Proverbs 7:10

10 et ecce mulier occurrit illi ornatu meretricio praeparata ad capiendas animas garrula et vaga

Proverbs 7:10 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 7:10

And, behold, there met him a woman
A married woman, and an adulteress, as the following account of her shows; as soon as ever she discerned the young man before described, who she knew, by his air, walk, and dress, was a fit person for her turn, she at once set out from her house, or the corner where she stood, and met him; she did not wait till he came up and made his suit to her, but she went out, and first attacked him; wherefore the word "behold" is prefixed as a note of admiration at the impudence of the woman, and as a note of attention to observe the consequence of this affair. This woman represents the woman on a scarlet-coloured beast, the mother of harlots, who, though she pretends to be the spouse of Christ, is an arrant whore, ( Revelation 17:3 Revelation 17:5 ) ; [with] the attire of a harlot;
not with her face veiled, as Tamar was, ( Genesis 38:14 Genesis 38:15 ) ; for though that might be the sign of a harlot in the daytime, yet not in the night, as this was; rather with showy gaudy garments, such as the Athenian whores wore, or short ones, as the Romans; the word signifies one fitted to her body, neat and well shaped, to recommend her: so the woman, the whore of Rome, is said to be arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls; signifying the outward pomp and splendour of the Romish religion, designed to captivate weak and unwary minds, (See Gill on Revelation 17:4); and subtle of heart;
mistress of all artful and intriguing methods to seduce and ensnare F7; or, "reserved of heart" F8, cautious and wary what she said, told everything that was encouraging, but kept back what was discouraging; or she kept her own heart to herself, while she stole the hearts of others; so the Targum renders it,

``which takes away the hearts of young men;''
and to the same purpose are the versions of the Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic: the subtlety of the popes, priests, jesuits, and other emissaries of Rome, to deceive the hearts of the simple, is well known; the coming of antichrist was after the working of Satan, with all deceivableness of unrighteousness, ( 2 Thessalonians 2:9 2 Thessalonians 2:10 ) .
FOOTNOTES:

F7 "Fallendique vias mille ministret amor", Tibullus ad Junonem, 6. v. 12.
F8 (bl trun) "cauta corde", Tigurine version, Mercerus: Gejerus; "retento corde", Cocceius.

Proverbs 7:10 In-Context

8 qui transit in platea iuxta angulum et propter viam domus illius graditur
9 in obscuro advesperascente die in noctis tenebris et caligine
10 et ecce mulier occurrit illi ornatu meretricio praeparata ad capiendas animas garrula et vaga
11 quietis inpatiens nec valens in domo consistere pedibus suis
12 nunc foris nunc in plateis nunc iuxta angulos insidians
The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.