Proverbs 7:21

21 She bound him with many words; and she drew forth him with flatterings of lips. (And so she bound him with many words; and she drew him forth with the flattery from her lips.)

Proverbs 7:21 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 7:21

With her much fair speech she caused him to yield
Or, "to decline" from the right way: or, "inclined him" F4; his ear to listen to her, and his heart to go after her and along with her. This she did, by using a great many words, by her prolixity, and by some taking and striking expressions; lewd women are generally very talkative F5. It may be rendered, "by her much doctrine" F6, as the word is in ( Proverbs 4:2 ) ; so Jezebel calls herself a prophetess, and sets up for a teacher of men; and, by her false doctrine, deceives some that are called the servants of Christ to commit fornication, and eat things sacrificed to idols, ( Revelation 2:20 ) ; with the flattering of her lips she forced him;
to go along with her, not against his will, but with it: though at first there was some reluctance, conscience rose up and opposed; but her words, which were smoother than oil, found a way into his heart, and prevailed upon him to yield to her entreaties; he could no longer withstand her attacks, but surrendered to her; her charming voice, and flattering lips, had more effect upon him than her kisses; notwithstanding these he was reluctant, but could stand it out no longer against her alluring words and soothing language. With this compare the deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish through antichrist, ( 2 Thessalonians 2:10 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F4 (wtjh) "declinare facit eum", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus, Gejerus; "flexit", Tigurine version, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Mercerus, Michaelin; "inclinavit illum", Cocceius.
F5 "Verbosa gaudet Venus Ioquela", Catullus ad Camer. Ep. 53. v. 20.
F6 (hxql brb) "multitudine discipline suae", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "doctrinae suae", Michaelis.

Proverbs 7:21 In-Context

19 For mine husband is not in his house; he is gone (away) a full long way.
20 He took with him a bag of money; he shall turn again in to his house in the day of [the] full moon. (He took a bag of money with him; and he shall not return to his house until the day of the full moon.)
21 She bound him with many words; and she drew forth him with flatterings of lips. (And so she bound him with many words; and she drew him forth with the flattery from her lips.)
22 Anon he as an ox led to slain sacrifice followeth her, and as a jolly lamb and unknowing; and the fool knoweth not, that he is drawn to bonds, (And so at once he followeth her, like an ox led away to be slain for the offering, and like a jolly, and unknowing, lamb; and the fool knoweth not, that he is drawn into bonds,)
23 till an arrow pierce his maw. As if a bird hasteth to the snare; and knoweth not, that it is done of the peril of his life. (until an arrow pierce his belly. Yea, like a bird that hasteneth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is done at the peril of its own life.)
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.