Proverbs 7:15

KJV

Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore came I forth {H3318} to meet {H7125} thee, diligently to seek {H7836} thy face {H6440}, and I have found {H4672} thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

This is why I came out to meet you, to look for you; now I've found you.

Berean Standard Bible

So I came out to meet you; I sought you, and I have found you.

American Standard Version

Therefore came I forth to meet thee, Diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 7:15 captures the cunning and manipulative rhetoric of the "strange woman," a personification of folly and moral danger, as she actively lures a naive young man into her trap. Her words, "Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee," are a masterclass in deceptive flattery, designed to make the victim feel uniquely desired and to validate his presence, thereby disarming his defenses and drawing him deeper into her destructive embrace. This verse highlights the immediate, personal, and seemingly providential nature of temptation when it is most dangerous.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 7:15 is an integral part of a vivid, extended cautionary narrative (Proverbs 7:6-27), presented by the father-figure of wisdom to his son. This specific verse is spoken by the "strange woman," who embodies the seductive and destructive nature of illicit desire and moral compromise. Immediately preceding this verse, in [Proverbs 7:14](/proverbs/7-14 "Proverbs 7:14 - The Woman's Peace Offerings"), she claims to have made peace offerings and fulfilled her vows, suggesting she is ritually clean and has an abundance of food from the sacrifice. This detail is crucial, as it provides a veneer of religious legitimacy and an enticing invitation to a feast, making her subsequent proposition in [Proverbs 7:15](/proverbs/7-15 "Proverbs 7:15 - The Woman's Seductive Invitation") seem less scandalous and more appealing to the unsuspecting youth. The narrative meticulously details her calculated approach, from her attire and demeanor to her persuasive words, all designed to ensnare the "simple" or "naive" young man described in [Proverbs 7:7](/proverbs/7-7 "Proverbs 7:7 - The Naive Youth").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israelite society, a woman's public behavior was typically modest and circumspect. For a woman to actively "come forth to meet" a man in the streets, especially at night, and engage in such forward, seductive speech, would have been highly transgressive and indicative of her immoral character. The mention of "peace offerings" (Hebrew: *zebah shelamim*) in the preceding verse is deeply significant. These sacrifices were communal meals shared with God and fellow worshippers, often involving a portion of the meat being returned to the offerer for a celebratory feast. By claiming to have just completed such an offering, the strange woman attempts to cloak her illicit invitation in a guise of piety and hospitality, leveraging a sacred ritual for profane ends. This cultural backdrop underscores the brazenness of her deception and the depth of her moral perversion, as she uses culturally respected practices to facilitate sin.
* **Key Themes:** Proverbs 7:15 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Proverbs and this specific chapter. One dominant theme is **Deceptive Seduction**, where the strange woman's words exemplify how temptation often presents itself with an attractive, personalized, and seemingly providential appeal. Her declaration, "diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee," is a masterclass in **The Trap of Flattery**, playing on the human desire to feel special, sought after, and validated. This is contrasted sharply with the genuine pursuit of wisdom, which is portrayed as life-giving throughout [Proverbs](/proverbs "The Book of Proverbs - Wisdom for Life"). Another crucial theme is **Feigned Piety**, as the woman's reference to peace offerings in [Proverbs 7:14](/proverbs/7-14 "Proverbs 7:14 - The Woman's Peace Offerings") attempts to legitimize her immoral intentions with a veneer of religious observance, highlighting how sin can masquerade as something good or acceptable. Finally, the verse underscores the **Imminent Danger** of temptation; it is not an abstract threat but a tangible, personal encounter that demands immediate discernment and resistance, as warned by the dire consequences outlined in [Proverbs 7:27](/proverbs/7-27 "Proverbs 7:27 - The Path to Destruction").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **came I forth (Hebrew, _yâtsâʼ_):** This primitive root signifies "to go out" or "to come forth," often with an implication of intentionality or purpose. In this context, it highlights the strange woman's proactive and deliberate movement to intercept the young man. She didn't stumble upon him; she actively "came forth" with a specific agenda, emphasizing her predatory nature and the calculated effort behind her seduction.
* **diligently to seek (Hebrew, _shâchar_):** This verb literally means "to dawn" or "to be (up) early," and by extension, "to search for with painstaking earnestness." When used in a positive sense, it describes an intense, devoted, and early pursuit, often of God's presence or favor. Here, the strange woman perverts this concept, applying the language of earnest, almost worshipful, devotion to her pursuit of a victim for illicit purposes, making her deception even more insidious.
* **thy face (Hebrew, _pânîym_):** This word, often translated as "face," is used in a wide variety of applications, including presence, countenance, or personal attention. The phrase "to seek one's face" is an idiom for seeking the presence, favor, counsel, or attention of another. In the context of the strange woman's words, it implies a deep, personal, and urgent desire for the young man's specific presence, making him feel uniquely important and validating his encounter with her.
* **found (Hebrew, _mâtsâʼ_):** This primitive root means "to attain," "to find," "to acquire," or "to meet." In the strange woman's declaration, "I have found thee," it conveys a sense of discovery, fulfillment, and perhaps even destiny. She presents his appearance not as a coincidence, but as the fortunate culmination of her earnest search, further enhancing the flattery and creating a sense of preordained connection.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore came I forth to meet thee":** This clause reveals the strange woman's active and intentional pursuit. Her appearance is not accidental but a calculated move. The "therefore" links back to her preparations (the peace offerings in [Proverbs 7:14](/proverbs/7-14 "Proverbs 7:14 - The Woman's Peace Offerings")), suggesting her readiness to host a feast and, more sinisterly, to find a companion for her illicit desires. She presents herself as someone who has specifically sought him out, creating an immediate sense of personal attention and importance for the young man.
* **"diligently to seek thy face":** This is the heart of her manipulative flattery. By using language typically reserved for earnest spiritual seeking (e.g., seeking God's face), she elevates her base desires to a seemingly profound and devoted quest. She implies that she has been eagerly, even painstakingly, looking for someone exactly like him, making him feel uniquely desired and validated. This perversion of sacred language is designed to disarm his moral judgment and appeal to his vanity.
* **"and I have found thee":** This triumphant declaration seals her deceptive invitation. It conveys a sense of destiny and immediate gratification. She presents his arrival as the fulfillment of her earnest search, creating an illusion of a fated, perfect encounter. This statement pressures the young man to reciprocate her feigned enthusiasm and to act on the perceived "opportunity" without further reflection, leading him directly into her trap.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 7:15 is rich in **Seductive Rhetoric** and **Flattery**, as the strange woman employs highly manipulative language to ensnare her victim. Her words are crafted to appeal directly to the young man's ego, making him feel uniquely desired and the object of her earnest search. There is profound **Irony** in her use of phrases like "diligently to seek thy face," which in other biblical contexts refers to sincere spiritual devotion (e.g., [Psalm 27:8](/psalms/27-8 "Psalm 27:8 - Seeking God's Face")), but here is twisted for profane, immoral purposes. This **Perversion of Sacred Language** highlights the insidious nature of temptation, which often masquerades as something good, spiritual, or even divinely sanctioned. The strange woman herself is a powerful **Personification** of Folly and moral danger throughout [Proverbs 7](/proverbs/7 "Proverbs 7 - The Dangers of the Adulteress"), and her monologue in this verse is a dramatic illustration of how sin can present itself as an attractive, personal, and urgent opportunity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Proverbs 7:15 serves as a profound theological warning about the nature of temptation and the critical importance of discernment. It illustrates how sin, personified by the strange woman, does not always appear overtly evil but often cloaks itself in appealing, even seemingly virtuous, language. The woman's manipulative use of "diligently to seek thy face"—a phrase often associated with seeking God's presence—highlights the perversion of spiritual concepts for selfish and destructive ends. This teaches us that evil can be deeply deceptive, preying on human desires for affirmation and connection, and presenting itself as a unique, providential opportunity. The verse underscores the constant spiritual battle between wisdom, which calls for careful discernment and self-control, and folly, which lures with immediate gratification and deceptive promises.

* [Psalm 27:8](/psalms/27-8 "Psalm 27:8 - Seeking God's Face") - "When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek." (Illustrates the proper, positive context of "seeking the face.")
* [Matthew 7:15](/matthew/7-15 "Matthew 7:15 - Beware of False Prophets") - "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." (Highlights the deceptive appearance of danger.)
* [2 Corinthians 11:14](/2_corinthians/11-14 "2 Corinthians 11:14 - Satan Disguises as Angel of Light") - "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light." (Emphasizes the deceptive nature of evil, mirroring the strange woman's tactics.)

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 7:15 offers timeless insights into the subtle yet potent tactics of temptation, urging us to cultivate keen spiritual discernment in our own lives. The strange woman's approach—personal, flattering, and seemingly providential—mirrors how many temptations operate today. They often appeal to our deepest desires for acceptance, significance, or immediate gratification, presenting themselves as unique opportunities rather than dangerous pitfalls. We are called to be wary of smooth words and flattery that might disarm our defenses, and to look beyond the surface appeal of an offer or relationship to discern its true nature and underlying motives. The urgency implied by her "I have found thee" also reminds us that temptation often demands an immediate, unthinking response, leaving no room for prayerful reflection or consulting with the wisdom of God's Word. Therefore, guarding our hearts and our minds with truth and discernment, as exhorted throughout [Proverbs](/proverbs "The Book of Proverbs - Wisdom for Life"), is paramount to navigating the deceptive lures of the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I discern between genuine affirmation and manipulative flattery in my own life or in the messages I encounter?**
* **In what ways might temptation present itself with a "religious" or "legitimate" veneer today, similar to the strange woman's use of peace offerings?**
* **What steps can I take to cultivate a heart of wisdom and discernment, as opposed to the naivety of the young man in this narrative?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the phrase "diligently to seek thy face" in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "diligently to seek thy face" (Hebrew: *shâchar pânîym*) is highly significant because it is a common biblical idiom for earnestly seeking the presence, favor, or counsel of someone, most notably God. For example, [Psalm 27:8](/psalms/27-8 "Psalm 27:8 - Seeking God's Face") says, "When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek." In Proverbs 7:15, the strange woman twists this sacred language of sincere devotion and earnest pursuit, applying it to her pursuit of a victim for illicit purposes. This perversion makes her deception even more insidious, cloaking her base intentions in a veneer of deep, almost worshipful, desire for the young man, which is entirely false and designed to manipulate him.

**How does Proverbs 7:15 relate to the "peace offerings" mentioned in the previous verse?**

Answer: Proverbs 7:15 directly follows the strange woman's declaration in [Proverbs 7:14](/proverbs/7-14 "Proverbs 7:14 - The Woman's Peace Offerings") that she has made peace offerings and fulfilled her vows. This connection is crucial to understanding her manipulative strategy. Peace offerings (Hebrew: *zebah shelamim*) were a type of sacrifice in ancient Israel that involved a communal meal, where portions of the sacrificed animal were returned to the offerer to be eaten in a celebratory feast. By mentioning these offerings, the strange woman attempts to: 1) project an image of piety and ritual cleanliness, making her seem respectable; 2) imply that she has an abundance of food, thus providing a legitimate-sounding reason for inviting the young man to her home for a feast; and 3) create an atmosphere of celebration and well-being, disarming his suspicions. Her "coming forth" and "diligently seeking" him in [Proverbs 7:15](/proverbs/7-15 "Proverbs 7:15 - The Woman's Seductive Invitation") is the direct outcome of her "preparations" in [Proverbs 7:14](/proverbs/7-14 "Proverbs 7:14 - The Woman's Peace Offerings"), making her seduction appear not as a sinful tryst but as a divinely sanctioned or at least socially legitimate invitation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 7:15, with its portrayal of the strange woman's deceptive seduction, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the stark contrast between the manipulative allure of sin and the genuine, life-giving invitation of Jesus Christ. The strange woman "came forth to meet" the young man with a facade of earnest seeking, but her true intent was destruction, leading to "the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death" ([Proverbs 7:27](/proverbs/7-27 "Proverbs 7:27 - The Path to Destruction")). In profound contrast, Jesus truly "came forth" from the Father, not to deceive or destroy, but "to seek and to save that which was lost" ([Luke 19:10](/luke/19-10 "Luke 19:10 - The Son of Man Came to Seek and Save the Lost")). While the woman feigns a diligent search for a victim, Christ truly "found" humanity in its lostness, offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice. He is the embodiment of true Wisdom, unlike the folly personified by the strange woman ([1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ the Power and Wisdom of God")), and His invitation is not a trap but a call to abundant life: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" ([Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")). The "face" of God, which the strange woman's words pervert, is truly revealed in the person of Jesus Christ, in whom "the light of the knowledge of the glory of God" shines forth without deception ([2 Corinthians 4:6](/2_corinthians/4-6 "2 Corinthians 4:6 - The Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ")). He genuinely seeks and finds us, not for His own gain, but to draw us into eternal communion and deliver us from the path of destruction.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.