Proverbs 7:17

Commentary on Proverbs 7:17 (KJV)

The verse Proverbs 7:17 is part of a vivid cautionary tale presented by a father to his son, warning against the dangers of sexual immorality and the allure of the "strange woman" or adulteress. In this particular verse, the woman herself speaks, describing the enticing atmosphere she has created to ensnare her victim.

Context

This verse is embedded within Proverbs chapter 7, a dramatic narrative illustrating the deceptive and destructive nature of temptation. The preceding verses (Proverbs 7:10-16) describe her brazen appearance and cunning invitation. Here, she details the sensual preparations she has made to lure the unsuspecting young man. The entire chapter serves as a stark contrast between the path of wisdom and the perilous path of folly and sin.

Key Themes

• Seduction and Enticement: The primary theme is the deliberate creation of an enticing environment to facilitate illicit encounters. The perfumes are a tool in her arsenal of seduction, aiming to overwhelm the senses and cloud judgment.
• Sensory Allure of Sin: This verse highlights how sin often appeals powerfully to the senses. The use of exotic and expensive fragrances—myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon—speaks to a calculated effort to create an atmosphere of luxury, pleasure, and intimacy, making the forbidden seem irresistible.
• Luxury and Extravagance: Myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon were valuable, imported commodities in the ancient Near East. Their presence signifies opulence and indulgence, painting a picture of a lavish setting designed to impress and disarm.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew words for "myrrh" (mōr), "aloes" (ʼahālōṯ), and "cinnamon" (qinnāmôn) refer to highly prized aromatic substances. Myrrh was a fragrant resin often used in perfumes, embalming, and anointing oils (e.g., John 19:39). Aloes, in this context, likely refers to a fragrant wood from the aquilaria tree, known for its sweet aroma when burned. Cinnamon was a sought-after spice and perfume. The combination of these specific scents would have created a rich, heady, and unmistakably sensual aroma, designed to be deeply intoxicating.

Practical Application

Proverbs 7:17 offers timeless warnings for believers today:

• Discernment of Temptation: Recognize that temptation rarely appears overtly evil. Instead, it often comes cloaked in attractive guises, appealing to our desires for pleasure, comfort, or excitement. Just as the strange woman used perfumes to mask her true intentions, sin often presents itself alluringly.
• Guard Your Senses: The verse reminds us to be vigilant about what we allow to influence our senses and minds. What we see, hear, smell, and consume can profoundly impact our spiritual state and lead us down paths of compromise. This calls for guarding our hearts with all diligence.
• Understand the Path of Folly: This vivid imagery serves as a powerful reminder of the destructive end that follows the pursuit of illicit pleasures. The temporary sensory gratification offered by sin ultimately leads to bitter consequences, as the chapter concludes with the victim being led "as an ox goeth to the slaughter" (Proverbs 7:22) and to the "ways of hell" (Proverbs 7:27).