Proverbs 7:22

KJV

He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;

KJV (with Strong's)

He goeth {H1980} after {H310} her straightway {H6597}, as an ox {H7794} goeth {H935} to the slaughter {H2874}, or as a fool {H191} to the correction {H4148} of the stocks {H5914};

Complete Jewish Bible

At once he follows her like an ox on its way to be slaughtered; like a fool to be punished in the stocks;

Berean Standard Bible

He follows her on impulse, like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer bounding into a trap,

American Standard Version

He goeth after her straightway, As an ox goeth to the slaughter, Or asone infetters to the correction of the fool;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 7:22 vividly illustrates the perilous and often unwitting descent of a naive individual into destruction, likening their impulsive pursuit of temptation to an ox unknowingly heading to slaughter or a fool stubbornly walking into inevitable punishment. This verse serves as a stark warning within the broader context of wisdom's call, emphasizing the swift, thoughtless, and ultimately devastating consequences of succumbing to the allure of sexual immorality. It underscores the profound blindness of folly and the inescapable nature of sin's repercussions.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within a father's extended and urgent admonition to his son against the perils of the adulteress, spanning from [Proverbs 5](/proverbs/5 "Proverbs 5 - Warnings Against Adultery") through [Proverbs 7](/proverbs/7 "Proverbs 7 - The Alluring Adulteress"). Specifically, [Proverbs 7:6-21](/proverbs/7-6 "Proverbs 7:6-21 - The Seductress's Lure") meticulously details the seductive tactics of the "strange woman": her attire, her flattering and deceptive words, her calculated timing, and her bold promises. The young man, depicted as "void of understanding" ([Proverbs 7:7](/proverbs/7-7 "Proverbs 7:7 - The Naive Youth")), is shown to be easily swayed, following her "straightway" without hesitation. [Proverbs 7:22](/proverbs/7-22 "Proverbs 7:22 - The Path to Destruction") functions as a powerful, chilling simile that climaxes the narrative of the seduction, emphasizing the dire and often unforeseen consequences for those who fall prey to such enticements. It directly precedes the chapter's final, sobering admonition to heed wisdom's call and avoid her path, lest one suffer the fate of her many victims ([Proverbs 7:23-27](/proverbs/7-23 "Proverbs 7:23-27 - The Bitter End")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israelite society, sexual fidelity was a cornerstone of the covenant community, and adultery was considered a grave offense with severe social, legal, and spiritual ramifications. The imagery of the "ox goeth to the slaughter" would have been immediately understood by an agrarian society, symbolizing an innocent, powerful, yet unwitting creature being led to its demise, a common and grim reality. The "stocks" (`ʻekeç`) were a familiar instrument of public punishment and humiliation, typically used to restrain criminals by their feet or neck, causing discomfort and public shame. This punishment underscored the societal condemnation of certain behaviors. The father's warning reflects the patriarchal structure where the transmission of wisdom and moral instruction from father to son was paramount for the preservation of family honor, community integrity, and individual well-being. The vivid, visceral imagery employed in this proverb was designed to shock and impress upon the listener the gravity of the danger, making the abstract concept of sin's consequences tangible and terrifying.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent throughout the book of Proverbs. Firstly, it highlights **The Blindness and Peril of Folly**, contrasting sharply with the discerning path of wisdom. The young man's immediate and thoughtless pursuit of the adulteress exemplifies the "void of understanding" ([Proverbs 7:7](/proverbs/7-7 "Proverbs 7:7 - The Naive Youth")) that characterizes folly, leading him unknowingly to destruction. Secondly, it underscores the **Inevitable and Painful Consequences of Sin**. The comparison to the ox and the fool vividly portrays the inescapable repercussions for those who disregard divine wisdom and moral boundaries. Just as a fool repeatedly faces punishment due to their lack of understanding or refusal to learn ([Proverbs 10:13](/proverbs/10-13 "Proverbs 10:13 - The Rod for the Fool's Back")), so too does the one ensnared by lust face severe and painful consequences. Finally, the verse emphasizes the **Destructive Nature of Sexual Immorality**. Proverbs consistently warns against this specific sin, portraying it not merely as a moral lapse but as a path leading to profound ruin—social disgrace, financial ruin, physical decay, and spiritual death ([Proverbs 5:5](/proverbs/5-5 "Proverbs 5:5 - Her Steps Lead to Death") and [Proverbs 6:26-29](/proverbs/6-26 "Proverbs 6:26-29 - The Cost of Adultery")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **goeth (Hebrew, _hâlak'_):** This primitive root signifies movement in a vast array of applications, both literal and figurative, including to "walk," "come," "depart," or "follow." In Proverbs 7:22, its use emphasizes the active, albeit misguided, progression of the young man. He is not merely passive but actively "going" or "walking" after the seductress, highlighting his complicity and the deliberate nature of his fatal trajectory, even if he is unaware of the destination. The immediacy of "straightway" combined with "goeth" paints a picture of unthinking, direct movement towards peril.
* **slaughter (Hebrew, _ṭebach'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to slaughter," this word refers to something butchered, a beast for killing, or abstractly, the act or place of butchery. It is a stark and brutal term, evoking images of violence, death, and irreversible destruction. When applied to the young man's fate, it powerfully conveys the ultimate and terminal consequence of his actions, suggesting not just harm, but the complete ruin or end of his well-being, reputation, or even life, much like an animal's life ends at the slaughterhouse.
* **fool (Hebrew, _ʼĕvîyl'_):** This term describes someone who is "silly" or "perverse," stemming from an unused root that implies perversity. Unlike the simpleton (pethi), the `ʼĕvîyl` is characterized by a fundamental lack of moral and spiritual understanding, often accompanied by stubbornness and an unwillingness to learn from instruction or experience. Their foolishness is not merely intellectual deficiency but a moral failing that leads them consistently into trouble and punishment. The comparison to such a "fool" underscores the young man's moral blindness and his self-destructive trajectory, as he actively chooses a path that will inevitably lead to painful correction.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He goeth after her straightway,"**: This clause immediately establishes the young man's swift and unhesitating pursuit of the adulteress. The term "straightway" (Hebrew: _pithʼôwm_) emphasizes the suddenness, immediacy, and lack of deliberation in his actions. He is drawn in an instant, without pausing to consider the implications or consequences, highlighting his naiveté and susceptibility to temptation.
* **"as an ox goeth to the slaughter,"**: This powerful simile portrays the young man as utterly oblivious to the danger he is approaching. Like an ox, a creature of strength and utility, yet unaware of its impending doom as it is led to the slaughterhouse, the young man is blindly walking towards his own destruction. This imagery underscores his lack of foresight, his innocence regarding the true nature of the seduction, and the inevitability of his tragic end if he continues on this path.
* **"or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;"**: This second simile reinforces the theme of inevitable punishment and the self-inflicted nature of the consequences. A "fool" (Hebrew: _ʼĕvîyl_) is someone who lacks wisdom and moral understanding, often acting perversely and disregarding instruction. Such a person is bound to face "correction" (Hebrew: _mûwçâr_), which implies discipline, chastisement, or instruction, often through painful experience. The "stocks" (Hebrew: _ʻekeç_) signify a public and humiliating form of restraint and punishment, indicating that the consequences of his folly will be painful, inescapable, and potentially public.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 7:22 is rich with **Simile**, using two distinct comparisons to convey its powerful message. The first, "as an ox goeth to the slaughter," vividly illustrates the victim's unwitting and inevitable progression towards destruction, highlighting his innocence and the grim certainty of his fate. The second, "or as a fool to the correction of the stocks," further emphasizes the self-inflicted nature of the consequences and the painful, inescapable discipline that awaits those who choose folly over wisdom. The use of **Imagery** throughout the verse is highly effective, painting a stark and memorable picture of an innocent animal led to butchery and a stubborn fool shackled in public punishment. This visceral imagery evokes a strong emotional response, underscoring the severity of the danger. There is also an element of **Foreshadowing**, as the verse predicts the bitter end of those who fall prey to the seductress, setting the stage for the explicit warnings of ruin in the subsequent verses. Finally, a subtle **Irony** is present: the young man believes he is embarking on a pleasurable adventure, but the proverb reveals he is, in fact, walking directly into a trap that will lead to pain and destruction, completely contrary to his expectations.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Proverbs 7:22 stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of sin, particularly sexual sin, and its inevitable consequences. It underscores the biblical principle that actions have repercussions, and that a life lived apart from wisdom and divine instruction leads to self-destruction. The imagery of the ox to the slaughter speaks to the often-unseen spiritual dangers of sin, where the allure of immediate gratification blinds one to the ultimate cost. The fool's journey to the stocks highlights the justice of God's moral order, where disobedience eventually brings about painful correction, whether through natural consequences, societal judgment, or divine discipline. This proverb reminds us that God's warnings are not arbitrary restrictions but loving safeguards designed to protect us from paths that lead to ruin, reflecting His character as a God of both righteousness and mercy.

* [Proverbs 5:22-23](/proverbs/5-22 "Proverbs 5:22-23 - Caught in His Own Iniquities")
* [Proverbs 6:32-35](/proverbs/6-32 "Proverbs 6:32-35 - The Ruin of Adultery")
* [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 7:22 serves as a timeless and urgent warning, compelling us to cultivate spiritual discernment and moral vigilance in a world filled with alluring temptations. It challenges us to look beyond immediate gratification and consider the long-term, often devastating, consequences of choices made in haste or ignorance. The vivid imagery of the ox and the fool reminds us that our actions, especially those driven by unbridled desires, can lead us down a path of irreversible destruction, even if we are initially unaware of the danger. Therefore, the application is clear: we must actively seek wisdom, heed biblical counsel, and develop a strong moral compass rooted in God's Word. This involves not only avoiding obvious pitfalls but also cultivating a heart that desires righteousness and understands the deceptive nature of sin. It calls for introspection, self-control, and a willingness to learn from the experiences of others, ensuring that we do not, like the naive young man, walk blindly into our own undoing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "straightway" temptations do I face in my life that, if pursued without discernment, could lead to unforeseen destruction?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be acting like the "ox going to the slaughter," oblivious to the long-term consequences of my current choices?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater "understanding" and resist the "foolish" tendency to disregard wise counsel and biblical warnings?**
* **What practical steps can I take to strengthen my spiritual defenses against subtle or overt temptations that promise pleasure but deliver pain?**

### FAQ
**What does the "correction of the stocks" signify in this proverb?**

Answer: The "correction of the stocks" refers to a form of public punishment and restraint used in ancient times, typically involving a wooden device that locked a person's feet or neck, causing discomfort, pain, and public humiliation. In Proverbs 7:22, it signifies the painful, inescapable, and often public consequences that await those who persist in foolish and immoral behavior. Just as a fool's stubbornness inevitably leads to disciplinary action, so too does the path of sexual immorality lead to severe repercussions, whether social disgrace, personal suffering, or divine judgment. It underscores that sin's "wages" ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin")) are not merely abstract but have tangible, painful manifestations.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 7:22, with its stark imagery of an unwitting victim heading to slaughter and a fool to punishment, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the proverb warns against the self-destructive path of folly and sin, Christ embodies the perfect wisdom that the young man lacks. He is the very **Wisdom of God** personified ([1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ the Power and Wisdom of God")), who perfectly navigated every temptation without succumbing to sin ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus Tempted in Every Way")). Furthermore, the imagery of the "ox goeth to the slaughter" chillingly foreshadows Christ's own sacrificial journey. He, the innocent Lamb of God ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), willingly went to His own "slaughter" on the cross, not as a victim of His own folly, but as the atoning sacrifice for the folly and sin of humanity. He bore the "correction of the stocks"—the public shame, the physical pain, and the divine judgment—that was due to us, the true fools who had strayed from God's path ([Isaiah 53:5-6](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5-6 - He Was Pierced for Our Transgressions")). Through His voluntary suffering and death, Christ broke the chains of sin that lead to destruction, offering true freedom and life to all who, by faith, turn from their folly and embrace Him as their wisdom and salvation ([Romans 8:1-2](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1-2 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")).

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.

Cross-References

Job 13:27

Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks, and lookest narrowly unto all my paths; thou settest a print upon the heels of my feet.

Acts 16:24

Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

Jeremiah 20:2

Then Pashur smote Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that [were] in the high gate of Benjamin, which [was] by the house of the LORD.

Acts 14:13

Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.