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Study this verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Proverbs 7:24–27.
We have here the application of the foregoing story: "Hearken to me therefore, and not to such seducers (Pro 7:24); give ear to a father, and not to an enemy." 1. "Take good counsel when it is given you. Let not thy heart decline to her ways (Pro 7:25); never leave the paths of virtue, though strait and narrow, solitary and up-hill, for the way of the adulteress, though green, and broad, and crowded with company. Do not only keep thy feet from those ways, but let not so much as thy heart incline to them; never harbour a disposition this way, nor think otherwise than with abhorrence of such wicked practices as these. Let reason, and conscience, and the fear of God ruling in the heart, check the inclinations of the sensual appetite. If thou goest in her paths, in any of the paths that lead to this sin, thou goest astray, thou art out of the right way, the safe way; therefore take heed, go not astray, lest thou wander endlessly." 2. "Take fair warning when it is given you." (1.) "Look back, and see what mischief this sin has done. The adulteress has been the ruin not of here and there one, but she has cast down many wounded." Thousands have been undone, now and for ever, by this sin; and those not only the weak and simple youths, such as he was of whom he had now spoken, but many strong men have been slain by her, Pro 7:26. Herein, perhaps, he has an eye especially to Samson, who was slain by this sin, and perhaps to David too, who by this sin entailed a sword upon his house, though so far the Lord took it away that he himself should not die. These were men not only of great bodily strength, but of eminent wisdom and courage, and yet their fleshly lusts prevailed over them. Howl, fir-trees, if the cedars be shaken. Let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. (2.) "Look forward with an eye of faith, and see what will be in the end of it," Pro 7:27. Her house, though richly decked and furnished, and called a house of pleasure, is the way to hell; and her chambers are the stair-case that goes down to the chambers of death and everlasting darkness. The cup of fornication must shortly be exchanged for the cup of trembling; and the flames of lust, if not quenched by repentance and mortification, will burn to the lowest hell. Therefore stand in awe and sin not.
Historical interpretation
Five Centuries of Reception
2 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
You have seen her mischief. Wait not to admit the rising of lust; for her death is everlasting. And for the rest, by her words, her arguments in sooth, she wounds, and by her sins she kills those who yield to her. For many are the forms of wickedness that lead the foolish down to hell. And the chambers of death mean either its depths or its treasure. How, then, is escape possible?
And all the mighty men were slain by her. As Solomon himself, the wisest of men, as Samson, the strongest, as David, the most gentle, were ensnared by the trap of women, just as Origen was by heretical doctrine, whom whoever denies to have been a master of the Church after the apostles, while he thought rightly, errs.
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Summary
Proverbs 7:26 delivers a stark and graphic warning against the destructive power of the "strange woman," personifying illicit sexual temptation. It vividly portrays her as a formidable adversary who brings ruin and death to countless individuals, emphasizing that even those considered strong and resilient are not immune to her seductive and ultimately fatal influence. The verse underscores the severe, often irreversible, consequences of succumbing to folly and immorality, painting a picture of widespread devastation akin to a battlefield where many lie wounded and slain, highlighting the universal and indiscriminate nature of her destructive reach.
Context
Literary Context
Proverbs 7:26 is situated within a lengthy and vivid cautionary narrative (Proverbs 7:6-27) where a father, representing wisdom, meticulously warns his son about the perils of the adulteress. This specific verse serves as the climactic statement regarding the devastating outcome for those ensnared by her. It immediately follows the father's urgent plea in Proverbs 7:25 not to let one's heart stray into her ways or wander into her paths. The preceding verses detail her cunning tactics, deceptive words, and alluring appearance, making the consequences described in verse 26 the inevitable culmination of her destructive influence. This narrative is part of a broader section (Proverbs 5-7) that focuses intensely on the dangers of sexual immorality, contrasting it sharply with the life-giving path of wisdom and demonstrating the bitter fruit of disobedience.
Historical & Cultural Context
In ancient Israel, as in many patriarchal societies, the family and community structure were paramount. Adultery, particularly by a woman, was a grave offense that threatened the social fabric, lineage, and economic stability of a household. The "strange woman" (Hebrew: 'ishshah zarah or nokriyyah), often translated as "foreign woman" or "adulteress," could refer to a non-Israelite woman or, more commonly in Proverbs, a woman who deviates from the moral and social norms, particularly regarding marital fidelity and covenant faithfulness. Her actions were seen as a direct assault on the covenant community and the divine order. Wisdom literature, like Proverbs, functioned as practical instruction for living a righteous and prosperous life within this cultural framework, emphasizing the importance of sexual purity, marital faithfulness, and the avoidance of behaviors that could lead to societal breakdown or personal ruin. The imagery of "wounded" and "slain" draws upon the common experience of warfare and its devastating toll, making the consequences of immorality tangible and universally understood within a society familiar with conflict.
Key Themes
This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Proverbs. Firstly, it highlights the Destructive Power of Folly and Sin, particularly sexual immorality, portraying it not as a minor transgression but as a force capable of inflicting profound and widespread harm, even death. This theme is echoed throughout the book, contrasting the path of the wicked with the path of the righteous, as seen in Proverbs 4:18-19. Secondly, it underscores Universal Vulnerability, suggesting that no one, regardless of their perceived strength or status ("many strong men"), is inherently immune to the insidious allure of temptation. This emphasizes the need for constant vigilance and reliance on divine wisdom for protection, a principle reinforced in Proverbs 28:26. Finally, the verse reinforces the theme of Consequences and Retribution, illustrating that choices have direct and often severe outcomes. The "strange woman" is not merely a temptress but an agent of destruction, and her victims face dire results, a principle foundational to the wisdom tradition (e.g., Proverbs 2:18-19).
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
A primitive root meaning "to fall," with a vast array of applications. Here, it is used causatively (Hiphil stem), meaning "to cause to fall" or "to throw down." In the context of "many wounded," it implies bringing about their downfall, ruin, or destruction, suggesting a powerful and decisive action that leads to a state of being utterly defeated or incapacitated, often with a sense of violent overthrow.
Derived from the root châlal ("to pierce"), this term refers to someone "pierced (especially to death)" or "slain." Figuratively, it can also mean "polluted" or "profaned." In this verse, it vividly describes the victims as those who have been fatally or severely injured, often implying a violent and decisive blow, akin to a casualty of war, signifying a profound and often irreversible state of harm.
A primitive root meaning "to smite with deadly intent," "to kill," or "to murder." This word is even more definitive than "wounded," explicitly stating that the "strong men" have met their demise. It emphasizes the fatal outcome of succumbing to the seductress's influence, portraying her as an agent of death and underscoring the ultimate, irreversible consequence of her destructive power.
Verse Breakdown
"For she hath cast down many wounded:"
This clause presents the initial devastating impact of the "strange woman." The "she" refers to the personified temptation of the adulteress. The action "cast down" (Hebrew hippîlāh, from nâphal) signifies a forceful, deliberate act of bringing someone low, causing them to fall from a position of strength or integrity into a state of ruin or injury. "Many wounded" (Hebrew rabbîm ḥalālîm) emphasizes the widespread nature of her destruction, using imagery of those who are pierced or slain, like casualties on a battlefield. This suggests not just moral failure but profound, often physical, social, or spiritual devastation that leaves victims incapacitated and broken.
"yea, many strong [men] have been slain by her."
This second clause intensifies the warning, reiterating and amplifying the fatal consequences. The "yea" (Hebrew wĕ) introduces an emphatic confirmation, building upon the previous statement. "Many strong [men]" (Hebrew waʿăṣûmîm rabbîm) highlights that even individuals of great power, influence, or resilience are not immune to her destructive capabilities. The term "strong" (Hebrew ʿăṣûmîm) implies formidable, mighty individuals, suggesting that no human strength or wisdom is sufficient to withstand her without divine aid. The phrase "have been slain" (Hebrew hărûgêhā, from hârag) definitively states their demise, making it clear that her influence leads to death, whether literal, social, or spiritual. This reinforces the idea that her power is universal and her victims are numerous and diverse, spanning all strata of society.
Literary Devices
Proverbs 7:26 employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent warning. Personification is central, as the abstract concept of illicit sexual temptation is embodied in the "strange woman," allowing her to act as a cunning, predatory agent of destruction. This makes the threat tangible and relatable, transforming an abstract vice into a formidable adversary. The verse also utilizes Metaphor extensively, likening the consequences of succumbing to her to the casualties of warfare. Phrases like "cast down many wounded" and "many strong [men] have been slain" evoke vivid imagery of a battlefield, transforming moral failure into a deadly conflict where victims are left incapacitated or dead. This Hyperbole underscores the extreme and often irreversible nature of the damage caused by such sin, elevating its impact beyond mere moral transgression to a matter of life and death. Furthermore, the use of "many" and "strong men" suggests Synecdoche, where a part (strong men) represents a larger whole (all humanity, regardless of perceived strength), emphasizing the universal reach of this destructive force and the indiscriminate nature of its victims.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Proverbs 7:26 powerfully articulates the biblical principle that sin, particularly sexual immorality, is not a trivial matter but a force with deadly consequences. It aligns with the broader biblical narrative that portrays sin as an enemy that seeks to destroy life and sever relationship with God. The "strange woman" represents the allure of ungodly paths that promise pleasure but deliver ruin, a theme consistent from the Fall in Genesis 3 to the warnings in the New Testament. This verse underscores the wisdom tradition's emphasis on righteous living as a path to life and blessing, contrasting it with the path of folly that leads to death and destruction. It serves as a profound reminder that true wisdom involves discerning and fleeing from all forms of temptation that lead away from God's life-giving commands, highlighting the spiritual battle inherent in the pursuit of righteousness.
Reflection and Application
Proverbs 7:26 offers a timeless and sobering warning for all generations. In a world saturated with seductive imagery and messages that normalize or even glorify illicit relationships, this verse serves as a crucial counter-narrative. It reminds us that what appears alluring on the surface often conceals profound danger and devastating consequences. The "strange woman" can be understood not only as literal sexual temptation but also as any seductive force that promises immediate gratification but ultimately leads to spiritual, emotional, relational, and even physical ruin. For believers, this calls for vigilant self-guarding, cultivating discernment to recognize deceptive allure, and actively pursuing wisdom as a shield. It underscores the importance of guarding our hearts, minds, and eyes from anything that would lead us astray from God's path of life and integrity. True freedom and flourishing are found not in chasing fleeting desires but in steadfast adherence to divine truth, which protects us from the "slain" and "wounded" fate of those who fall prey to folly.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Who is the "strange woman" in Proverbs, and does this verse only apply to sexual sin?
The "strange woman" (Hebrew: 'ishshah zarah or nokriyyah) in Proverbs primarily refers to an adulteress or a woman who deviates from the moral and social norms of faithfulness within a covenant community. She embodies illicit sexual temptation and the dangers of unchastity. However, while the immediate context is sexual sin, the wisdom literature often uses specific examples to illustrate broader principles. The "strange woman" can also be understood as a powerful symbol of Folly itself, in contrast to Wisdom (personified as a woman in Proverbs 8). Therefore, the warning in Proverbs 7:26 extends beyond literal sexual immorality to encompass any seductive path of sin or disobedience that promises pleasure but delivers destruction, leading individuals astray from God's life-giving ways. It applies to any temptation that can "cast down" and "slay" one's spiritual vitality, relationships, or overall well-being, emphasizing the comprehensive ruin that sin brings.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Proverbs 7:26, with its stark portrayal of the "strange woman" as an agent of death, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the embodiment of true Wisdom. The "strange woman" represents the destructive power of sin and folly, leading humanity to be "wounded" and "slain" by its dominion, as Romans 6:23 declares that "the wages of sin is death." Humanity, even the "strongest," was utterly helpless against the spiritual death and separation from God wrought by sin. However, Jesus, as the incarnate Wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24), did not merely warn against sin's destructive power; He conquered it. He willingly allowed Himself to be "wounded" for our transgressions and "slain" on the cross (Isaiah 53:5) to pay the penalty for humanity's sin, thereby disarming the power of death and the grave (Colossians 2:15). Through His resurrection, Christ offers life and freedom to all who were "slain" by sin, transforming victims into victors and leading them on the path of true life that the "strange woman" could never offer (John 14:6). He is the ultimate Deliverer who rescues us from the fatal embrace of folly and leads us into eternal life, offering a wisdom that truly saves and preserves.