Back to Proverbs 7

Proverbs 7:10-21

Behold, there a woman met him with the attire of a prostitute, and with crafty intent.

She is loud and defiant. Her feet don’t stay in her house.

Now she is in the streets, now in the squares, and lurking at every corner.

So she caught him, and kissed him. With an impudent face she said to him:

“Sacrifices of peace offerings are with me. Today I have paid my vows.

Therefore I came out to meet you, to diligently seek your face, and I have found you.

I have spread my couch with carpets of tapestry, with striped cloths of the yarn of Egypt.

I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

Come, let’s take our fill of loving until the morning. Let’s solace ourselves with loving.

For my husband isn’t at home. He has gone on a long journey.

He has taken a bag of money with him. He will come home at the full moon.”

With persuasive words, she led him astray. With the flattering of her lips, she seduced him.

World English Bible · Public Domain

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Parallel Translations

  • WEB World English Bible

    Behold, there a woman met him with the attire of a prostitute, and with crafty intent.

    She is loud and defiant. Her feet don’t stay in her house.

    Now she is in the streets, now in the squares, and lurking at every corner.

    So she caught him, and kissed him. With an impudent face she said to him:

    “Sacrifices of peace offerings are with me. Today I have paid my vows.

    Therefore I came out to meet you, to diligently seek your face, and I have found you.

    I have spread my couch with carpets of tapestry, with striped cloths of the yarn of Egypt.

    I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

    Come, let’s take our fill of loving until the morning. Let’s solace ourselves with loving.

    For my husband isn’t at home. He has gone on a long journey.

    He has taken a bag of money with him. He will come home at the full moon.”

    With persuasive words, she led him astray. With the flattering of her lips, she seduced him.

  • KJV King James Version

    And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.

    (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:

    Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)

    So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him,

    I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows.

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

    I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.

    I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

    Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.

    For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey:

    He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed.

    With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.

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  • JPS JPS Tanakh (1917)

    And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of a harlot, and wily of heart.

    She is riotous and rebellious, her feet abide not in her house;

    Now she is in the streets, now in the broad places, and lieth in wait at every corner.

    So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face she said unto him:

    'Sacrifices of peace-offerings were due from me; this day have I paid my vows.

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

    I have decked my couch with coverlets, with striped cloths of the yarn of Egypt.

    I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

    Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning; let us solace ourselves with loves.

    For my husband is not at home, he is gone a long journey;

    He hath taken the bag of money with him; he will come home at the full moon.'

    With her much fair speech she causeth him to yield, with the blandishment of her lips she enticeth him away.

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Cross-references (78)

  • Proverbs 9:13 (v11) The foolish woman is loud, undisciplined, and knows nothing.
  • Proverbs 5:3 (v21) For the lips of an adulteress drip honey. Her mouth is smoother than oil,
  • Isaiah 3:16-24 (v10) Moreover Yahweh said, “Because the daughters of Zion are arrogant, and walk with outstretched necks and flirting eyes, walking to trip as…
  • 2 Corinthians 11:2-3 (v10) For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy. For I married you to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ. But…
  • 1 Timothy 2:9 (v10) In the same way, that women also adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and propriety, not just with braided hair, gold, pearls,…
Show all 78 cross-references
  • Titus 2:5 (v11) to be sober minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that God’s word may not be blasphemed.
  • 2 Kings 9:30 (v10) When Jehu had come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her eyes, and adorned her head, and looked out at the window.
  • Psalms 45:8 (v17) All your garments smell like myrrh, aloes, and cassia. Out of ivory palaces stringed instruments have made you glad.
  • Proverbs 7:5 (v21) that they may keep you from the strange woman, from the foreigner who flatters with her words.
  • Proverbs 21:27 (v14) The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination— how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind!
  • Proverbs 23:28 (v12) Yes, she lies in wait like a robber, and increases the unfaithful among men.
  • Jeremiah 4:30 (v10) You, when you are made desolate, what will you do? Though you clothe yourself with scarlet, though you deck yourself with ornaments of…
  • Genesis 38:14-15 (v10) She took off the garments of her widowhood, and covered herself with her veil, and wrapped herself, and sat in the gate of Enaim, which is…
  • Leviticus 7:11 (v14) “ ‘This is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which one shall offer to Yahweh:
  • 2 Kings 4:8 (v21) One day Elisha went to Shunem, where there was a prominent woman; and she persuaded him to eat bread. So it was, that as often as he passed…
  • 2 Kings 9:22 (v10) When Joram saw Jehu, he said, “Is it peace, Jehu?” He answered, “What peace, so long as the prostitution of your mother Jezebel and her…
  • Proverbs 9:14 (v12) She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
  • Proverbs 31:10-31 (v11) Who can find a worthy woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain. She…
  • Isaiah 19:9 (v16) Moreover those who work in combed flax, and those who weave white cloth, will be confounded.
  • Isaiah 23:16 (v10) Take a harp; go about the city, you prostitute that has been forgotten. Make sweet melody. Sing many songs, that you may be remembered.
  • 1 Timothy 5:13-14 (v11) Besides, they also learn to be idle, going about from house to house. Not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which…
  • Genesis 3:1 (v10) Now the serpent was more subtle than any animal of the field which Yahweh God had made. He said to the woman, “Has God really said, ‘You…
  • Genesis 18:9 (v11) They asked him, “Where is Sarah, your wife?” He said, “There, in the tent.”
  • Genesis 39:12 (v13) She caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me!” He left his garment in her hand, and ran outside.
  • Numbers 25:6-8 (v13) Behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought to his brothers a Midianite woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the…
  • Deuteronomy 12:6-7 (v14) You shall bring your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, the wave offering of your hand, your vows, your free will offerings,…
  • Psalms 12:2 (v21) Everyone lies to his neighbor. They speak with flattering lips, and with a double heart.
  • Proverbs 15:8 (v14) The sacrifice made by the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh, but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
  • Proverbs 17:1 (v14) Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife.
  • Proverbs 25:24 (v11) It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.
  • Proverbs 27:14-15 (v11) He who blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse by him. A continual dropping on a rainy day…
  • Isaiah 57:7-9 (v17) On a high and lofty mountain you have set your bed. You also went up there to offer sacrifice. You have set up your memorial behind the…
  • Ezekiel 27:7 (v16) Your sail was of fine linen with embroidered work from Egypt, that it might be to you for a banner. Blue and purple from the islands of…
  • Matthew 20:11 (v19) When they received it, they murmured against the master of the household,
  • Luke 12:45-46 (v19) But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My lord delays his coming,’ and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and…
  • Luke 24:29 (v21) They urged him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is almost evening, and the day is almost over.” He went in to stay with them.
  • John 18:28 (v14) They led Jesus therefore from Caiaphas into the Praetorium. It was early, and they themselves didn’t enter into the Praetorium, that they…
  • Revelation 17:3-5 (v10) He carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet-colored beast, full of blasphemous names, having…
  • Revelation 18:3 (v12) For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her sexual immorality, the kings of the earth committed sexual immorality with…
  • Genesis 39:7 (v13) After these things, his master’s wife set her eyes on Joseph; and she said, “Lie with me.”
  • Exodus 30:23 (v17) “Also take fine spices: of liquid myrrh, five hundred shekels; and of fragrant cinnamon half as much, even two hundred and fifty; and of…
  • Leviticus 7:15-16 (v14) The flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving shall be eaten on the day of his offering. He shall not leave any of it…
  • Numbers 25:1 (v13) Israel stayed in Shittim; and the people began to play the prostitute with the daughters of Moab;
  • Numbers 31:16 (v13) Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against Yahweh in the matter of Peor, and so…
  • Judges 16:15-17 (v21) She said to him, “How can you say, ‘I love you,’ when your heart is not with me? You have mocked me these three times, and have not told me…
  • 2 Samuel 15:7-9 (v14) At the end of forty years, Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed to Yahweh, in Hebron. For your…
  • 1 Kings 10:28 (v16) The horses which Solomon had were brought out of Egypt. The king’s merchants received them in droves, each drove at a price.
  • 1 Kings 21:9-10 (v14) She wrote in the letters, saying, “Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people. Set two men, wicked fellows, before him, and…
  • 2 Chronicles 2:4 (v20) Behold, I am about to build a house for the name of Yahweh my God, to dedicate it to him, to burn before him incense of sweet spices, for…
  • Proverbs 6:24 (v21) to keep you from the immoral woman, from the flattery of the wayward wife’s tongue.
  • Proverbs 21:29 (v13) A wicked man hardens his face; but as for the upright, he establishes his ways.
  • Proverbs 31:22 (v16) She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
  • Song of Solomon 3:6 (v17) Who is this who comes up from the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all spices of the merchant?
  • Song of Solomon 3:7-10 (v16) Behold, it is Solomon’s carriage! Sixty mighty men are around it, of the mighty men of Israel. They all handle the sword, and are expert in…
  • Song of Solomon 4:13-14 (v17) Your shoots are an orchard of pomegranates, with precious fruits, henna with spikenard plants, spikenard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon,…
  • Isaiah 50:7 (v13) For the Lord Yahweh will help me. Therefore I have not been confounded. Therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I won’t…
  • Jeremiah 2:20 (v12) “For long ago I broke off your yoke, and burst your bonds. You said, ‘I will not serve;’ for on every high hill and under every green tree…
  • Jeremiah 2:33 (v12) How well you prepare your way to seek love! Therefore you have even taught the wicked women your ways.
  • Jeremiah 2:36 (v12) Why do you go about so much to change your ways? You will be ashamed of Egypt also, as you were ashamed of Assyria.
  • Jeremiah 3:2 (v12) “Lift up your eyes to the bare heights, and see! Where have you not been lain with? You have sat waiting for them by the road, as an…
  • Ezekiel 2:4 (v13) The children are impudent and stiff-hearted. I am sending you to them, and you shall tell them, ‘This is what the Lord Yahweh says.’
  • Ezekiel 2:6 (v13) You, son of man, don’t be afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you, and you dwell among…
  • Ezekiel 3:7-9 (v13) But the house of Israel will not listen to you, for they will not listen to me; for all the house of Israel are obstinate and hard-hearted.…
  • Ezekiel 16:24-25 (v12) “that you have built for yourselves a vaulted place, and have made yourselves a lofty place in every street. You have built your lofty…
  • Ezekiel 16:31 (v12) in that you build your vaulted place at the head of every way, and make your lofty place in every street, and have not been as a…
  • Ezekiel 16:33 (v13) People give gifts to all prostitutes; but you give your gifts to all your lovers, and bribe them, that they may come to you on every side…
  • Matthew 24:43 (v19) But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have watched, and would…
  • Matthew 24:48 (v19) But if that evil servant should say in his heart, ‘My lord is delaying his coming,’
  • Mark 13:34-36 (v19) “It is like a man, traveling to another country, having left his house, and given authority to his servants, and to each one his work, and…
  • Luke 12:39 (v19) But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched, and not allowed his…
  • 2 Corinthians 5:14 (v21) For the love of Christ constrains us; because we judge thus, that one died for all, therefore all died.
  • Revelation 2:20 (v13) But I have this against you, that you tolerate your woman, Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. She teaches and seduces my servants to…
  • Revelation 2:22 (v16) Behold, I will throw her into a bed, and those who commit adultery with her into great oppression, unless they repent of her works.
  • Revelation 18:23 (v12) The light of a lamp will shine no more at all in you. The voice of the bridegroom and of the bride will be heard no more at all in you; for…
  • 1 Samuel 28:23 (v21) But he refused, and said, “I will not eat.” But his servants, together with the woman, constrained him; and he listened to their voice. So…
  • Song of Solomon 1:16 (v16) Behold, you are beautiful, my beloved, yes, pleasant; and our couch is verdant.
  • Luke 14:23 (v21) “The lord said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
  • Acts 16:15 (v21) When she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and…

Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)

Explain this passage (17 sources)

Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.

Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 20 Or, garment.

Or, garment.

Or, hid.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.

John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv10–21 Pro 7:10 And, behold, there met him a woman…
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21 With the attire of an harlot; with a habit…
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv10–21 She is loud and stubborn,.... "Loud"; not that her…
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv12, 14, 20 Without - Without the door of her house. Corner…
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 Verse 10. A woman with the attire of a…
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv11, 14, 15, 21 Pro 7:11-12. She is loud, &c. — Here the…
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv11, 14, 16, 17, 19, 21 Loud and stubborn - Both words describe the half-animal…
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv10, 11, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 Attire. Covered with a veil, (Genesis xxxviii. 15.) though…
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv10, 11, 13, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21 attire--that of harlots was sometimes peculiar.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21 10. Attire of a harlot — Such persons usually…
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20 10. attire of a harlot] Comp. Gen_38:14; Eze_16:16; Eze_16:25;…
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv10, 11, 14, 16, 19 (10) Subtil of heart.—Feigning love to her husband and…
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv10–21 And, behold, there met him a woman. His long…
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On vv16, 21 I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv10, 13, 16, 19 with a false heart
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 21 7:10 The woman, seductively dressed, looks good on the…
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