Proverbs 7:10

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Proverbs 7:10 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And, behold, there met him a woman With the attire of a harlot, and wily of heart.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And, behold, there met him a woman With the attire of a harlot, and wily of heart.
Proverbs 7:10 — American Standard Version

Context — Proverbs 7

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
10And, behold, there met him a woman With the attire of a harlot, and wily of heart.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And, behold, there met him a woman, etc.] A married woman, and an adulteress, as the following account of her shows; as soon as ever she discerned the young man before described, who she knew, by his air, walk, and dress, was a fit person for her turn, she at once set out from her house, or the corner where she stood, and met him; she did not wait till he came up and made his suit to her, but she went out, and first attacked him; wherefore the word “behold” is prefixed as a note of admiration at the impudence of the woman, and as a note of attention to observe the consequence of this affair. This woman represents the woman on a scarletcoloured beast, the mother of harlots, who, though she…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“attire--that of harlots was sometimes peculiar. subtile--or, "wary," "cunning."”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“7:10 The woman, seductively dressed, looks good on the outside but inside is full of trouble.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the attire: Gen 38:14, Gen 38:15; Kg2 9:22, Kg2 9:30; Isa 3:16-24, Isa 23:16; Jer 4:30; Ti1 2:9; Rev 17:3-5 subtle: Gen 3:1; Co2 11:2, Co2 11:3 Proverbs 7:11”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“Finally, the young man devoid of understanding sees his waiting rewarded: like meets like. 10 And, lo, a woman coming to meet him, In the attire of an harlot and of subtle heart. 11 Boisterous is she, and ungovernable; Her feet have no rest in her own house. 12 At one time before her door, at another in the street, And again at every corner she places herself on the watch. " Pro 7:12 (Hitzig) expresses what is wont to be, instead of a single event, Pro 7:11, viz., the custom of a street harlot. But she who is spoken of is not such an one; lurking is not applicable to her (cf. Job 31:9), and, Pro 7:11, it is not meant that she is thus inclined." But Hitzig's rendering of Pro 7:11, "she was…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification