Proverbs 7:12

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Proverbs 7:12 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Now she is in the streets, now in the broad places, And lieth in wait at every corner.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Now she is in the streets, now in the broad places, And lieth in wait at every corner.
Proverbs 7:12 — American Standard Version

Context — Proverbs 7

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
12Now she is in the streets, now in the broad places, And lieth in wait at every corner.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Now [is she] without, etc.] The word for whore is sometimes rendered in the Targumf177 one that goes abroad, or without her house; sitting or standing at the door of it, in an idle posture, and in order to invite her lovers in; and if she can get none this way, or quickly, grows impatient: she is now in the streets; takes her walks abroad in the streets of the city, to see who she can light of, to pick up and bring home; and lieth in wait at every corner; of the street, where more ways meet, sometimes at one corner, and sometimes at another, that she may take all that comes; sometimes she is “without” in the fields, and in the country, to see what she can meet with there; and sometimes in…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Without - Without the door of her house. Corner - Of the streets, where she might either conceal or discover herself, as she saw fit. Proverbs 7:14”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“7:12 Prostitutes commonly solicited business in public areas such as markets and at every corner of busy streets (e.g., Gen 38:13-16).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Pro 9:14, Pro 23:28; Jer 2:20, Jer 2:33, Jer 2:36, Jer 3:2; Eze 16:24, Eze 16:25, Eze 16:31; Rev 18:3, Rev 18:23 Proverbs 7:13”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification