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Proverbs 7:23

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Proverbs 7:23 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Till an arrow strike through his liver; As a bird hasteth to the snare, And knoweth not that it is for his life.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Till an arrow strike through his liver; As a bird hasteth to the snare, And knoweth not that it is for his life.
Proverbs 7:23 — American Standard Version

Context — Proverbs 7

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
20He hath taken a bag of money with him; He will come home at the full moon.
21With her much fair speech she causeth him to yield; With the flattering of her lips she forceth him along.
22He goeth after her straightway, As an ox goeth to the slaughter, Or as [one in] fetters to the correction of the fool;
23Till an arrow strike through his liver; As a bird hasteth to the snare, And knoweth not that it is for his life.
24Now therefore, [my] sons, hearken unto me, And attend to the words of my mouth.
25Let not thy heart decline to her ways; Go not astray in her paths.
26For she hath cast down many wounded: Yea, all her slain are a mighty host.
← Proverbs 7:22Proverbs 7:24 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Till a dart strike through his liver, etc.] The fountain of blood, and so of life; which, being pierced through and poured out, is certain death, (<250211>Lamentations 2:11); the meaning is, till he is slain either by the hand of God, or by the civil magistrate, or by the jealous husband; and be thrust through by him, as Zimri and Cozbi were by Phinehas. The “liver” may be particularly mentioned, not only for the reason before given, but because it is the seat of lustf203; so he is stricken in the part where his lust begins, where he has been smitten by Cupid’s darts: or this dart through the liver may denote some disease, infecting the blood through sinful lust. The Targum is, “as an hart…”
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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
“Till--He is now caught (Pro 6:26).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The first clause does not connect itself very clearly with the foregoing, and is probably affected by the corrupt text which makes it perplexing. return to 'Top of Page'”
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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
“His liver - His vital parts, 'till his life be lost. Next: Proverbs Chapter 8”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“a dart: Num 25:8, Num 25:9 as a bird: Pro 1:17; Ecc 9:12 knoweth: Pro 9:18 Proverbs 7:24”
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Related study paths

Read Proverbs 7 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification