Westminster Annotations, Proverbs · Chapter 7
CHAP. VII.
Vers. 2. KEep my commandments, and five] Chap. 4. 4.
and my law as the apple of thine eye] By this diversity of words, he meaneth, That nothing ought to be so dear unto us, as the word of God; nor we look on any thing more, nor minde any thing so much.
apple of thine eye] Psal. 17. 8.
eye] Heb. eyes.
V. 3. Binde them upon thy fi…gers, write them upon the table of thine heart] Deut. 6. 8. and 11. 18. Chap. 3. 3.
V. 4. kinswoman] Heb. kinsman.
V. 5. That they may keep thee from the strange woman] Chap. 5. 3. and 2. 16.
V. 6. For at the window of my house I looked] I speak not without reason, for I have seen the folly of those that have suffered themselves to be abused by harlots.
V. 7. the youths] Heb. the sons.
V. 9. in the evening] Heb. in the evening of the day.
in the black and dark night] He sheweth, that there was almost none so impudent, but they were afraid to be seen; and also their own consciences did accuse them, which caused them to seek the night, to cover their filthinesse, Job 24. 15. 1 Thess. 5. 7.
V. 10. subtill] Heb. reserved.
V. 11. She is loud and stubborn] Chap. 9. 13. He describeth certain conditions, which are peculiar to harlots.
V. 13. with an impudent face said] Heb. she strengthned her face, and said.
V. 14. I have peace-offerings with me] Heb. peace-offerings are upon me] Because that in peace-offerings a por…on returned to them that offered, she sheweth him that she hath meat at home to make good chear with: or else, she would use some cloke of holinesse, till she had gotten him in her snares, 1 Kings 21. 9.
this day have I payed my vows] Which declareth, that harlots outwardly will seem holy and religious, both because they may the better deceive others, and also flatter themselves; thinking, by observing of ceremonies and offerings, to make satisfaction for their sins.
V. 15. to meet thee] As if her affection were to him onelyonly, which was ready for the first comer.
V. 18. our f…ll of love] Heb. be drunken with loves, chap. 5. 19.
untill the morning] Which shews her unsatiable lust.
V. 20. He hath taken a bag of money] There is no fear of my husbands sudden return; for he hath taken money with him to supply the charge of a long journey.
with him] Heb. in his hand.
the day appointed] Or, the new moon.
V. 21. With her much fair speech she caused him to yeeld] Fair words prevail more to draw men to loosnesse, then wanton gestures, chap. 5. 3.
with the flattering of her lips she forced him] When once they begin to yeeld, they go on, as it were, by force.
V. 22. He goeth after her straightway] If he had taken time to consider of the sin, and punishment, he might have escaped.
straightway] Heb. suddenly.
as an ox goeth to the slaughter] Which, thinking he goeth to the pasture, goeth to the shambles.
or as a fool to the correction of the stocks] Who goeth cheerfully, not knowing that he shall be punished.
as a fool to the correction of the stocks] Heb. as the stocks are for the correction of the fool.
V. 23. Till a dart strike thorow his liver] He shews the blockishnesse of the young-man, who never thinks of his dange… till he have undone himself.
strike thorow his liver] Job 20. 24, 25.
snare] Chap. 1. 17. Eccles. 9. 12.
V. 24. Hearken unto me now therefore] Being warned by this terrible example, hearken rather to my wholesom words, then to the alluring ones of harlots.
V. 26. yea, many strong men have been slain by her] Heb. and all that are slain by her are strong men.
many strong men have been slain by her] Many stout men have been overcome by harlots; yea, the most of them that she destroys are stout men: so that the strength of a man is oft overcome by the sleight of a woman: none hath been so strong, but, being carelesse, they have been overcome by lust, Judg. 16.
V. 27. Her house is the way to hell] Chap. 2. 18. and 5. 5. Heb. the ways to hell are in her house: that is, there are many ways to hell in the harlots house.
way] Heb. wayes.