Jamieson, Fausset & Brown's Commentary
Commentary on Proverbs 7
Verse 2
apple . . . eye--pupil of eye, a custody (Pro 4:23) of special value.
Verses 3–4
Bind . . . fingers--as inscriptions on rings.
Verse 5
The design of the teaching (compare Pro 2:16; Pro 6:24).
Verse 6
For--or, "Since," introducing an example to illustrate the warning, which, whether a narrative or a parable, is equally pertinent.
window--or, "opening"
looked--literally, "watched earnestly" (Jdg 5:28).
casement--or, "lattice."
Verse 7
simple--as in Pro 1:4.
void of, &c.--(Compare Pro 6:32).
Verse 8
her corner--where she was usually found.
went . . . house--implying, perhaps, confidence in himself by his manner, as denoted in the word
went--literally, "tread pompously."
Verse 9
The time, twilight, ending in darkness.
black . . . night--literally, "pupil," or, "eye," that is, middle of night.
Verse 10
attire--that of harlots was sometimes peculiar.
subtile--or, "wary," "cunning."
Verses 11–12
loud--or, "noisy," "bustling."
stubborn--not submissive.
without . . . streets, . . . corner--(Compare Ti1 5:13; Tit 2:5).
Verses 13–15
The preparations for a feast do not necessarily imply peculiar religious professions. The offerer retained part of the victim for a feast (Lev 3:9, &c.). This feast she professes was prepared for him whom she boldly addresses as one sought specially to partake of it.
Verse 16
my bed--or, "couch," adorned in the costliest manner.
Verse 17
bed--a place for sleeping.
Verses 18–19
There is no fear of discovery.
Verse 20
the day appointed--perhaps, literally, "a full moon," that is, a fortnight's time (compare Pro 7:19).
Verse 21
caused . . . yield--or, "inclines."
flattering--(Compare Pro 5:3).
forced him--by persuasion overcoming his scruples.
Verse 22
straightway--quickly, either as ignorant of danger, or incapable of resistance.
Verse 23
Till--He is now caught (Pro 6:26).
Verses 24–25
The inferential admonition is followed (Pro 7:26-27), by a more general allegation of the evils of this vice.
Verse 26
Even the mightiest fail to resist her deathly allurements.
Next: Proverbs Chapter 8
The subject continued, by a delineation of the arts of strange women, as a caution to the unwary. (Pro. 7:1-27)
Similar calls (Pro 3:1-3; Pro 4:10, &c.).