1.
My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.
My son. See note on Proverbs 1:8 .
keep = watch.
words = sayings. Hebrew. imrah. App-73 .
2.
Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.
live: i.e. live for ever, in resurrection and eternal life. See note on Leviticus 18:5 . Illustrations: Adam (Genesis 3:22 , Genesis 3:23 ); Lot's wife (Genesis 19:26 ); Saul (1 Chronicles 10:13 ); Prophet (1 Kings 13 ).
3.
Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.
Bind them. Compare Proverbs 3:3 .Deuteronomy 6:8 ; Deuteronomy 11:18 .
table = tablet.
4.
Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:
sister. Compare Matthew 12:50 .
kinswoman = close friend (masc). Only other occurance. Ruth 2:1 , of Boaz.
5.
That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.
strange = apostate. Hebrew. zur. See note on Proverbs 5:3 .
stranger = alien, or foreigner. See note on Proverbs 5:3 .
flattereth = maketh smooth.
6.
For at the window of my house I looked through my casement,
7.
And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding,
simple. See note on Proverbs 1:4 .
youths = sons.
understanding. Hebrew heart. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), App-6 , for understanding. Compare Proverbs 6:32 .
8.
Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house,
street = back street.
went = sauntered.
9.
In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night:
twilight = darkness. A Homonym. See note on 1 Samuel 30:17 .
evening = evening of the day.
10.
And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.
subtil = hidden. Hebrew. nazar. Not the same word as in Genesis 3:1 . Same as in Isaiah 48:6 .
11.
(She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:
12.
Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)
13.
So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him,
impudent. Hebrew hardened. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for boldness.
14.
I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows.
15.
Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.
16.
I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.
decked, &c. These words in verses: Proverbs 7:16 , Proverbs 7:17 , are rare words appropriately put into the lips of a foreigner.
17.
I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18.
Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.
take our fill = drink deep.
loves. Plural = much love.
19.
For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey:
goodman = master of the house. Compare Matthew 24:43 .Luke 12:39 .
20.
He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed.
the day appointed = the new moon.
21.
With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.
22.
He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;
straightway = suddenly.
fool. Hebrew. 'evil. See note on Proverbs 1:7 .
23.
Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.
life = soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .
24.
Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.
children = sons. See the Structure, p. 864.
25.
Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.
26.
For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.
she hath cast down. Illustrations: Samson (Judges 16:4-21 ); David (2 Samuel 11 ); Solomon (1 Kings 11 .Nehemiah 13:26; Nehemiah 13:26 ).
27.
Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.
hell = the grave. Hebrew. sheol. App-35 .
chambers = inner chambers. An explanation of Sheol.