Proverbs 7:10
And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.
Original Language Analysis
לִקְרָאת֑וֹ
And behold there met
H7125
לִקְרָאת֑וֹ
And behold there met
Strong's:
H7125
Word #:
3 of 7
an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)
ז֝וֹנָ֗ה
of an harlot
H2181
ז֝וֹנָ֗ה
of an harlot
Strong's:
H2181
Word #:
5 of 7
to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (
Cross References
1 Timothy 2:9In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;Jeremiah 4:30And when thou art spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair; thy lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life.2 Kings 9:30And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window.
Historical Context
Ancient prostitution involved distinctive dress codes enabling identification. The 'crafty heart' reveals that this isn't economic necessity but malicious intent. Some commit sexual sin from desperation; others from predatory calculation. The distinction matters - Proverbs here warns about deliberate seducers who study vulnerabilities and exploit them strategically.
Questions for Reflection
- How can you recognize when you're being deliberately targeted rather than randomly tempted?
- What vulnerabilities might predatory people or influences be studying to exploit?
- How does awareness of calculated spiritual attack affect your defensive strategy?
Analysis & Commentary
A woman meets him dressed as a prostitute with crafty heart. The Hebrew 'tavnith' (attire/adornment) and 'natsar lev' (guarded/crafty heart) describe calculated seduction. External presentation and internal calculation combine for entrapment. This woman isn't accidentally tempting but deliberately predatory. The seducer studies prey, plans approach, calculates strategy. Temptation is often sophisticated attack, not random accident.