Proverbs 7:22
He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;
Original Language Analysis
ה֤וֹלֵ֥ךְ
He goeth
H1980
ה֤וֹלֵ֥ךְ
He goeth
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
1 of 11
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
אַחֲרֶ֗יהָ
after
H310
אַחֲרֶ֗יהָ
after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
2 of 11
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
טָ֣בַח
to the slaughter
H2874
טָ֣בַח
to the slaughter
Strong's:
H2874
Word #:
6 of 11
properly, something slaughtered; hence, a beast (or meat, as butchered); abstractly butchery (or concretely, a place of slaughter)
Historical Context
Ancient animal sacrifice involved leading cattle to slaughter. Oxen, being domesticated and trusting, would follow handlers peacefully to death. Stocks (leg restraints) were used for punishment and public humiliation. The double imagery emphasizes foolishness - like animal lacking reason, like criminal receiving deserved punishment. Sexual sin reduces humans to subrational beasts and merits criminal punishment.
Questions for Reflection
- What obvious dangers are you ignoring by 'suddenly' following temptation?
- How does sin reduce you to subrational animal status, bypassing God-given reason?
- What 'slaughter' (spiritual death, relational destruction) awaits at the end of paths you're following?
Analysis & Commentary
He follows her suddenly, as an ox to slaughter, as a fool to stocks for correction. The Hebrew 'pitom' (suddenly/instantly) and 'tevach' (slaughter) describe swift movement toward doom. The ox imagery portrays ignorant domesticated animal approaching its death. The fool in stocks awaits punishment. Both illustrations depict foolish movement toward certain destruction. Seduction succeeds by blinding targets to obvious danger.