Proverbs 7:9
Proverbs 7:9 in Multiple Translations
at twilight, as the day was fading into the dark of the night.
In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night:
In the twilight, in the evening of the day, In the middle of the night and in the darkness.
At nightfall, in the evening of the day, in the black dark of the night.
It was at dusk in the evening, as the light was fading and the dark night closed in.
In the twilight in the euening, when the night began to be blacke and darke.
In the twilight — in the evening of day, In the darkness of night and blackness.
in the twilight, in the evening of the day, in the middle of the night and in the darkness.
In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night:
In the dark, when it grows late, in the darkness and obscurity of the night,
at twilight, when it was getting dark [DOU].
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 7:9
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 7:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
בְּ/נֶֽשֶׁף
בְּ/עֶ֥רֶב
י֑וֹם
בְּ/אִישׁ֥וֹן
לַ֝֗יְלָה
וַ/אֲפֵלָֽה
בְּ/נֶֽשֶׁף
nesheph
H5399
twilight
Prep | N-ms
בְּ/עֶ֥רֶב
ʻereb
H6153
evening
Prep | N-ms
י֑וֹם
yôwm
H3117
day
N-ms
בְּ/אִישׁ֥וֹן
ʼîyshôwn
H380
pupil
Prep | N-ms
לַ֝֗יְלָה
layil
H3915
night
N-ms
וַ/אֲפֵלָֽה
ʼăphêlâh
H653
darkness
Conj | N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 7:9
בְּ/נֶֽשֶׁף
nesheph
H5399
"twilight"
Prep | N-ms
Twilight, or the time of dawn or dusk when the breeze prevails, marking the beginning or end of the day. This term is used to describe the dark or light periods.
Definition: 1) twilight 1a) evening twilight 1b) morning twilight
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: dark, dawning of the day (morning), night, twilight. See also: 1 Samuel 30:17; Psalms 119:147; Proverbs 7:9.
בְּ/עֶ֥רֶב
ʻereb
H6153
"evening"
Prep | N-ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means evening or sunset, like when God created daylight and darkness in Genesis. It refers to the time of day, often marking the end of a workday. This word is used in many verses, including Exodus and Psalms.
Definition: 1) evening, night, sunset 1a) evening, sunset 1b) night
Usage: Occurs in 125 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] day, even(-ing, tide), night. See also: Genesis 1:5; Numbers 19:19; Psalms 30:6.
י֑וֹם
yôwm
H3117
"day"
N-ms
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow
Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.
בְּ/אִישׁ֥וֹן
ʼîyshôwn
H380
"pupil"
Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for the pupil of the eye, also meaning the middle of the night, is used in the Bible to describe something cherished, like the apple of God's eye in Deuteronomy 32:10.
Definition: 1) pupil of the eye 2) middle of the night (that is the deepest blackness)
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: apple (of the eye), black, obscure. See also: Deuteronomy 32:10; Proverbs 7:2; Psalms 17:8.
לַ֝֗יְלָה
layil
H3915
"night"
N-ms
Night refers to the time of darkness, opposed to day, and can also symbolize adversity or hardship. It is a period of rest, but also of potential danger or uncertainty.
Definition: 1) night 1a) night (as opposed to day) 1b) of gloom, protective shadow (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 223 OT verses. KJV: (mid-)night (season). See also: Genesis 1:5; 2 Samuel 17:16; Psalms 1:2.
וַ/אֲפֵלָֽה
ʼăphêlâh
H653
"darkness"
Conj | N-fs
This Hebrew word describes a state of darkness or gloom, often used to describe a difficult or trying time. In the book of Isaiah, it is used to describe a time of sadness and despair.
Definition: 1) darkness, gloominess, calamity 2) wickedness (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: dark, darkness, gloominess, [idiom] thick. See also: Exodus 10:22; Isaiah 58:10; Proverbs 4:19.
Study Notes — Proverbs 7:9
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 7:9 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 7:9
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 7:9
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 7:9
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 7:9
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 7:9
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 7:9
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 7:9
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 7:9
- Sermons on Proverbs 7:9
Context — Warnings about the Adulteress
7I saw among the simple, I noticed among the youths, a young man lacking judgment,
8crossing the street near her corner, strolling down the road to her house,
9at twilight, as the day was fading into the dark of the night.
10Then a woman came out to meet him, with the attire of a harlot and cunning of heart. 11She is loud and defiant; her feet do not remain at home.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 24:13–15 | Then there are those who rebel against the light, not knowing its ways or staying on its paths. When daylight is gone, the murderer rises to kill the poor and needy; in the night he is like a thief. The eye of the adulterer watches for twilight. Thinking, ‘No eye will see me,’ he covers his face. |
| 2 | Romans 13:12–14 | The night is nearly over; the day has drawn near. So let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh. |
| 3 | Ephesians 5:11 | Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. |
| 4 | Genesis 39:11 | One day, however, Joseph went into the house to attend to his work, and not a single household servant was inside. |
| 5 | Exodus 12:6 | You must keep it until the fourteenth day of the month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel will slaughter the animals at twilight. |
Proverbs 7:9 Summary
The verse Proverbs 7:9 describes a time of day when the light is fading, and it symbolizes a moment when one's moral judgment may be weakened. This is a warning to be careful during times of transition or when we are not fully aware of our surroundings, as it can lead to sin, like in Genesis 3:6. Just as Psalm 119:105 says that God's word is a lamp to our feet, we need to rely on God's wisdom to guide us through life's challenging situations. By seeking God's guidance, we can avoid the traps of temptation and stay on the path of righteousness, as encouraged in Proverbs 2:1-6.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the verse mention 'twilight' specifically?
The mention of twilight in Proverbs 7:9 signifies a time of transition from light to darkness, symbolizing the young man's shift from a place of moral clarity to one of temptation and sin, as warned in Ephesians 5:11. This time of day also represents a moment when one's judgment may be impaired.
What does 'the dark of the night' represent in this context?
The 'dark of the night' in Proverbs 7:9 represents a state of spiritual darkness and ignorance, where one is more susceptible to sin, as described in John 3:19. It is a time when the light of wisdom and discernment is absent, making it easier for temptations to prevail.
How does this verse relate to the broader theme of Proverbs?
This verse contributes to the overall theme of Proverbs, which is to impart wisdom and discernment to the reader, as seen in Proverbs 1:7. The description of the young man's encounter at twilight serves as a warning against the dangers of succumbing to temptation and the importance of seeking wisdom, as emphasized in Proverbs 2:1-6.
What lesson can be applied from this verse to our daily lives?
The lesson from Proverbs 7:9 is to be mindful of the times and situations in our lives when we may be more vulnerable to sin and temptation, and to seek God's wisdom and guidance, as encouraged in James 1:5, to navigate these challenges successfully.
Reflection Questions
- What are the 'twilight' moments in my life when I am most susceptible to temptation, and how can I prepare myself to resist them?
- In what ways can I apply the principle of seeking wisdom and discernment, as taught in Proverbs, to my daily decisions and encounters?
- How does the description of the young man's actions in Proverbs 7:9 serve as a warning to me, and what precautions can I take to avoid similar pitfalls?
- What role does spiritual darkness play in my life, and how can I ensure that I am walking in the light of God's wisdom, as described in Psalm 119:105?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 7:9
In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 7:9
In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night: In the twilight, in the evening - (Hebrew, in the evening of the day).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 7:9
In the evening; when the day labour being ended, he was at leisure for any thing; and when such strumpets used to walk abroad for prey. In the black and dark night; when it begun to be black and dark.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 7:9
Proverbs 7:9 In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night:Ver. 9. In the black and dark night.] Thinking to obscure himself; but Solomon saw him, how much more God, cui obscura patent, muta respondent, silentium confitetur, before whom night will convert itself into noon, and silence prove a speaking evidence. Foolish men think to hide themselves from God, by hiding God from themselves. See Psalms 139:11-12.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 7:9
(9) In the twilight . . .—He has no excuse of sudden temptation to offer; from twilight till dark night he had trifled with danger, and now at last his “calamity comes” (Proverbs 6:15).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 7:9
Verse 9. In the twilight, in the evening] Some time after sun-setting; before it was quite dark. In the black and dark night] When there were neither lamps nor moon-shine.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 7:9
9. black and dark night] Lit. in the pupil (of the eye) of the night, and the darkness. The Heb. word for pupil is the same as that rendered apple (of thine eye), Proverbs 7:2. It is used again poetically, as here, in Proverbs 20:20, in the blackest darkness, R.V. lit. in the pupil (of the eye) of darkness. The short twilight of those latitudes is quickly followed by the blackness of night: which things are here perchance an allegory.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 7:9
9. In the twilight… dark night — A difficult verse, on account of the seeming contrariety of terms. On the one hand, twilight, evening; on the other, the black and dark night, literally, the pupil of the eye of night — midnight.
Sermons on Proverbs 7:9
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Have You Heard? There Is Bread in Bethlehem by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the speaker discusses a story from the Bible about a woman who had access to her possessions taken away by another man. The Kingsman Redeemer steps in and confronts |
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On Through the Darkness by Mary Wilder Tileston | Mary Wilder Tileston preaches about the importance of trusting in the Lord and waiting patiently for Him, even when the way seems dark. She emphasizes the need to bring our unwilli |
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(1 Peter - Part 11): Wherefore, Gird Up Your Minds and Be Sober by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being spiritually prepared and vigilant. He uses the analogy of a violinist who neglects to tune his instrument, resulting |
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Beware of a Satanic Set-Up by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher begins by emphasizing the urgency of the times, stating that the night is far spent and the day is at hand. He urges the listeners to cast off the work |
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(Common Market) the Time of Thr Toes Appearing by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the power and authority of the word of God, stating that it will ultimately rule the world. He highlights the importance of getting everyone |
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How to Pray for Revival by Bill McLeod | In this sermon, the speaker shares a powerful story of a young boy who unexpectedly takes over the pulpit and preaches with tears. His passionate message touches the hearts of both |
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Almost a Christian by John Rhys Watkins | In this sermon, the preacher describes a man who is trapped in darkness and torment, symbolizing the state of humanity without Christ. The preacher emphasizes that salvation is ava |