Proverbs 7

— upon the highest places of the city.] The schools of the Prophets were seated on “high places,” as appears from 1 Sam. x. 5. 10, &c.; which seems to be the allusion here of wisdom crying upon the highest places of the city, to invite those who had a disposition towards her to come and hear her instructions. Bp. Patrick. Or the expression may allude merely to the tops of the houses and parapets, to which it was customary to go for the purpose of proclaiming any thing aboud, agreeably to the expression of our Saviour, “Preach ye upon the housetops.” Matt. x. 27. Calmet.

Proverbs 7:2

2. She hath killed her beasts; &c.] She hath made a plentiful provision for all hungry and thirsty souls, who will find no less life, and vigour, and strength, and joy communicated to them from her sacred instructions, than the body does when it partakes of a liberal and delicious feast. Bp. Patrick.

Proverbs 7:3

3. Bind them upon thy fingers, &c.] It is sufficiently evident that Solomon could not mean this precept to be understood literally, any more than the next expression, which frequently occurs, “Write them on the table of thine heart;” yet it was on such texts as these (see Exod. xiii. 16; Deut. vi. 8; xi. 18.) that the Pharisees founded the practice of binding on their foreheads phylacteries, or slips with particular precepts of the law inscribed upon them. Dr. Durell. See note at Exod. xiii. 9.

4. She hath sent forth her maidens.] She hath sent forth her attendants and ministers, persons of uncorrupted purity and sincerity, to invite men with a loud voice, which cannot but be heard by whole cities and countries. This expression may be illustrated by a drink of the wine which I have mingled.

Proverbs 7:4

4. Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister;] Be as familiar with wisdom, as if she were thy own natural sister. Bp. Hall. The name of “sister” occurs often as the name of friendship, and is employed to express the affection of the husband to his bride. Cant. iv. 9; v. 1, &c. It here marks the chaste love which we ought to bear to wisdom. Calmet.

Proverbs 7:7

7. He that reproceth a scorner &c.] He who performs the charitable office of reproving those who deride religion, and scoff at all good admonition, not only loses his labour, but will probably be requited with reproaches. Bp. Patrick. — getteth himself a blot.] Suffers vile and unworthy usage. Dr. Wells.

Proverbs 7:9

9. In the twilight, &c.] He seems to enumerate the several periods of the night, intending to imply that he had frequently observed the scene which he describes, although he professes to be describing only one particular instance. Schultens.

Proverbs 7:10

10. — of the holy] Of sacred things, or Divine revelations. Dr. Isham.

Proverbs 7:11

11. [She is loud and stubborn;] Translators have differed in rending these words; they seem rather to mean, “She is prating, petulant, and wandering, running about from house to house.” Dr. Hammond.

Proverbs 7:12

12. If thou be wise, &c.] If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for the good of thyself; but if thou scornest religion, thou alone shalt bear the punishment of it. Dr. Wells.

Proverbs 7:14

14. I have peace offerings with me; &c.] “I have peace offerings with me,” that is, “I have an entertainment or feast at my house;” for in sacrifices of this sort, the person that offered reserved a part of the victim for convivial purposes. Dr. Durell. This narrative is strongly expressive of the woman’s character; of her

Before CHRIST about 1000. b Chap. 5. 3. c Chap. 9. 13. An harlot’s behaviour described. The fame and evidency of wisdom. Before CHRIST about 1000.

14. — on a seat in the high places] For the purpose of inveigling passengers. It is related by travellers in the East, that it is still the practice for prostitutes to sit at the doors of their houses, in the most alluring pomp that they can display. Harmer. Before CHRIST about 1000.

Proverbs 7:34

34. — waiting at the posts of my doors.] Going to the places where true religion and piety are taught. Dr. Wells.

Proverbs 7:36

36. — all they that hate me love death.] These words can scarcely signify any thing else than the destruction brought upon the soul by death eternal. Dr. Graves. Chap. IX. ver. 1. Wisdom hath builded her house, &c.] Wisdom is represented as a glorious queen, the daughter of heaven, adorned with all excellences and perfections, inviting all misguided souls to her stately palace, and promising to them the most delicious entertainment, if they will forsake their follies. By this notion of a feast the sacred writers are wont to express the high satisfaction, joy, and pleasure, with which the principles of virtue and wisdom fill the hearts of men when they have a true relish for them. This is the substance of the allegory here given, but the several parts of it are not to be too minutely scanned. Bp. Patrick.