Proverbs 7:22

22 All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer^[a] stepping into a noose^[b]

Proverbs 7:22 in Other Translations

22 He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;

22 All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a stag is caught fast

22 He followed her at once, like an ox going to the slaughter. He was like a stag caught in a trap,

22 Before you know it, he's trotting behind her, like a calf led to the butcher shop, Like a stag lured into ambush

22 He goeth after her straightway, As an ox goeth to the slaughter, Or as [one in] fetters to the correction of the fool;

22 He immediately follows her like a steer on its way to be slaughtered, like a ram hobbling into captivity

22 He follows her impulsively like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer bounding toward a trap

22 All at once he followed her. He was like an ox going to be killed. He was like a deer stepping into a trap

Proverbs 7:22 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 7:22

He goeth after her straightway
Or "suddenly" ^F7; and inconsiderately, giving himself no time to think of what would be the sad consequences of it; as an ox goeth to the slaughter;
as senseless and stupid as that; and as ignorant of the issue as that is, led by the butcher, as if it was going to a pasture, when it is going to the slaughter house. So such persons as are ensnared by harlots; they follow them in a view of pleasure, but it ends in ruin; if not in the loss of bodily life, by the revengeful husband or civil magistrate; yet in the destruction of their immortal souls; or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;
a drunken besotted fool, who, while he is leading to the stocks, is insensible whither he is going; but when he has been there awhile, and is come out of his drunken fit, then he is sensible of his punishment and his shame. Or, "as the stocks are for the correction of a fool" ^F8: or, as a man goes to "the stocks, to the correction of a fool" ^F9; so the young man went after the harlot: or, as "one fettered" ^F11, goes thither, bound hand and foot; he cannot help himself, nor avoid the shame. It denotes both the power of sin, there is no withstanding its allurements and blandishments, when once given way to, and the shame that attends or follows it. The Targum is,

``as a dog to a chain;''

and so the Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic versions.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F7 (Matp) "subito", Baynus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Gejerus, Michaelis.
F8 (lywa rowm la okek) "sicut compes ad castigationem stulti", Pagninus, Montanus, Baynus.
F9 "Abiens post cam, quasi veniens ad compedes ad castigationem stultorum", Gejerus.
F11 "Velut compeditus", Junius & Tremellius; "velut in compede ibat", Michaelis; "tanquam constricto ad pedes capite", Schultens.

Proverbs 7:22 In-Context

20 He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon.”

21 With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk.

22 All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose

23 till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life.

24 Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say.

Cross References

• 1. S Job 18:10

Footnotes

• [a]. Syriac (see also Septuagint); Hebrew "fool"
• [b]. The meaning of the Hebrew for this line is uncertain.