Between the Lines

Proverbs

v. 18 “spirits of the dead”

A similar verse is also found in Proverbs 7:27. In both cases the verse can be interpreted as referring to either the grave or hell. In one sense, when referring to the grave, it indicates the physical danger of the adulteress in reference to the diseases that are caused through promiscuous sex. On the other hand, this may well refer to the spiritual state of the individual and by sinning follows a spiraling staircase to hell.

vs. 7-9 “a young man”

These are interesting verses, not because of the misunderstanding that might be caused by them, but rather because of the way in which this man fell into sin. Firstly, the man appeared to have no objective. Secondly, he was near where he should have not been. Thirdly, it was at an hour when prostitution became more prominent. Therefore he fell into her trap because he was literally walking into temptation. The warning is clear that when we do feel as though there might be a temptation along the way (not always in the physical sense), we should immediately head the opposite direction!

v. 14 “another excuse”

The consensus here seems to be of two things. Firstly, it could indicate that she was calling herself a religious woman and therefore in some way aims to persuade the man in question that the sin isn’t so bad after all. Secondly, it could mean that she had plentiful food at her place of residence as peace offerings were of the best quality (Leviticus 22:21). While the burnt offerings were completely consumed, the peace offerings were not and had to be eaten quickly (Leviticus, 19:5-6). Either way, the woman in question aims to entice the man to her home.

v. 22 “beauty on the outside”

An interesting comparison is made here between a pig with a ring through its snout and a beautiful woman without discretion. The similarities are made based on the physical appearance. The pig, while admittedly possessing a gold ring, is still a pig. A woman without discretion, although admittedly beautiful, is still without discretion.

v. 9 “sinners”

For those who believe that we are capable of living a sinless life, well here’s the proof otherwise. The statement is meant as a rhetorical one. It is not asking whether someone can stand up and state that they have never sinned, but it is more a statement of fact.

v. 16 “pledges”

There are some who might claim that this contradicts the law in Exodus 22:26. However, that law refers to the poor whereas this law appears to refer to the more wealthy who are able to put up collateral for a stranger.

v. 30 “blows and wounds”

This is an interesting verse. At first, it does not seem to make sense but it does make sense when you consider why beatings and blows cleanse evil. It does not refer to a physical evil, but more an internal one. Thus what the verse is referring to is a cleansing of the inner body through a physical punishment. In the NIV the last part of the verse helps to explain this. “… and beatings purge the inmost being.”

v. 13 “sluggard and the lion”

This is another strange verse. It is the start of five consecutive verses which describe a sluggard. In this case, a similar verse can be found in Proverbs 22:13. The aim of the sluggard is to avoid work by any means possible and thus the excuse of a lion in the streets is employed. Note how ridiculous the excuse is also. A lion lives in the forest or fields, but not in the streets. In Proverbs 22:13 the sluggard’s fear of being murdered is another excuse not to work.

Now I am not saying that this occurs in this day and age, but consider when we drive to the store instead of walking because it is raining. What is the difference?