The Young Man Meets "a Cunning Woman'

The king of Israel next describes a scene that he himself has observed:  "At the window of my house, through my lattice I looked down, that  I might peer upon the inexperienced ones. I was interested in discerning among the sons a young man in want of heart, passing along on the street near her corner, and in the way to her house he marches, in the twilight, in the evening of the day at the approach of the night and the gloom...." -Proverbs 7:6-9. 

The window through which Solomon looks out has a lattice-apparently a frame-work with laths and perhaps elaborate carvings. As the twilight fades, the darkness of the night pours into the streets. He catches sight of a young man who is particularly vulnerable. Lacking discernment, or good sense, he is in want of heart. Likely, he is aware of the type of neighborhood he has entered and what could happen to him there.  The young man comes near "her corner," which is on the way to her house.  Who is she? What is she up t0? 

The observant king continues:  "Look! there was a woman to meet him, with the garment of a prostitute and cunning of heart.  She is  boisterous and stubborn. In her house her feet do not keep residing. Now she is outdoors, now she is in the public squares and near every corner she lies in wait." -Proverbs 7:10-12. 

This woman's manner of dress speaks volumes about her.  (Genesis 38:14, 15) She is dressed immodestly , like a prostitute. Moreover, she is cunning of heart-her mind is "treacherous," her intent "crafty." (An American Translation; New International Version) She is boisterous and stubborn, talkative and headstrong, loud and self-willed, brazen and defiant. Rather than staying at home, she prefers to frequent public places, lurking on street corners to pick up her prey. She is waiting for someone like the yonng man.

Next time: An 'Abundance of Persuasiveness' 

From the Watchtower magazine, 2000