Proverbs - 23:28



28 Yes, she lies in wait like a robber, and increases the unfaithful among men.

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Proverbs 23:28.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
She also lieth in wait as for a prey, and increaseth the transgressors among men.
Yea, she lieth in wait as a robber, And increaseth the treacherous among men.
She lieth in wait in the way as a robber, and him whom she shall see unwary, she will kill.
She also, as catching prey, lieth in wait, And the treacherous among men she increaseth.
She also lies in wait as for a prey, and increases the transgressors among men.
Yes, she is waiting secretly like a beast for its food, and deceit by her is increased among men.
She also lieth in wait as a robber, and increaseth the faithless among men.
She lies in wait along the way like a robber. And the incautious one whom she sees, she will put to death.

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

As for a prey - Better as in the margin.
The transgressors - Better, the treacherous," those that attack men treacherously.

Increaseth the transgressors among men - More iniquity springs from this one source of evil, than from any other cause in the whole system of sin. Women and strong drink cause many millions to transgress.

She also lieth in wait as [for] a prey, (m) and increaseth the transgressors among men.
(m) She seduces many and causes them to offend God.

She also lieth in wait as for a prey,.... At the door of her house, in the corner of the streets, in the dark of the night; laying her snares, and spreading her nets, for unwary persons, to make a prey of their virtue and of their money. Or, "as a man of prey" (k); a thief and robber, so Gersom; thus she watches and takes all opportunities to seize on persons, and rob them of their substance, health, and credit; or rather "as a beast of prey"; ravenous, devouring, and insatiable; so the Targum,
"as a beast ravening, she lies in wait with her eyes;''
and increaseth the transgressors among men; there is none that occasions wore sin, or makes more sinners, than a whorish woman; swearing, lying, drunkenness, thieving, stealing, housebreaking, robbing on the highway, &c. are the sins she leads into. Or, "increaseth treacherous" (l) persons; to God, to their king, to their wives, to their master's; and all that they may consume, what they can get by perfidious practices, upon them, or,
"perfidious persons among men, she adds "to herself" (m);''
she gets a parcel of abandoned wretches about her, whom she employs as her panders for her lust, or as bullies to spoil her gallants of their substance, or murder them for the sake of it.
(k) "tanquam vir praedae", Vatablus; "ut praedator", Mercerus, Gejerus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "ut raptor", Cocceius; "velut praedo", Michaelis; "ut harpago", Schultens. (l) "perfidos", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Schultens. (m) "adjungitque sibi", Tigurine version.

increaseth . . . transgressors-- (Proverbs 5:8-10). The vice alluded to is peculiarly hardening to the heart.

*More commentary available at chapter level.


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