Proverbs 7 in the early church
81 passages quote, allude to, or echo Proverbs 7, grouped by verse; passages on the same verse are in date order. Verse text from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). References use the Protestant English Bible's numbering, with a writer's own numbering in brackets where it differs.
Verses: 1 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 16 · 17 · 18 · 19 · 20 · 21 · 22 · 23 · 24 · 26 · 27
Proverbs 7:1
My son, keep my words and treasure my commandments within you.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 7:1 | Miscellanies 2.8.39 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Prov 7:1 | Didascalia 1.7 (Latin) · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | first half of the third century |
| Prov 7:1 | Exhortation to Martyrdom 21 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | 235 |
| Prov 7:1 | On Saint Athanasius 1.26 · Lucifer of Cagliari | quotation, high confidence | ca. 356–361 |
| Prov 7:1 | Against the Manichees, Greek continuation of book 3, Lagarde p. 89 · Titus of Bostra | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 360s |
| Prov 7:1 | Letter 108.19 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| Prov 7:1 | Apostolic Constitutions 1.7.2 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380 |
Proverbs 7:3
Tie them to your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 7:3 | 1 Clement 2.8 · Clement of Rome | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) |
| Prov 7:3 | Catechetical Lecture 5.12 · Cyril of Jerusalem | allusion, high confidence | ca. 350 |
| Prov 7:3 | Tractates on the Psalms 118.17.5 · Hilary of Poitiers | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 360–367 |
Proverbs 7:4
Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your kinsman,
Proverbs 7:5
that they may keep you from the adulteress, from the stranger with seductive words.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 7:5 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 159 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 7:5 | On the Singleness of Clerics 3 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | 3rd cent. (disputed) |
| Prov 7:5 | Commentary on Matthew, Latin Series 60 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 244–249 (Latin translation, 4th–5th century) |
| Prov 7:5 | Second Apology of David 14 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 384-397 |
| Prov 7:5 | Exposition of Psalm 118 5.30.3 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386-397 |
| Prov 7:5 | On Fleeing the World 35 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 387-391 |
Proverbs 7:6
For at the window of my house I looked through the lattice.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 7:6 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 181 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 7:6–10 | Homilies on Numbers 20.2 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| Prov 7:6–22 | On Cain and Abel 1.14 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 375-378 |
| Prov 7:6–9 | Apostolic Constitutions 1.7.4 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380 |
| Prov 7:6 | Second Apology of David 14 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 384-397 |
| Prov 7:6 | Exposition of Psalm 118 5.30.2 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386-397 |
| Prov 7:6 | Exposition of Psalm 118 5.30.3 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 386-397 |
Proverbs 7:8
crossing the street near her corner, strolling down the road to her house,
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 7:8 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 181 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
Proverbs 7:9
at twilight, as the day was fading into the dark of the night.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 7:9 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 181 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 7:9–12 | Commentary on Jeremiah 1.32 · Jerome | allusion, high confidence | ca. 414-419 |
Proverbs 7:10
Then a woman came out to meet him, with the attire of a harlot and cunning of heart.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 7:10 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 181 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 7:10 | Res. 1.1 · Methodius of Olympus | quotation, high confidence | late 3rd cent. (disputed) |
| Prov 7:10 | Oration 8.9 · Gregory of Nazianzus | allusion, high confidence | ca. 362–383 |
| Prov 7:10–12 | Apostolic Constitutions 1.7.5 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380 |
Proverbs 7:11
She is loud and defiant; her feet do not remain at home.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 7:11 | Second Apology of David 14 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 384-397 |
Proverbs 7:12
Now in the street, now in the squares, she lurks at every corner.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 7:12 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 181 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 7:12 | PG 12:1275 (Ps 25–26 LXX) · Origen | allusion, low confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 7:12 | PG 12:1281 (Ps 26 LXX) · Origen | allusion, low confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 7:12 | Homilies on Ezekiel 8.2 · Origen | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 238–250 (Jerome's translation in the 380s) |
| Prov 7:12 | Second Apology of David 14 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 384-397 |
| Prov 7:12 | Commentary on Jeremiah 1.50 · Jerome | allusion, high confidence | ca. 414-419 |
Proverbs 7:13
She seizes him and kisses him; she brazenly says to him:
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 7:13 | Res. 1.1 · Methodius of Olympus | quotation, high confidence | late 3rd cent. (disputed) |
| Prov 7:13–18 | Apostolic Constitutions 1.7.6 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380 |
| Prov 7:13 | Exposition of Psalm 118 5.30.4 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 386-397 |
Proverbs 7:14
“I have made my peace offerings; today I have paid my vows.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 7:14 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 181 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
Proverbs 7:16
I have decked my bed with coverings, with colored linen from Egypt.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 7:16 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 181 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 7:16 | Lepr. 16 · Methodius of Olympus | allusion, medium confidence | late 3rd cent. (disputed) |
| Prov 7:16 | Second Apology of David 14 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 384-397 |
Proverbs 7:17
I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, with aloes, and with cinnamon.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 7:17 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 181 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
Proverbs 7:18
Come, let us take our fill of love till morning. Let us delight in loving caresses!
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 7:18 | Res. 1.1 · Methodius of Olympus | quotation, high confidence | late 3rd cent. (disputed) |
Proverbs 7:19
For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 7:19 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 181 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 7:19 | Res. 1.1 · Methodius of Olympus | quotation, high confidence | late 3rd cent. (disputed) |
| Prov 7:19 | Second Apology of David 14 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 384-397 |
Proverbs 7:20
He took with him a bag of money and will not return till the moon is full.”
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 7:20 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 181 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 7:20 | Res. 1.1 · Methodius of Olympus | quotation, high confidence | late 3rd cent. (disputed) |
Proverbs 7:21
With her great persuasion she entices him; with her flattering lips she lures him.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 7:21–22 | Apostolic Constitutions 1.7.7 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380 |
| Prov 7:21 | On Noah 34 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 378-384 |
| Prov 7:21 | Exposition of Psalm 118 5.30.4 · Ambrose | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 386-397 |
Proverbs 7:22
He follows her on impulse, like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer bounding into a trap,
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 7:22 | On Proverbs, fragment 14 · Hippolytus of Rome | allusion, high confidence | ca. 200–235 |
| Prov 7:22 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 181 · Origen | allusion, low confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 7:22 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 183 · Origen | allusion, low confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 7:22 | On the Councils of Ariminum and Seleucia 37 · Athanasius of Alexandria | allusion, low confidence | 359 (additions 361) |
Proverbs 7:23
until an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare—not knowing it will cost him his life.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 7:23 | Demonstration 14.43 · Aphrahat | allusion, medium confidence | 337-345 |
| Prov 7:23 | Letter 45 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 357–378 |
| Prov 7:23 | Letter 65.12 · Jerome | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| Prov 7:23 | On Cain and Abel 1.15 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 375-378 |
Proverbs 7:24
Now, my sons, listen to me, and attend to the words of my mouth.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 7:24–27 | On Cain and Abel 1.15 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 375-378 |
Proverbs 7:26
For she has brought many down to death; her slain are many in number.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 7:26–27 | On Proverbs, fragment 15 · Hippolytus of Rome | allusion, high confidence | ca. 200–235 |
| Prov 7:26 | PG 12:1669 (Ps 145–146 LXX) · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 7:26 | Apostolic Constitutions 1.7.9 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380 |
Proverbs 7:27
Her house is the road to Sheol, descending to the chambers of death.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 7:27 | Didascalia 1.7 (Latin) · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | first half of the third century |