Proverbs 7:14 Study Bible: "Sacrifices of peace offerings are with me. This day I have paid my vows.

◄ Proverbs 7:14 ►

"I have made my peace offerings; today I have paid my vows.

I have made my peace offerings
The phrase "peace offerings" refers to a type of sacrifice in the Old Testament, known in Hebrew as "shelamim." These offerings were part of the Levitical law, primarily described in Leviticus 3 and 7. The peace offering was a voluntary act of worship, expressing thanksgiving and fellowship with God. It symbolized reconciliation and communion, often shared as a communal meal. In the context of Proverbs 7, the speaker uses this religious act to feign piety and sincerity, masking ulterior motives. Historically, peace offerings were a significant part of Israelite worship, emphasizing the importance of genuine devotion over mere ritualistic observance.

today I have paid my vows
The act of paying vows was a serious commitment in ancient Israel, as vows were promises made to God, often in exchange for His favor or blessing. The Hebrew word for "vows" is "neder," which signifies a solemn promise or pledge. In the cultural and religious context, fulfilling vows was seen as an act of integrity and faithfulness. However, in this passage, the speaker's declaration of having paid vows is used deceitfully, suggesting a superficial adherence to religious duties. This highlights the danger of using religious observance as a facade for immoral intentions. The historical context underscores the importance of sincerity in one's relationship with God, as opposed to mere outward compliance.

Persons / Places / Events

1. The Adulterous Woman
In Proverbs 7, the speaker describes an encounter with a seductive woman who represents temptation and folly. She uses religious language to lure the young man into sin.

2. The Young Man
A naive and inexperienced individual who is easily led astray by the woman's enticing words and actions.

3. The House of the Adulterous Woman
Symbolizes a place of temptation and sin, contrasting with the house of wisdom described elsewhere in Proverbs.

4. Peace Offerings
In the Old Testament, peace offerings were sacrifices made to God, often as a sign of thanksgiving or fulfillment of a vow. They were part of the Levitical law and involved sharing a meal.

5. Vows
Commitments made to God, often involving a promise to perform a specific act or sacrifice. Paying vows was a serious religious duty in ancient Israel.

Teaching Points

The Deceptive Use of Religion
The adulterous woman uses religious language to mask her true intentions. This warns us against using religious practices as a facade for sinful behavior.

The Importance of Discernment
Believers must develop discernment to recognize when religious language is being used manipulatively. True wisdom comes from a heart aligned with God's will.

The Seriousness of Vows
Making vows to God is a serious commitment. We should be cautious and sincere in our promises, ensuring they align with God's Word.

Guarding Against Temptation
The passage serves as a reminder to guard our hearts and minds against temptation, seeking God's wisdom and strength to resist.

Authentic Worship
True worship involves sincerity and integrity, not just outward rituals. Our actions should reflect a genuine relationship with God.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the use of religious language by the adulterous woman in Proverbs 7:14 serve as a warning for us today?

2. In what ways can we ensure that our religious practices are genuine and not just outward rituals?

3. How does the concept of peace offerings in the Old Testament relate to our understanding of worship and thanksgiving today?

4. What steps can we take to develop discernment and avoid being led astray by deceptive influences?

5. How can we apply the teachings of Proverbs 7:14 to our daily lives, particularly in the context of making and keeping commitments to God?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Leviticus 7
Provides details on peace offerings, highlighting their role in the sacrificial system and their communal aspect.

Ecclesiastes 5
Discusses the importance of fulfilling vows made to God, emphasizing the seriousness of making and keeping promises.

Matthew 5
Jesus teaches about the heart's intentions, warning against using religious acts as a cover for sinful behavior.

Sermons

A Tragedy of Temptation	E. Johnson	Proverbs 7:1-27
The Two Ways	W. Clarkson	Proverbs 7:1-27

People

Solomon

Places

Jerusalem

Topics

Completed, Due, Effected, Feast, Fulfilled, Home, Oaths, Offer, Offerings, Paid, Payed, Peace, Peace-offerings, Sacrifices, To-day, Vows

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Proverbs 7:14

5741 vows
7364 fellowship offering

Proverbs 7:1-22

6241 seduction

Proverbs 7:6-27

5276 crime

Proverbs 7:7-23

8757 folly, effects of

Library

Twelfth Sunday after Trinity Gospel Transcends Law.
Text: 2 Corinthians 3, 4-11. 4 And such confidence have we through Christ to God-ward: 5 not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God; 6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 7 But if the ministration of death, written, and engraven on stones, came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look stedfastly upon …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

Appendix 2 Extracts from the Babylon Talmud
Massecheth Berachoth, or Tractate on Benedictions [76] Mishnah--From what time is the "Shema" said in the evening? From the hour that the priests entered to eat of their therumah [77] until the end of the first night watch. [78] These are the words of Rabbi Eliezer. But the sages say: Till midnight. Rabban Gamaliel says: Until the column of the morning (the dawn) rises. It happened, that his sons came back from a banquet. They said to him: "We have not said the Shema.'" He said to them, "If the column …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Blessed are the Poor in Spirit
Having spoken of the general notion of blessedness, I come next to consider the subjects of this blessedness, and these our Saviour has deciphered to be the poor in spirit, the mourners, etc. But before I touch upon these, I shall attempt a little preface or paraphrase upon this sermon of the beatitudes. 1 Observe the divinity in this sermon, which goes beyond all philosophy. The philosophers use to say that one contrary expels another; but here one contrary begets another. Poverty is wont to expel …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

The Desire of the Righteous Granted;
OR, A DISCOURSE OF THE RIGHTEOUS MAN'S DESIRES. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR As the tree is known by its fruit, so is the state of a man's heart known by his desires. The desires of the righteous are the touchstone or standard of Christian sincerity--the evidence of the new birth--the spiritual barometer of faith and grace--and the springs of obedience. Christ and him crucified is the ground of all our hopes--the foundation upon which all our desires after God and holiness are built--and the root …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Dogmatic.
I. (i) Against Eunomius. The work under this title comprises five books, the first three generally accepted as genuine, the last two sometimes regarded as doubtful. Gregory of Nazianzus, [303] Jerome, [304] and Theodoret [305] all testify to Basil's having written against Eunomius, but do not specify the number of books. Books IV. and V. are accepted by Bellarmine, Du Pin, Tillemont, and Ceillier, mainly on the authority of the edict of Justinian against the Three Chapters (Mansi ix., 552), …
Basil—Basil: Letters and Select Works

On the Symbols of the Essence' and Coessential. '
We must look at the sense not the wording. The offence excited is at the sense; meaning of the Symbols; the question of their not being in Scripture. Those who hesitate only at coessential,' not to be considered Arians. Reasons why coessential' is better than like-in-essence,' yet the latter may be interpreted in a good sense. Explanation of the rejection of coessential' by the Council which condemned the Samosatene; use of the word by Dionysius of Alexandria; parallel variation in the use of Unoriginate; …
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

A Believer's Privilege at Death
'For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.' Phil 1:1I. Hope is a Christian's anchor, which he casts within the veil. Rejoicing in hope.' Rom 12:12. A Christian's hope is not in this life, but he hash hope in his death.' Prov 14:42. The best of a saint's comfort begins when his life ends; but the wicked have all their heaven here. Woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.' Luke 6:64. You may make your acquittance, and write Received in full payment.' Son, remember that …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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