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The man who pleases God will escape her, but the sinner she will ensnare. <a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New Living Translation</a> I discovered that a seductive woman is a trap more bitter than death. Her passion is a snare, and her soft hands are chains. Those who are pleasing to God will escape her, but sinners will be caught in her snare. <a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">English Standard Version</a> And I find something more bitter than death: the woman whose heart is snares and nets, and whose hands are fetters. He who pleases God escapes her, but the sinner is taken by her. <a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> And I find more bitter than death the woman who is a snare, whose heart is a net, and whose hands are chains. The man who pleases God escapes her, but the sinner is ensnared. <a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">King James Bible</a> And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her. <a href="/nkjv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New King James Version</a> And I find more bitter than death The woman whose heart is snares and nets, Whose hands are fetters. He who pleases God shall escape from her, But the sinner shall be trapped by her. <a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And I discovered as more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, whose hands are chains. One who is pleasing to God will escape from her, but the sinner will be captured by her. <a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">NASB 1995</a> And I discovered more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, whose hands are chains. One who is pleasing to God will escape from her, but the sinner will be captured by her. <a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And I discovered more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, whose hands are chains. One who is pleasing to God will escape from her, but the sinner will be captured by her. <a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And I found more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, whose hands are chains. One who is good before God will escape from her, but the sinner will be captured by her. <a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a> And I discovered that [of all irrational sins none has been so destructive in beguiling one away from God as immoral women for] more bitter than death is the woman whose heart is [composed of] snares and nets, and whose hands are chains. Whoever pleases God will escape from her, but the sinner will be taken captive by her [evil]. <a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> And I find more bitter than death the woman who is a trap: her heart a net and her hands chains. The one who pleases God will escape her, but the sinner will be captured by her. <a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> And I find more bitter than death the woman who is a trap, her heart a net, and her hands chains. The one who pleases God will escape her, but the sinner will be captured by her. &#8220 <a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">American Standard Version</a> And I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, and whose hands are bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her. <a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Here is what I discovered: A bad woman is worse than death. She is a trap, reaching out with body and soul to catch you. But if you obey God, you can escape. If you don't obey, you are done for. <a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">English Revised Version</a> And I find a thing more bitter than death, even the woman whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her. <a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> I find that a woman whose thoughts are [like] traps and snares is more bitter than death itself. Even her hands are [like] chains. Whoever pleases God will escape her, but she will catch whoever continues to sin. <a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Good News Translation</a> I found something more bitter than death--the woman who is like a trap. The love she offers you will catch you like a net, and her arms around you will hold you like a chain. A man who pleases God can get away, but she will catch the sinner. <a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">International Standard Version</a> I discovered for myself a bitterness that surpasses that of death: the woman whose heart is full of snares and nets, whose hands are chains of bondage. Whoever pleases God will escape from her, but the transgressor will be trapped by her. <a href="/net/ecclesiastes/7.htm">NET Bible</a> I discovered this: More bitter than death is the kind of woman who is like a hunter's snare; her heart is like a hunter's net and her hands are like prison chains. The man who pleases God escapes her, but the sinner is captured by her. <a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and traps, whose hands are chains. Whoever pleases God shall escape from her; but the sinner will be ensnared by her. <a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoever pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> And I find more bitter than death the woman who is a snare, whose heart is a net, and whose hands are chains. The man who pleases God escapes her, but the sinner is ensnared. <a href="/web/ecclesiastes/7.htm">World English Bible</a> I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and traps, whose hands are chains. Whoever pleases God shall escape from her; but the sinner will be ensnared by her. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And I am finding more bitter than death, the woman whose heart [is] nets and snares, her hands [are] bands; the good before God escapes from her, but the sinner is captured by her. <a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And I am finding more bitter than death, the woman whose heart is nets and snares, her hands are bands; the good before God escapeth from her, but the sinner is captured by her. <a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And I find bitter above death the woman that her heart it is snares and nets, her hands are bonds: the good one before God shall escape from her, and he sinning shall be taken by her.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And I have found a woman more bitter than death, who is the hunter's snare, and her heart is a net, and her hands are bands. He that pleaseth God shall escape from her: but he that is a sinner, shall be caught by her. <a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> <V 7:27>And I have discovered a woman more bitter than death: she who is like the snare of a hunter, and whose heart is like a net, and whose hands are like chains. Whoever pleases God shall flee from her. But whoever is a sinner shall be seized by her. <a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New American Bible</a> More bitter than death I find the woman who is a hunter’s trap, whose heart is a snare, whose hands are prison bonds. The one who pleases God will be delivered from her, but the one who displeases will be entrapped by her. <a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> I found more bitter than death the woman who is a trap, whose heart is snares and nets, whose hands are fetters; one who pleases God escapes her, but the sinner is taken by her.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, and whose hands bind him who is good; he who is good in the presence of God shall escape from her; but he who sins shall be caught by her. <a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And I have found that more bitter than death is a wife who is a snare and her heart a net; she has bound the hands of him who is good; he who is good in front of God is delivered from her, and he who sins is caught by her<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/7.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> and I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands; whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her. <a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And I find her to be, and I will pronounce to be more bitter than death the woman which is a snare, and her heart nets, who has a band in her hands: he that is good in the sight of God shall be delivered from her; but the sinner shall be caught by her. <a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/7-26.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8-2fxj-VcEg?start=1372" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">The Limits of Human Wisdom</a> …25I directed my mind to understand, to explore, to search out wisdom and explanations, and to understand the stupidity of wickedness and the folly of madness. 26<a href="/hebrew/589.htm" title="589: ’ă·nî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Contracted from 'anokiy; I.">And I</a> <a href="/hebrew/4672.htm" title="4672: ū·mō·w·ṣe (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To attain to, find. ">find</a> <a href="/hebrew/4751.htm" title="4751: mar (Adj-ms) -- Bitter, bitterness. Or marah; from marar; bitter; also bitterness, or bitterly.">more bitter</a> <a href="/hebrew/4194.htm" title="4194: mim·mā·weṯ (Prep-m:: N-ms) -- Death. From muwth; death; concretely, the dead, their place or state; figuratively, pestilence, ruin.">than death</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: hā·’iš·šāh (Art:: N-fs) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">the woman</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer- (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">who</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hî (Pro-3fs) -- He, she, it. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/4685.htm" title="4685: mə·ṣō·w·ḏîm (N-mp) -- A net, a, fastness, tower. Or mtsowdah; or mtsodah; from tsuwd; a net.">is a snare,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3820.htm" title="3820: lib·bāh (N-msc:: 3fs) -- A form of lebab; the heart; also used very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything.">whose heart</a> <a href="/hebrew/2764.htm" title="2764: wa·ḥă·rā·mîm (Conj-w:: N-mp) -- A net, a doomed object, extermination. Or cherem; from charam; physical a net; usually a doomed object; abstr. Extermination.">is a net,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: yā·ḏe·hā (N-fdc:: 3fs) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">and whose hands</a> <a href="/hebrew/612.htm" title="612: ’ă·sū·rîm (N-mp) -- A band, bond. From 'acar; a bond.">are chains.</a> <a href="/hebrew/2896.htm" title="2896: ṭō·wḇ (Adj-ms) -- Pleasant, agreeable, good.">The man who pleases</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lip̄·nê (Prep-l:: N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition."></a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">God</a> <a href="/hebrew/4422.htm" title="4422: yim·mā·lêṭ (V-Nifal-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to be smooth, i.e. to escape; causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth young, emit sparks.">escapes</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: mim·men·nāh (Prep:: 3fs) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses.">her,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2398.htm" title="2398: wə·ḥō·w·ṭê (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to miss; hence to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn.">but the sinner</a> <a href="/hebrew/3920.htm" title="3920: yil·lā·ḵeḏ (V-Nifal-Imperf-3ms) -- To capture, seize, take. A primitive root; to catch; generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose; figuratively, to cohere.">is ensnared.</a> <a href="/hebrew/bāh (Prep:: 3fs) -- "></a> 27“Behold,” says the Teacher, “I have discovered this by adding one thing to another to find an explanation.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/proverbs/5-3.htm">Proverbs 5:3-5</a> Though the lips of the forbidden woman drip honey and her speech is smoother than oil, / in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a double-edged sword. / Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to Sheol. <a href="/proverbs/7-24.htm">Proverbs 7:24-27</a> Now, my sons, listen to me, and attend to the words of my mouth. / Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways; do not stray into her paths. / For she has brought many down to death; her slain are many in number. ... <a href="/proverbs/22-14.htm">Proverbs 22:14</a> The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; he who is under the wrath of the LORD will fall into it. <a href="/proverbs/6-24.htm">Proverbs 6:24-26</a> to keep you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress. / Do not lust in your heart for her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes. / For the levy of the prostitute is poverty, and the adulteress preys upon your very life. <a href="/proverbs/9-13.htm">Proverbs 9:13-18</a> The woman named Folly is loud; she is naive and knows nothing. / She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the heights of the city, / calling out to those who pass by, who make their paths straight. ... <a href="/judges/16-4.htm">Judges 16:4-21</a> Some time later, Samson fell in love with a woman in the Valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. / The lords of the Philistines went to her and said, “Entice him and find out the source of his great strength and how we can overpower him to tie him up and subdue him. Then each one of us will give you eleven hundred shekels of silver.” / So Delilah said to Samson, “Please tell me the source of your great strength and how you can be tied up and subdued.” ... <a href="/1_kings/11-1.htm">1 Kings 11:1-4</a> King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh—women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon, as well as Hittite women. / These women were from the nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, for surely they will turn your hearts after their gods.” Yet Solomon clung to these women in love. / He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines—and his wives turned his heart away. ... <a href="/nehemiah/13-26.htm">Nehemiah 13:26</a> Did not King Solomon of Israel sin in matters like this? There was not a king like him among many nations, and he was loved by his God, who made him king over all Israel—yet foreign women drew him into sin. <a href="/genesis/39-7.htm">Genesis 39:7-12</a> and after some time his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph and said, “Sleep with me.” / But he refused. “Look,” he said to his master’s wife, “with me here, my master does not concern himself with anything in his house, and he has entrusted everything he owns to my care. / No one in this house is greater than I am. He has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God?” ... <a href="/proverbs/2-16.htm">Proverbs 2:16-19</a> It will rescue you from the forbidden woman, from the stranger with seductive words / who abandons the partner of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God. / For her house sinks down to death, and her tracks to the departed spirits. ... <a href="/proverbs/23-27.htm">Proverbs 23:27-28</a> For a prostitute is a deep pit, and an adulteress is a narrow well. / Like a robber she lies in wait and multiplies the faithless among men. <a href="/1_corinthians/6-18.htm">1 Corinthians 6:18</a> Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a man can commit is outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. <a href="/matthew/5-28.htm">Matthew 5:28</a> But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. <a href="/1_timothy/2-14.htm">1 Timothy 2:14</a> And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman who was deceived and fell into transgression. <a href="/revelation/2-20.htm">Revelation 2:20-22</a> But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads My servants to be sexually immoral and to eat food sacrificed to idols. / Even though I have given her time to repent of her immorality, she is unwilling. / Behold, I will cast her onto a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her will suffer great tribulation unless they repent of her deeds.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoever pleases God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.I find<a href="/judges/16-18.htm">Judges 16:18-21</a> And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, Come up this once, for he hath shewed me all his heart. Then the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and brought money in their hand… <a href="/proverbs/2-18.htm">Proverbs 2:18,19</a> For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead… <a href="/proverbs/5-3.htm">Proverbs 5:3-5</a> For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: … whoso pleaseth God<a href="/ecclesiastes/2-26.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:26</a> For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/31-24.htm">Bands</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-6.htm">Bitter</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-6.htm">Captured</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-28.htm">Caught</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-9.htm">Chains</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-2.htm">Death</a> <a href="/psalms/44-21.htm">Discovered</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-8.htm">Ensnare</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-6.htm">Ensnared</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-18.htm">Escape</a> <a href="/1_kings/19-17.htm">Escapeth</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-24.htm">Find</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-35.htm">Finding</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-20.htm">Free</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-12.htm">Full</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-20.htm">Good</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-6.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-25.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-5.htm">Nets</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-16.htm">Pleased</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-26.htm">Pleases</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-1.htm">Pleaseth</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-4.htm">Pleasing</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-26.htm">Sinner</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-25.htm">Snare</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-5.htm">Snares</a> <a href="/psalms/141-9.htm">Traps</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/3-20.htm">Bands</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-15.htm">Bitter</a> <a href="/isaiah/8-15.htm">Captured</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-12.htm">Caught</a> <a href="/songs/1-10.htm">Chains</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-8.htm">Death</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-27.htm">Discovered</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-21.htm">Ensnare</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-12.htm">Ensnared</a> <a href="/isaiah/15-9.htm">Escape</a> <a href="/isaiah/15-9.htm">Escapeth</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-27.htm">Find</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-28.htm">Finding</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-8.htm">Free</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-11.htm">Full</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-12.htm">Good</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-1.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-5.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-8.htm">Nets</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-7.htm">Pleased</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-3.htm">Pleases</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-3.htm">Pleaseth</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-3.htm">Pleasing</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-8.htm">Sinner</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-12.htm">Snare</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-26.htm">Snares</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-26.htm">Traps</a><div class="vheading2">Ecclesiastes 7</div>1. <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-1.htm">remedies against vanity are, a good name</a> 2. <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-2.htm">mortification</a> 7. <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-7.htm">patience</a> 11. <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-11.htm">wisdom</a> 23. <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-23.htm">The difficulty of wisdom</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ecclesiastes/7.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>And I find more bitter than death This phrase reflects the deep anguish and distress that the author, traditionally believed to be Solomon, experiences. In the biblical context, death is often seen as the ultimate end of earthly suffering, yet here, the bitterness of the situation surpasses even that. This hyperbolic expression emphasizes the severity of the entrapment described. In the wisdom literature, such as Proverbs, Solomon frequently warns against the dangers of folly and sin, often personified as a seductive woman (<a href="/proverbs/5-3.htm">Proverbs 5:3-5</a>).the woman who is a snare The imagery of a snare suggests entrapment and deception. In ancient Israel, snares were used by hunters to catch animals, symbolizing cunning and hidden danger. This metaphor aligns with warnings found in Proverbs about the seductive and destructive nature of certain relationships (<a href="/proverbs/7-21.htm">Proverbs 7:21-23</a>). The "woman" here can be understood as a representation of temptation and folly, rather than a literal person, highlighting the spiritual and moral dangers that can lead one away from God.whose heart is a net A net, like a snare, is a tool for capturing and entangling. The heart, in biblical terms, often represents the center of one's being, including thoughts, emotions, and will. This phrase suggests that the intentions and desires of this "woman" are designed to entrap and control. The heart's deceitfulness is a recurring theme in Scripture (<a href="/jeremiah/17-9.htm">Jeremiah 17:9</a>), warning believers to guard their hearts against such entanglements.and whose hands are chains Chains symbolize bondage and lack of freedom. This imagery conveys the idea of being held captive by sin and temptation. In the New Testament, Paul speaks of being a slave to sin (<a href="/romans/6-16.htm">Romans 6:16</a>), and this phrase echoes that concept, illustrating the spiritual bondage that results from succumbing to temptation.The man who pleases God escapes her This part of the verse offers hope and a solution. Pleasing God involves living a life of obedience and righteousness, as seen in the lives of biblical figures like Joseph, who fled from temptation (<a href="/genesis/39-12.htm">Genesis 39:12</a>). The promise of escape suggests divine protection and guidance for those who seek to live according to God's will. It aligns with the New Testament assurance that God provides a way out of temptation (<a href="/1_corinthians/10-13.htm">1 Corinthians 10:13</a>).but the sinner is ensnared The contrast here highlights the consequences of living in sin. The sinner, one who rejects God's ways, becomes trapped by the very temptations they pursue. This reflects the biblical principle of reaping what one sows (<a href="/galatians/6-7.htm">Galatians 6:7-8</a>). The ensnarement serves as a warning of the spiritual and moral consequences of turning away from God, emphasizing the importance of seeking wisdom and righteousness.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a> Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the king of Israel known for his wisdom, wealth, and writings. His reflections in Ecclesiastes are often seen as a culmination of his life experiences and observations. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_woman_as_a_snare.htm">The Woman as a Snare</a> This metaphorical figure represents temptation and the dangers of succumbing to sinful desires. In the context of Solomon's writings, it may reflect his own experiences with relationships that led him away from God. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_man_who_pleases_god.htm">The Man Who Pleases God</a> This refers to a person who seeks to live righteously and in accordance with God's will, thereby avoiding the pitfalls of temptation. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_sinner.htm">The Sinner</a> Represents those who live in opposition to God's commands and are therefore more susceptible to being ensnared by sin. 5. <a href="/topical/d/death.htm">Death</a> Used here as a comparison to highlight the severity of the consequences of falling into temptation.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_temptation.htm">The Danger of Temptation</a> Temptation can be more destructive than physical death because it leads to spiritual death and separation from God. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_pleasing_god.htm">The Importance of Pleasing God</a> Living a life that pleases God provides protection and wisdom to avoid the snares of sin. <a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_sin.htm">The Consequences of Sin</a> Sin entraps and enslaves, leading to a life of bondage and regret. <a href="/topical/w/wisdom_in_relationships.htm">Wisdom in Relationships</a> Choose relationships wisely, as they can either lead you closer to God or away from Him. <a href="/topical/g/god's_provision_of_escape.htm">God's Provision of Escape</a> Trust in God's faithfulness to provide a way out of temptation, reinforcing the need for reliance on Him.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ecclesiastes_7.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 7</a> <a href="/q/rich_and_poor__what_after_death.htm">What happens to the rich and poor after death?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_wealth_as_a_blessing_fit_with_nt.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:19 depicts wealth as a divine blessing; how does this harmonize with New Testament teachings that caution against riches?</a> <a href="/q/is_ecclesiastes_10_8_literal_or_metaphorical.htm">When Ecclesiastes 10:8 warns that whoever digs a pit may fall into it, is this literal or metaphorical, and are there any historical or archaeological findings to support such fatalistic outcomes?</a> <a href="/q/does_ecclesiastes_7_16_conflict_with_matthew_6_33.htm">In Ecclesiastes 7:16, being 'overly righteous' is discouraged--doesn't this conflict with biblical commands to live righteously (e.g., Matthew 6:33)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>-26<a href="//apocrypha.org/ecclesiasticus/9-3.htm" title="Meet not with an harlot, lest thou fall into her snares.">Ecclesiasticus 9:3</a>; <a href="//apocrypha.org/ecclesiasticus/26-23.htm" title="A wicked woman is given as a portion to a wicked man: but a godly woman is given to him that feareth the Lord.">Ecclesiasticus 26:23</a>.Snares.--See <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-12.htm" title="For man also knows not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falls suddenly on them.">Ecclesiastes 9:12</a>; used for siege works, <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-14.htm" title="There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it:">Ecclesiastes 9:14</a>.Nets.--<a href="/habakkuk/1-15.htm" title="They take up all of them with the angle, they catch them in their net, and gather them in their drag: therefore they rejoice and are glad.">Habakkuk 1:15</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/26-5.htm" title="It shall be a place for the spreading of nets in the middle of the sea: for I have spoken it, said the Lord GOD: and it shall become a spoil to the nations.">Ezekiel 26:5</a>. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 26. - One practical result of his quest Koheleth cannot avoid mentioning, though it comes with a suddenness which is somewhat startling. And I find more bitter than death the woman. Tracing men's folly and madness to their source, he finds that they arise generally from the seductions of the female sex. Beginning with Adam, woman has continued to work mischief in the world. "Of the woman came the beginning of sin," says Siracides, "and through her we all die" (Ecclus. 25:24); it was owing to her that the punishment of death was inflicted on the human race. If Solomon himself were speaking, he had indeed a bitter experience of the sin and misery into which women lead their victims (see <a href="/1_kings/11-1.htm">1 Kings 11:1, 4, 11</a>). It may be thought that Koheleth refers here especially to "the strange woman" of <a href="/proverbs/2-16.htm">Proverbs 2:16</a>, etc.; Proverbs 5:3, etc.; but in ver. 28 he speaks of the whole sex without qualification; so that we must conclude that he had a very low opinion of them. It is no ideal personage whom he is introducing; it is not a personification of vice or folly; but woman in her totality, such as he knew her to be in Oriental courts and homes, denied her proper position, degraded, uneducated, all natural affections crushed or undeveloped, the plaything of her lord, to be flung aside at any moment. It is not surprising that Koheleth's impression of the female sex should be unfavorable. He is not singular in such an opinion. One might fill a large page with proverbs and gnomes uttered in disparagement of woman by men of all ages and countries. Men, having the making of such apothegms, have used their license unmercifully; if the maligned sex had equal liberty, the tables might have been reversed. But, really, in this as in other cases the mean is the safest; and practically those who have given the darkest picture of women have not been slow to recognize the brighter side. If. for instance, the Book of Proverbs paints the adulteress and the harlot in the soberest, most appalling colors, the same book affords us such a sketch of the virtuous matron as is unequalled for vigor, truth, and high appreciation. And if, as in our present chapter, Koheleth shows a bitter feeling against the evil side of woman's nature, he knows how to value the comfort of married life (<a href="/ecclesiastes/4-8.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:8</a>), and to look upon a good wife as one who makes a man's home happy (<a href="/ecclesiastes/9-9.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:9</a>). Since the incarnation of our blessed Lord Jesus Christ, "the Seed of the woman," we have learned to regard woman in her true light, and to assign her that position to which she is entitled, giving honor unto her as the weaker vessel, and, at the same time, heir with us of the glorious hope and destiny of our renewed nature (<a href="/1_peter/3-7.htm">1 Peter 3:7</a>). Whose heart is snares and nets; more accurately, who is snares, and nets in her heart; Septuagint, "The woman who is a snare, and her heart nets;" Vulgate, Quae laqueus venatorum est, et sagena cot ejus. The imagery is obvious (comp. <a href="/proverbs/5-4.htm">Proverbs 5:4, 22</a>: 7:22; 22:14; <a href="/habakkuk/1-15.htm">Habakkuk 1:15</a>); the thoughts of the evil woman's heart are nets, occupied in meditating how she may entrap and retain victims; and her outward look and words are snares that captivate the foolish, Μὴ ὑπάντα γυναικὶ ἑταιριζομένη, says the Son of Sirach, "Lest thou fall 'into her snares" (Ecclus. 9:3). Plautus, 'Asin.,' 1:3. 67 - "Auceps sum ego; Esca est meretrix; lectus illex est; amatores aves. "The fowler I; My bait the courtesan; her bed the lure; The birds the lovers." So ancient critics, stronger m morals than in etymology, derive Venus from venari, "to hunt," and mulier Item mollire, "to soften," or malleus, "a hammer," because the devil uses women to mould and fashion men to his will. And her hands as bands, Asurim, "bands" or "fetters," is found in <a href="/judges/15-14.htm">Judges 15:14</a>, where it is used of the chains with which the men of Judah bound Samson; it refers here to the wicked woman's voluptuous embraces. Whoso pleaseth God (more literally, he who is good before God) shall escape from her. He whom God regards as good (<a href="/ecclesiastes/2-26.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:26</a>, where see note) shall have grace to avoid these seductions. But the sinner shall be taken by her; בָּהּ, "in her," in the snare which is herself. In some manuscripts of Ecclesiasticus (26:23) are these words; "A wicked woman is given as a portion to a wicked man; but a godly woman is given to him that feareth the Lord." <a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/7-26.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>And I אֲנִ֜י (’ă·nî) Pronoun - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_589.htm">Strong's 589: </a> I find וּמוֹצֶ֨א (ū·mō·w·ṣe) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4672.htm">Strong's 4672: </a> To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present more bitter מַ֣ר (mar) Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4751.htm">Strong's 4751: </a> Bitter, bitterness, bitterly than מִמֶּ֔נָּה (mim·men·nāh) Preposition | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> A part of, from, out of death מִמָּ֗וֶת (mim·mā·weṯ) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4194.htm">Strong's 4194: </a> Death, the dead, their place, state, pestilence, ruin the woman הָֽאִשָּׁה֙ (hā·’iš·šāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> Woman, wife, female who אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-) Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that [is] a snare, מְצוֹדִ֧ים (mə·ṣō·w·ḏîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4685.htm">Strong's 4685: </a> A net, a, fastness, tower whose heart לִבָּ֖הּ (lib·bāh) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3820.htm">Strong's 3820: </a> The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre [is] a net, וַחֲרָמִ֛ים (wa·ḥă·rā·mîm) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2764.htm">Strong's 2764: </a> A net, a doomed object, extermination and whose hands יָדֶ֑יהָ (yā·ḏe·hā) Noun - fdc | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> A hand [are] chains. אֲסוּרִ֣ים (’ă·sū·rîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_612.htm">Strong's 612: </a> A band, bond The man who pleases ט֞וֹב (ṭō·wḇ) Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2896.htm">Strong's 2896: </a> Pleasant, agreeable, good God הָאֱלֹהִים֙ (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative will escape her, יִמָּלֵ֣ט (yim·mā·lêṭ) Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4422.htm">Strong's 4422: </a> To be smooth, to escape, to release, rescue, to bring forth young, emit sparks but the sinner וְחוֹטֵ֖א (wə·ḥō·w·ṭê) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2398.htm">Strong's 2398: </a> To miss, to sin, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn will be ensnared. יִלָּ֥כֶד (yil·lā·ḵeḏ) Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3920.htm">Strong's 3920: </a> To catch, to capture, occupy, to choose, to cohere <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/7-26.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:26 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/7-26.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:26 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/7-26.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:26 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/7-26.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:26 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/7-26.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:26 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/7-26.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:26 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/7-26.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:26 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/7-26.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:26 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/7-26.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:26 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/7-26.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:26 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-26.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 7:26 I find more bitter than death (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-25.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 7:25"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 7:25" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-27.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 7:27"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 7:27" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>