Proverbs 7:17 kjv

I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

Proverbs 7:17 nkjv

I have perfumed my bed With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

Proverbs 7:17 niv

I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.

Proverbs 7:17 esv

I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

Proverbs 7:17 nlt

I've perfumed my bed
with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

Proverbs 7 verses

Proverbs 7 17 Meaning

Proverbs 7:17 depicts the adulterous woman meticulously preparing her bed to ensnare the naive young man. She describes using lavish and exotic perfumes—myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon—to impregnate her intimate space with an intoxicating aroma. This act is a deliberate part of her elaborate seductive strategy, designed to overwhelm the senses, dull discretion, and create an atmosphere of irresistible sensual pleasure and luxurious comfort, leading her victim into moral compromise and ruin.

Proverbs 7 17 Context

Proverbs chapter 7 serves as a detailed cautionary tale against the seductive "foreign woman" or "adulteress," contrasting her destructive allure with the protective guidance of wisdom. The father, acting as the sage, graphically illustrates the process of her entrapment, addressing his "son" as the representative of naive youth. Verse 17 is part of the adulteress's seductive monologue, where she openly reveals her tactics. Immediately preceding this verse, she has spoken of having made peace offerings and fulfilled vows (suggesting a pretense of religious piety while planning her sin), thus providing an excuse for the festive setting and abundant provisions. Following this verse, she outlines her next steps in the seduction: direct invitation, promises of marital absence, and escalating flattery to finally entice the young man to her bed. The broader context of Proverbs emphasizes the vital importance of discerning wisdom to escape the deadly path of folly and immorality, a path powerfully embodied by the enticement described here.

Proverbs 7 17 Word analysis

• I have perfumed: The Hebrew word for "perfumed" is ḥāṭaḇ (חָטַב), which typically means "to cut" or "to hew," particularly wood. When associated with perfumes or incense, it implies cutting wood or branches to extract resin or make them suitable for burning, thus permeating the air with fragrance. This suggests a deliberate, physical action taken by the woman to infuse the bed with the desired scents, rather than a mere light spray. It underscores her proactive and meticulous preparation for sin.
• my bed: The Hebrew word is ‘eres (עֶרֶשׂ), referring to a couch or divan, often implying a place of comfort, rest, and intimate association. The specific mention of "my bed" highlights the personal, private space where the consummation of her illicit desires would occur. It signifies her domain, prepared for seduction.
• with myrrh: The Hebrew môr (מוֹר) refers to the highly aromatic gum resin extracted from certain trees, primarily from the genus Commiphora. Myrrh was an expensive commodity, imported from the Arabian Peninsula or East Africa. It was prized for its pungent, bitter-sweet aroma and was used in sacred anointing oils (Ex 30:23), as perfume, and for embalming (Jn 19:39). Its presence signifies luxury, extravagance, and an intoxicating, rich scent.
• aloes: The Hebrew ‘ăhālôt (אֲהָלוֹת) refers to fragrant wood, most likely eaglewood or agarwood, derived from trees (e.g., Aquilaria species) primarily imported from India or Southeast Asia. It was highly prized for its unique, warm, and somewhat balsamic fragrance when burned or used in perfumes. Also very expensive, it symbolized exotic luxury and deep, persistent aroma (Ps 45:8; Song 4:14; Num 24:6).
• and cinnamon: The Hebrew qinnāmôn (קִנָּמוֹן) refers to the well-known spice obtained from the inner bark of cinnamon trees (species of Cinnamomum). Also imported and costly, it was used in the sacred anointing oil (Ex 30:23) and was a valued perfume. Cinnamon’s sweet, warm, and spicy fragrance contributes to an overall effect of sensual warmth and exotic indulgence.
• perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon: This phrase group vividly illustrates the adulteress's extreme lengths and deliberate effort in crafting an enticing environment. The choice of these three specific substances is crucial: they are all costly, imported, and deeply aromatic, creating an overwhelming and exotic sensory experience. This meticulous preparation signals that the trap is carefully laid, targeting the young man's senses to lower his inhibitions and overwhelm his moral judgment, contrasting sharply with true, modest marital intimacy.

Proverbs 7 17 Bonus section

The specific trio of myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon chosen by the adulteress creates a fascinating parallel and contrast within scripture. These very substances are found in various sacred contexts, such as ingredients in the holy anointing oil for the Tabernacle (myrrh, cinnamon – Ex 30:23) or associated with the purity and splendor of the king/messiah (myrrh, aloes – Ps 45:8) and the beauty of the bride in Song of Solomon (myrrh, aloes, cinnamon – Song 4:13-14). This contrast highlights the perverse ingenuity of the seductress: she takes symbols of sacred beauty, covenant purity, or royal splendor and twists them for illicit, unholy purposes. The luxurious aroma that in some contexts points to divine anointing or pure marital love, is here weaponized to lead to destruction. This speaks to the cunning of temptation, which often mimics or distorts true goodness to achieve its evil ends. The "aroma" of her bed is therefore an aroma of spiritual and moral death, standing in stark contrast to the "aroma of Christ" (2 Cor 2:15), which leads to life.

Proverbs 7 17 Commentary

Proverbs 7:17 unmasks one of the insidious methods of the adulteress: the creation of a powerful, intoxicating atmosphere through sensory appeal. Her use of myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon goes beyond simple cleanliness; it is an active enchantment, designed to stimulate and overwhelm the senses. These were not common household scents but expensive, imported luxuries, signifying her lavishness and the high effort she puts into ensnaring her victim. The depth of the fragrance signifies the depth of the deception and the comprehensive nature of the temptation. The aim is to create an irresistible pull, transforming the "bed" from a place of rest into a deliberate locus of sensual enticement, appealing to the carnal desires of the "simple" young man. It illustrates how sin often presents itself adorned and fragrant to draw in its prey. Practically, this reminds believers to guard their senses and to be discerning about environments that appeal to illicit desires rather than honoring God.