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.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 7:1Miscellanies 2.8.39 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, medium confidenceca. 198–203
Prov 7:1Didascalia 1.7 (Latin) · Anonymousquotation, high confidencefirst half of the third century
Prov 7:1Exhortation to Martyrdom 21 · Origenquotation, high confidence235
Prov 7:1On Saint Athanasius 1.26 · Lucifer of Cagliariquotation, high confidenceca. 356–361
Prov 7:1Against the Manichees, Greek continuation of book 3, Lagarde p. 89 · Titus of Bostraquotation, medium confidenceca. 360s
Prov 7:1Letter 108.19 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 370–419
Prov 7:1Apostolic Constitutions 1.7.2 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 380

Proverbs 7:3

Tie them to your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 7:31 Clement 2.8 · Clement of Romeallusion, medium confidenceca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100)
Prov 7:3Catechetical Lecture 5.12 · Cyril of Jerusalemallusion, high confidenceca. 350
Prov 7:3Tractates on the Psalms 118.17.5 · Hilary of Poitiersallusion, medium confidenceca. 360–367

Proverbs 7:4

Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your kinsman,

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 7:4Fragments on Proverbs, column 175 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 7:4Fragments on Proverbs, column 179 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 7:4Fragments on Proverbs, column 181 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 7:4PG 12:1639 (Ps 127–128 LXX) · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 7:4On the Singleness of Clerics 3 · Anonymousquotation, medium confidence3rd cent. (disputed)
Prov 7:4Commentary on Matthew, Latin Series 60 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 244–249 (Latin translation, 4th–5th century)
Prov 7:4Preparation for the Gospel 12.18.6 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 313–324
Prov 7:4On Ecclesiastical Theology 3.2.2 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 337–339
Prov 7:4On Ecclesiastical Theology 3.2.4 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 337–339
Prov 7:4On Ecclesiastical Theology 3.2.6 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 337–339
Prov 7:4Oration 6.3 · Gregory of Nazianzusquotation, high confidenceca. 362–383
Prov 7:4Homilies 12.1 · Basil of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 363-378
Prov 7:4–5Apostolic Constitutions 1.7.3 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 380
Prov 7:4Second Apology of David 14 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 384-397

Proverbs 7:5

that they may keep you from the adulteress, from the stranger with seductive words.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 7:5Fragments on Proverbs, column 159 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 7:5On the Singleness of Clerics 3 · Anonymousquotation, high confidence3rd cent. (disputed)
Prov 7:5Commentary on Matthew, Latin Series 60 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 244–249 (Latin translation, 4th–5th century)
Prov 7:5Second Apology of David 14 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 384-397
Prov 7:5Exposition of Psalm 118 5.30.3 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397
Prov 7:5On Fleeing the World 35 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 387-391

Proverbs 7:6

For at the window of my house I looked through the lattice.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 7:6Fragments on Proverbs, column 181 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 7:6–10Homilies on Numbers 20.2 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Prov 7:6–22On Cain and Abel 1.14 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 375-378
Prov 7:6–9Apostolic Constitutions 1.7.4 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 380
Prov 7:6Second Apology of David 14 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 384-397
Prov 7:6Exposition of Psalm 118 5.30.2 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397
Prov 7:6Exposition of Psalm 118 5.30.3 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 386-397

Proverbs 7:8

crossing the street near her corner, strolling down the road to her house,

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 7:8Fragments on Proverbs, column 181 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254

Proverbs 7:9

at twilight, as the day was fading into the dark of the night.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 7:9Fragments on Proverbs, column 181 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 7:9–12Commentary on Jeremiah 1.32 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 414-419

Proverbs 7:10

Then a woman came out to meet him, with the attire of a harlot and cunning of heart.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 7:10Fragments on Proverbs, column 181 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 7:10Res. 1.1 · Methodius of Olympusquotation, high confidencelate 3rd cent. (disputed)
Prov 7:10Oration 8.9 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, high confidenceca. 362–383
Prov 7:10–12Apostolic Constitutions 1.7.5 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 380

Proverbs 7:11

She is loud and defiant; her feet do not remain at home.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 7:11Second Apology of David 14 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 384-397

Proverbs 7:12

Now in the street, now in the squares, she lurks at every corner.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 7:12Fragments on Proverbs, column 181 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 7:12PG 12:1275 (Ps 25–26 LXX) · Origenallusion, low confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 7:12PG 12:1281 (Ps 26 LXX) · Origenallusion, low confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 7:12Homilies on Ezekiel 8.2 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 238–250 (Jerome's translation in the 380s)
Prov 7:12Second Apology of David 14 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 384-397
Prov 7:12Commentary on Jeremiah 1.50 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 414-419

Proverbs 7:13

She seizes him and kisses him; she brazenly says to him:

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 7:13Res. 1.1 · Methodius of Olympusquotation, high confidencelate 3rd cent. (disputed)
Prov 7:13–18Apostolic Constitutions 1.7.6 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 380
Prov 7:13Exposition of Psalm 118 5.30.4 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 386-397

Proverbs 7:14

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

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 7:14Fragments on Proverbs, column 181 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254

Proverbs 7:16

I have decked my bed with coverings, with colored linen from Egypt.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 7:16Fragments on Proverbs, column 181 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 7:16Lepr. 16 · Methodius of Olympusallusion, medium confidencelate 3rd cent. (disputed)
Prov 7:16Second Apology of David 14 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 384-397

Proverbs 7:17

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

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 7:17Fragments on Proverbs, column 181 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254

Proverbs 7:18

Come, let us take our fill of love till morning. Let us delight in loving caresses!

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 7:18Res. 1.1 · Methodius of Olympusquotation, high confidencelate 3rd cent. (disputed)

Proverbs 7:19

For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 7:19Fragments on Proverbs, column 181 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 7:19Res. 1.1 · Methodius of Olympusquotation, high confidencelate 3rd cent. (disputed)
Prov 7:19Second Apology of David 14 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 384-397

Proverbs 7:20

He took with him a bag of money and will not return till the moon is full.”

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 7:20Fragments on Proverbs, column 181 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 7:20Res. 1.1 · Methodius of Olympusquotation, high confidencelate 3rd cent. (disputed)

Proverbs 7:21

With her great persuasion she entices him; with her flattering lips she lures him.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 7:21–22Apostolic Constitutions 1.7.7 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 380
Prov 7:21On Noah 34 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 378-384
Prov 7:21Exposition of Psalm 118 5.30.4 · Ambroseallusion, medium confidenceca. 386-397

Proverbs 7:22

He follows her on impulse, like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer bounding into a trap,

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 7:22On Proverbs, fragment 14 · Hippolytus of Romeallusion, high confidenceca. 200–235
Prov 7:22Fragments on Proverbs, column 181 · Origenallusion, low confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 7:22Fragments on Proverbs, column 183 · Origenallusion, low confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 7:22On the Councils of Ariminum and Seleucia 37 · Athanasius of Alexandriaallusion, low confidence359 (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.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 7:23Demonstration 14.43 · Aphrahatallusion, medium confidence337-345
Prov 7:23Letter 45 · Basil of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 357–378
Prov 7:23Letter 65.12 · Jeromeallusion, medium confidenceca. 370–419
Prov 7:23On Cain and Abel 1.15 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 375-378

Proverbs 7:24

Now, my sons, listen to me, and attend to the words of my mouth.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 7:24–27On Cain and Abel 1.15 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 375-378

Proverbs 7:26

For she has brought many down to death; her slain are many in number.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 7:26–27On Proverbs, fragment 15 · Hippolytus of Romeallusion, high confidenceca. 200–235
Prov 7:26PG 12:1669 (Ps 145–146 LXX) · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 7:26Apostolic Constitutions 1.7.9 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 380

Proverbs 7:27

Her house is the road to Sheol, descending to the chambers of death.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 7:27Didascalia 1.7 (Latin) · Anonymousquotation, high confidencefirst half of the third century