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.
And I have discovered something more painful than death itself: a woman whose heart is full of traps and schemes, and whose hands bind people like chains. Those who please God will escape from her, but sinners will be caught by her.
The writer is warning about people (symbolized by a deceptive woman) who use manipulation and deceit to trap others, noting that those who follow God can avoid such snares.
📚 Historical Context
Ecclesiastes is a book attributed to King Solomon, written around 900 BC during Israel's monarchy, where the author reflects on the meaninglessness of life apart from God and explores themes of wisdom and folly. In this verse, the "woman" serves as a metaphor for deceptive temptations or harmful influences that can ensnare people, drawing from ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature that often warned about moral pitfalls. Those who please God are promised escape, emphasizing the protective role of righteousness in a world full of traps.
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