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.

ECCLESIASTES 7:26KJV
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Ecclesiastes 7:26 (KJV)

What does Ecclesiastes 7:26 mean?

Ecclesiastes 7:26 warns that some women can be more dangerous than death itself, describing a woman whose heart is full of traps and whose hands bind like chains; those who please God will escape her, but sinners will be caught by her. The verse uses vivid imagery to highlight the dangers of falling into destructive relationships, especially for those not living in line with God's ways.

The speaker is traditionally understood to be Solomon, sharing his observations about life and human nature with his audience. In the context of Ecclesiastes, this verse is part of a larger reflection on the difficulties and temptations people face. The language paints a picture of a seductive or manipulative woman as a metaphor for temptation or folly, emphasizing that wisdom and a right relationship with God provide protection.

The Hebrew behind Ecclesiastes 7:26

  • "Snares" (מוֹקֵשִׁים, moqeshim) and "nets" (חֲרָמִים, charamim): These words describe traps used for catching animals, here used to illustrate how the woman's heart can ensnare someone unsuspecting.
  • "Bands" (אֲסוּרִים, asurim): This word means bonds or chains, emphasizing how the woman's hands can bind or imprison, not just entangle.
  • "Pleaseth" (טוֹב, tov; לִפְנֵי, lifnei): The phrase means "good before God" or "approved by God," pointing to someone who lives in a way that is pleasing to God and is thus protected.
  • "Escape" (מָלַט, malat): This word means to slip away or be delivered, highlighting the idea that God's favor provides a way out of dangerous situations.

Why Ecclesiastes 7:26 matters

  • Ecclesiastes 7:26 clarifies that the warning is not about all women, but about a particular kind of person whose influence is harmful, using strong imagery to make the point.
  • The verse connects to the book’s broader theme of the dangers of folly and the importance of seeking wisdom and God’s approval.
  • It helps the reader see that the real issue is not gender, but the spiritual and moral state of both the person who tempts and the one who is tempted.

Where else these words appear

“bands” Hebrew H612 · used in 3 verses

  • Judges 15:14 And when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him: and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and the cords that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands.
  • Jeremiah 37:15 Wherefore the princes were wroth with Jeremiah, and smote him, and put him in prison in the house of Jonathan the scribe: for they had made that the prison.

“snares” Hebrew H4685 · used in 6 verses

  • Proverbs 12:12 The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.
  • Ecclesiastes 9:12 For man also knoweth 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 falleth suddenly upon them.
  • Isaiah 29:7 And the multitude of all the nations that fight against Ariel, even all that fight against her and her munition, and that distress her, shall be as a dream of a night vision.

“nets” Hebrew H2764 · used in 31 verses

  • Leviticus 27:21 But the field, when it goeth out in the jubile, shall be holy unto the LORD, as a field devoted; the possession thereof shall be the priest's.
  • Joshua 7:12 Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.
  • Ezekiel 26:14 And I will make thee like the top of a rock: thou shalt be a place to spread nets upon; thou shalt be built no more: for I the LORD have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD.

“bitter” Hebrew H4751 · used in 35 verses

  • Genesis 27:34 And when Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry, and said unto his father, Bless me, even me also, O my father.
  • 2 Samuel 2:26 Then Abner called to Joab, and said, Shall the sword devour for ever? knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? how long shall it be then, ere thou bid the people return from following their brethren?
  • Isaiah 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!