Proverbs 7:15 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 7:15 mean?

Proverbs 7:15 describes a woman saying that she has come out specifically to meet the young man, eagerly looking for him, and now she has found him. The verse shows her intentional pursuit and excitement at finding the person she was seeking.

The speaker in Proverbs 7:15 is a woman portrayed in this chapter as trying to seduce a young man. She claims she has been actively searching for him, making it seem as if he is special or chosen. This is part of a larger warning in Proverbs 7 about the dangers of being enticed by temptation and flattery.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 7:15

• "forth" (יָצָא, yatsa’): This word means to go out or come forth. Here, it emphasizes that the woman has left her house with a purpose, not by accident.
• "meet" (קָרָא, qara’): This word often means to encounter or meet someone intentionally. The sense is not of a chance meeting, but of a planned encounter.
• "seek" (שָׁחַר, shachar): This word means to seek diligently or early. It adds the idea of eagerness and effort in her search.
• "face" (פָּנִים, panim): Literally "face," but often used to mean presence or person. She is seeking him personally, not just anyone.
• "found" (מָצָא, matsa’): This word means to find, often after searching. It underlines that her search was successful and deliberate.

Why Proverbs 7:15 matters

• Proverbs 7:15 clears up any idea that the encounter was accidental; the language stresses the woman’s deliberate pursuit.
• The verse highlights the persuasive power of flattery, as she makes the young man feel uniquely chosen.
• This statement fits into the wider warning of Proverbs 7, showing how temptation often comes with intentionality and personal appeal, not just random chance.