Proverbs 7:22 Meaning and Explanation
“He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →He follows her toward his own destruction, unaware of the fate awaiting him.
The Context of Proverbs 7:22
The father shows the outcome of her seduction: the young man becomes like an animal being led to slaughter.
What Does Proverbs 7:22 Mean?
The ox going to slaughter does not understand it is going to die; the fool in chains does not understand the consequence until the moment comes. The young man is compared to both: he moves forward under her guidance toward harm he cannot yet perceive.
The images are grimly deliberate. This is not a pleasant evening that happens to go awry—it is a path toward loss. Yet he straightway goes, meaning he follows immediately, without hesitation or reflection. Speed and unconsciousness are his undoing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 7:22
What does Proverbs 7:22 mean?
He follows her toward his own destruction, unaware of the fate awaiting him.
What is the context of Proverbs 7:22?
The father shows the outcome of her seduction: the young man becomes like an animal being led to slaughter.