7:26a–b

As in 7:19a, this verse begins with the word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “For.” This word introduces the reason why the young man should heed the warning in 7:25–26.

she has brought many down to death; her slain: These parallel phrases indicate that the adulterous women referred to here indirectly caused the deaths of their victims. They did this by seducing their victims into having illicit sex. Their victims eventually died or were killed as a result. These phrases do not mean that these women were actual murderers.

Other ways to express the correct meaning are:

…she has…caused the death of too many to count (Good News Translation)
-or-
…many have died because of her (New Century Version)

death…her slain: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as death is literally “pierced ones,” which calls to mind the arrow piercing the liver in 7:23a. This word usually refers to men who were killed violently in battle. The parallel term her slain similarly refers to men who have been fatally wounded and killed.

she…her: The words she and her refer to adulterous women in general. They do not refer to a particular person.

General Comment on 7:26a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to combine and/or reorder the parallel parts. For example:

Because women like this have been the cause of countless men losing their lives.

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