Proverbs 7:22

To the slaughter. Frequently oxen walk contentedly to the slaughterhouse and are stupidly undisturbed in the face of death.

As a fool. The complete clause reads literally, “as fetters to the correction of a fool” (although there is no certainty that “fetters” is the correct translation of ‘ekes). ‘Ekes is found elsewhere only in Isa. 3:18, where it is translated “tinkling ornaments.” It is difficult to ascertain the meaning of the Hebrew of this verse. The translation of the KJV is obtained by a transposition of two nouns. The ancient versions disagree with the Hebrew and do not all agree among themselves. The LXX for this and the first clause of the following verse reads, “and as a dog to bonds, or as a hart shot in the liver with an arrow.” The Vulgate has, “As a frisking lamb, and not knowing that as a fool he is being dragged to bondage.”