Proverbs 7:19 kjv

For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey:

Proverbs 7:19 nkjv

For my husband is not at home; He has gone on a long journey;

Proverbs 7:19 niv

My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey.

Proverbs 7:19 esv

For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey;

Proverbs 7:19 nlt

for my husband is not home.
He's away on a long trip.

Proverbs 7 verses

Proverbs 7 19 Meaning

Proverbs 7:19 is part of the adulteress's seductive persuasion, assuring the young man that they will not be caught. It states, "For the husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey." This verse reveals a crucial element of her strategy: eliminating the immediate threat of detection. She exploits the husband's prolonged absence, creating an illusion of safety and opportunity for their illicit act. It is a calculated lie or a fact presented for deceitful ends, used to overcome any lingering hesitation in the naive young man by promising secrecy and freedom from accountability.

Proverbs 7 19 Context

Proverbs chapter 7 serves as a vivid narrative illustration of the "adulterous woman" warned against in earlier chapters (Proverbs 2:16-19; 5:1-14; 6:20-35). It portrays the "Father Wisdom" instructing a "Son," guiding him to avoid the pitfalls of seduction. The chapter describes in striking detail the appearance, mannerisms, and persuasive tactics of an adulteress lying in wait for an unsuspecting young man. This verse (7:19) is a key line in her speech, offered to assuage the young man's potential fears or reservations. The immediate context of Proverbs is the ancient Near Eastern wisdom tradition, which highly valued stable social order and fidelity, warning against actions that would disrupt the family unit or societal harmony. Historically, men often traveled for trade, war, or pasturing, making the husband's prolonged absence a common reality that unscrupulous individuals could exploit for illicit affairs. The narrative thus grounds the warning in a tangible, relatable scenario.

Proverbs 7 19 Word analysis

• כִּי (kî): This Hebrew conjunction, translated as "for" or "because," establishes a causal relationship. It introduces the adulteress's reason or justification for why the young man should comply—the opportune absence of her husband. It marks a crucial premise in her argument for immediate gratification without consequence.
• אֵין (ʾên): "Is not," or "there is not." This strong negative signifies complete absence. It directly contradicts any possibility of the husband's presence, creating a sense of absolute security for the proposed illicit act.
• הָאִישׁ (hāʾîš): "The man," specified as "the husband" by context. The definite article ("hā-") emphasizes that her specific husband, the rightful authority, is the one missing. This word identifies the key obstacle that has now been removed, making the woman's proposition seem safe.
• בְּבֵיתוֹ (bəḇêtô): "In his house/home." This literally means "in his dwelling," pointing to the sanctity of the domestic sphere. The fact that the husband is not in his own home further underscores the opportunity for stealth and privacy, as the primary place of oversight is vacant.
• הָלַךְ (hālak): "He has gone," or "he went." This verb implies a decisive and complete departure. It conveys finality in the husband's absence, reassuring the young man that this is not a temporary outing but a significant removal.
• בְּדֶרֶךְ מֵרָחֽוֹק (bədereḵ mērāḥôq): "On a long journey," or literally "on a way from afar/distant."
  • בְּדֶרֶךְ (bədereḵ): "On a way" or "on a journey." The noun dereḵ signifies a road, path, or journey.
  • מֵרָחֽוֹק (mērāḥôq): "From afar," implying "to a distant place." The prefix mi- (from) combined with rāḥôq (distant, far) stresses not just that he is gone, but that he is very far away, implying a prolonged absence and minimal chance of unexpected return. This detail significantly enhances the perceived safety of the situation. The combined phrase "a long journey" emphasizes both distance and duration.

Words-group Analysis:

• "For the husband is not at home": This phrase directly addresses and neutralizes any fear of immediate discovery. The physical absence of the husband is the first and most critical component of the seductress's reassurance. It exploits the human tendency to seek comfort in a perceived lack of consequences.
• "he has gone on a long journey": This extends the comfort beyond immediate security. "A long journey" implies a protracted absence, ensuring sufficient time for the deed to be committed and for any signs to disappear before the husband's return. It removes the deterrent of timely detection, reinforcing the woman's false promise of invulnerability. Together, these phrases depict a calculated setup designed to manipulate by removing perceived external threats, while the true internal spiritual dangers remain unaddressed.

Proverbs 7 19 Bonus section

The seemingly innocent detail of the husband's "long journey" subtly connects to broader theological themes. In the Old Testament, the absence of human authority often highlights the pervasive presence of God as the ultimate witness and judge (Jer 23:24; Ps 139:7-12). While the adulteress seeks to assure the young man that earthly eyes will not see, the wisdom tradition inherently acknowledges the "eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good" (Prov 15:3). This verse, therefore, implicitly sets up a contrast between a false sense of security based on human absence versus true security (or lack thereof) based on God's omnipresence. The temptation narrative is a microcosm of humanity's continuous struggle: to choose between immediate, secretive pleasure (under the illusion of no consequence) or to walk in wisdom's light, which recognizes God's unfailing oversight and the sure harvest of one's choices.

Proverbs 7 19 Commentary

Proverbs 7:19 is a masterful stroke of manipulation, revealing the calculated deceit of the adulteress. Her statement removes the most immediate and formidable barrier to the young man's indulgence: the potential return of the husband. She paints a picture of complete impunity by emphasizing both his absence from home and the distance and duration of his journey. This particular verse demonstrates that temptation often thrives when accountability seems distant or absent.

This verse serves as a crucial point of instruction for the "son" listening to "wisdom's" counsel. It teaches not only about the dangers of sexual sin but also the insidious methods of seduction. The adulteress does not just appeal to lust; she addresses the young man's fears, offering a deceptive cloak of security. This tactic mirrors how sin often presents itself—promising gratification without consequence, hiding its true destructive nature under a guise of secrecy and safety. The truth, however, as revealed throughout Proverbs, is that sin, particularly adultery, always finds you out, brings public disgrace, personal ruin, and ultimately, death (Prov 2:18-19; 6:32-35; 7:27). This verse highlights that yielding to temptation often involves believing a lie about consequences, where immediate gratification obscures future pain.

• Practical Usage Example: When facing a temptation, the enticement often minimizes or completely ignores potential repercussions. The lie often is, "No one will know," or "There will be no consequence," just as the adulteress implies by saying the husband is far away. Discerning wisdom identifies these lies for what they are, recognizing that divine and natural consequences are inevitable, regardless of human presence.