Proverbs 7:20 kjv

He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed.

Proverbs 7:20 nkjv

He has taken a bag of money with him, And will come home on the appointed day."

Proverbs 7:20 niv

He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon."

Proverbs 7:20 esv

he took a bag of money with him; at full moon he will come home."

Proverbs 7:20 nlt

He has taken a wallet full of money with him
and won't return until later this month. "

Proverbs 7 verses

MeaningProverbs 7:20 describes a crucial part of the seductress's deception. She tells the naive young man that her husband has gone on a distant journey, taking a significant sum of money, and will not return until a specified, distant time—specifically, "the full moon." This statement serves to allay any fears of immediate discovery, thereby creating a perceived window of safety and opportunity for their illicit encounter. It highlights the cunning and calculated nature of temptation, presenting an illusion of no imminent consequences for sin.

Cross References

ContextProverbs chapter 7 serves as a vivid narrative illustration of the dangers of immorality, specifically against sexual temptation personified by the "forbidden woman" or adulteress. The father's wise counsel (Prov 7:1-5) frames the warning. He then describes observing a naive, unsuspecting youth wandering aimlessly (Prov 7:6-9). This verse (Prov 7:20) is part of the adulteress's cunning monologue (Prov 7:14-20) designed to ensnare him. After offering the lure of intimacy (Prov 7:14-15), sensuality (Prov 7:16-17), and pleasure (Prov 7:18), she establishes the perceived "safety" of the encounter by assuring him of her husband's long absence. Historically, long-distance trade or travel was common, and a merchant's absence for weeks or months (indicated by the full moon) was plausible, lending credibility to her lie and preying on common social conditions to deceive her victim. This elaborate set-up showcases her manipulative nature and the sophisticated enticements of sin.

Word analysis

• He has taken (לָקַ֥ח - laqaḥ): The Hebrew verb "laqaḥ" signifies taking or acquiring. Here, it refers to the husband having already departed, emphasizing that the absence is a past and established fact. It also suggests deliberate preparation for a long journey, enhancing the credibility of the lie.

• a bag of money (צְרֽוֹר הַכֶּ֑סֶף - tzeror ha'kesef): "Tzeror" denotes a bundle or bag, often for valuables or money (like a modern wallet or satchel for trade). "Ha'kesef" is "the silver" or "the money." This phrase implies that the husband is a merchant or businessman on a serious, lucrative journey, which would necessitate a prolonged absence and reduce the likelihood of a quick return, reinforcing the lie.

• with him (בְּיָ֜ד֗וֹ - be'yado): Literally "in his hand" or "by his hand." This conveys a sense of personal possession and readiness for travel, making the husband's supposed departure more convincing and definitive. It signals he is fully equipped for a substantial period away from home.

• will come home (יָבֹ֪א בֵ֫יתֹֽו׃ - yavo beito): "Yavo" is "he will come," future tense, while "beito" means "to his house/home." The future tense establishes the delay of his return, which is the crux of the seductress's reassurance.

• only at the full moon (לְי֣וֹם הַכֵּסֶא֮ - l'yom ha'kese'): This is the most significant phrase. "L'yom" means "to the day of" or "until the day of." "Ha'kese'" (often rendered "keseh") refers to the "full moon." In ancient Israel, the full moon often marked important feasts or festivals, signifying a specific, widely recognized point in the lunar calendar, and by extension, a relatively distant future date (a cycle of about two weeks after the new moon, or even a full month until the next "full moon feast"). This precise, yet distant, timing assures the youth that the husband's return is far off, allowing a lengthy period for the illicit affair without fear of immediate discovery. The alternative translation, "appointed day," while grammatically plausible in some contexts, misses the calendrical specificity that "full moon" conveys. The lie, therefore, provides both certainty of absence and an extended timeframe.

• Words-group Analysis: "He has taken a bag of money with him": This entire phrase is a statement designed to explain and justify the husband's extended absence. It suggests a journey with a specific, legitimate purpose (business, trade) requiring substantial capital, making a quick return impractical and expected. This detail adds layers of credibility to the harlot's fabrication.

• Words-group Analysis: "and will come home only at the full moon": This part specifies the duration of the absence, transforming a general departure into a concrete, assured period of opportunity. The mention of the "full moon" creates an image of a measurable, though distant, future point, lending an air of inevitability and removing any sense of immediate urgency or danger for the victim. It allows the seductress to convey that the "coast is clear" for an extended period, dismantling the youth's caution.

CommentaryProverbs 7:20 is pivotal in revealing the manipulative strategy of the adulterous woman. Her detailed description of her husband's journey, complete with a "bag of money" and a return "only at the full moon," serves as a deceptive promise of security for her target. This carefully crafted lie is designed to alleviate the young man's fear of consequences, which is often a major deterrent to sinful acts. By portraying a prolonged absence, she aims to convince him that the sin can be committed without immediate repercussion or discovery. This illustrates a universal principle of temptation: sin often lures by creating an illusion of safety, convincing the individual that their wrongdoing will remain hidden or unpunished for an extended period, thus lowering their guard.

Examples:

• A student rationalizes cheating on a test, believing the professor will never review the specific questions or patterns.
• An employee embezzles funds, assuming the next audit is months away and they'll replace the money before then.
• Someone entertains a private lust, convincing themselves no one will know, and it causes no external harm.

Bonus SectionThe seductress's specificity about "the full moon" subtly suggests her intimate knowledge of her husband's routine or the timing of certain commercial/festive cycles in their society. This knowledge, meant to be used within the marital bond, is twisted into a tool of deception and sin. Her use of calendrical time (the full moon) appeals to an element of predictability and custom, making her lie all the more plausible and reassuring. This highlights how elements of ordinary life and credible circumstances can be distorted and weaponized by the cunning to ensnare the naive. The detailed nature of her lie contrasts with the vague warnings often dismissed, showing the seductive power of precise, reassuring falsehoods.