Proverbs 7 20

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

Proverbs 7 20 meaning

Proverbs 7:20 continues the seductive woman's deceitful plea, aiming to assure the naive young man of his security from detection. She states that her husband has departed with significant funds for an extended business journey and will not return until a distant "appointed day" or "full moon." This phrase is her calculated assurance, guaranteeing a prolonged absence that seems to provide ample time for their illicit rendezvous without fear of discovery or interruption. It highlights the perceived opportunity for hidden sin, based on the husband's prolonged and scheduled unavailability.

Proverbs 7 20 Context

Proverbs 7 is a vivid warning from a father to his son, urging him to guard his heart against the lure of the adulterous woman. The entire chapter serves as a detailed cautionary tale, illustrating the subtle yet deadly methods of the "forbidden woman." This specific verse, 7:20, forms a critical part of the seductress's persuasive rhetoric. She has already feigned piety (7:14-15), established an alluring setting (7:16-17), and made a direct invitation (7:18-19). Her statement about her husband's long journey with money assures the young man that there are no immediate threats of discovery, creating a false sense of security and encouraging him to abandon caution. Historically, such business trips involving significant sums were common and often lengthy, making her excuse plausible to a naive hearer. The cultural context implies a society where a husband's authority and return were critical considerations for women, and her pre-empting of these concerns with a seemingly reasonable explanation was a key element of her deception.

Proverbs 7 20 Word analysis

• He / Ha’ish (הָאִישׁ): The definite article "the" combined with "man" or "husband" specifies her own husband. His authority and presence would normally be a deterrent, so his definitive absence is a crucial element in her strategy. This refers to the master of the house, indicating he is absent, thus clearing the way for her illicit deeds.
• taken a bag of money / Tsrôr Keseph (צְרוֹר כֶּסֶף):
  • Tsrôr (צְרוֹר): Meaning "bag," "bundle," or "purse." It implies a collection of valuable items, likely coins, suggesting a substantial amount. It also denotes something securely bound or sealed, prepared for a long journey or major transaction.
  • Keseph (כֶּסֶף): Means "silver" or "money." Together, "bag of money" clearly indicates a commercial trip, implying purpose and therefore duration, lending credibility to her story. It is a detail that grounds her deception in plausible reality.
• with him / b'yado (בְּיָדוֹ): Literally "in his hand" or "in his possession." This emphasizes that the money is already committed to the journey, implying a predetermined and perhaps distant destination for significant commerce. It means he has his business capital ready.
• will not come home / Lo’ Yavoh Beito (לֹא יָבוֹא בֵּיתוֹ): A strong negation. "Not come" signifies a definite absence, and "home" (beito) emphasizes his regular abode, thus underscoring the duration and scope of his trip from his personal dwelling. This direct assertion is meant to quell any fears of his sudden return.
• till the full moon / till the appointed day / L'yom HaKeseh (לְיוֹם הַכֵּסֶא): This is a significant phrase, open to multiple interpretations, but universally pointing to a definite, extended period of absence.
  • Keseh (כֶּסֶא):
    • Historically, one strong interpretation links it to the "full moon" because of a word derived from a root meaning "to cover" or "to conceal," which some relate to the moon being "covered" by fullness (full circle). This suggests a monthly cycle.
    • However, other ancient Jewish and early Christian interpreters (LXX, Aquila, Symmachus, Vulgate) favored "appointed day" or "new moon festival." The term appears elsewhere in Hebrew with the meaning of an appointed festival or solemn feast day (Ps 81:3). Such festivals (e.g., New Moon, Feast of Tabernacles) involved specific, often long-distance, travel and pilgrimage, aligning with the idea of a long absence for business or worship.
  • Regardless of the exact astronomical phase, the significance remains the same: it signifies a period known to the husband, one long enough to permit the sinful act with apparent impunity until a set future date. It removes immediate apprehension. The "appointed day" could be when he concludes his business or returns for a festival, signifying a far-off and definite time.
• Phrase analysis:
  • "He has taken a bag of money with him": This phrase paints a convincing picture of a genuine, purposeful, and necessarily extended journey. The presence of money implies trade or significant transactions that demand time and travel, making the husband's prolonged absence entirely credible in the context of ancient commerce. It reassures the young man that this isn't a casual departure.
  • "and will not come home till the full moon" / "till the appointed day": This climactic part of the woman's assurance gives the perceived 'all clear.' It quantifies the duration of his absence, establishing a boundary within which the illicit encounter can allegedly occur safely. This "guaranteed" extended timeframe is the lynchpin of her temptation, providing the false sense of security necessary for the young man to lower his moral guard.

Proverbs 7 20 Bonus section

The deliberate choice of wording by the seductress in this verse showcases her psychological manipulation skills. She preys on the young man's lack of experience and foolishness by providing plausible, everyday details (like a husband's business trip with money) that sound legitimate. This detail grounds her elaborate scheme in reality, making her further fabrications more believable. This verse is also part of a larger literary structure where the wisdom teacher provides the full transcript of the seducer's speech, highlighting its full persuasive (and deceptive) power. The "appointed day" can be seen as ironic foreshadowing, as the "appointed day" of judgment for sin will inevitably come, though not by the husband's return, but by God's decree.

Proverbs 7 20 Commentary

Proverbs 7:20 illustrates the cunning and calculated nature of temptation, particularly from the adulteress. Her words are crafted to dismantle any lingering fear of discovery in the young man. By emphasizing her husband's financial purpose for being away and stating a definite, long-term date of return (whether "full moon" or "appointed day"), she offers a deceptive promise of impunity. This assurance taps into a primal human weakness: the desire for pleasure without immediate consequences. She highlights the ample time available, suggesting there is no risk, thereby removing the psychological barrier of potential exposure. This is a critical move in her seduction, demonstrating that temptation often appeals not just to desire, but also to a false sense of security and escape from accountability. It warns us that sin frequently whispers lies of secrecy and consequence-free enjoyment.