Proverbs 6:33

A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.

A wound {H5061} and dishonour {H7036} shall he get {H4672}; and his reproach {H2781} shall not be wiped away {H4229}.

He will get nothing but blows and contempt, and his disgrace will not be wiped away.

Wounds and dishonor will befall him, and his reproach will never be wiped away.

Wounds and dishonor shall he get; And his reproach shall not be wiped away.

Commentary

Proverbs 6:33 stands as a stark warning within a larger discourse on the dangers of adultery, which begins earlier in the chapter with a father's instruction to his son to heed his words and keep his commandments (Proverbs 6:20). This verse specifically details the severe and lasting consequences for the one who commits such a transgression, contrasting the fleeting pleasure of illicit passion with its devastating and permanent repercussions.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Irreversible Disgrace: The central message is the enduring nature of the harm caused by adultery. The "reproach shall not be wiped away" signifies an indelible stain on one's character and reputation, a shame that cannot be easily forgotten or erased by time or effort.
  • Loss of Honor and Dignity: In ancient Israelite society, honor was a cornerstone of an individual's and a family's standing. Adultery brought profound "dishonour" and a "wound" (implying both physical and social harm), stripping the offender of respect and dignity within their community and family.
  • The Destructive Power of Sin: This verse powerfully illustrates how certain sins, particularly sexual immorality, carry a unique weight of destruction, leading to lasting pain, public humiliation, and ruin. This destructive path is a recurring theme in Proverbs concerning the adulteress, as seen in Proverbs 7:26.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew term for "wound" is negaโ€˜ (ื ึถื’ึทืข), which can refer to a physical blow, a stripe, or even a plague, suggesting a deep, painful injury, both bodily and to one's spirit and social standing. "Dishonour" comes from qalon (ืงึธืœื•ึนืŸ), meaning disgrace, shame, or ignominy โ€“ a profound public humiliation. The word "reproach" is cherpah (ื—ึถืจึฐืคึผึธื”), denoting public humiliation, scorn, or ignominy. The phrase "shall not be wiped away" (ืœึนื ื™ึดืžึธึผื—ึถื” - lo' yimach) is especially potent, conveying that this shame is not merely transient but leaves a permanent, unerasable mark, emphasizing the severe and lasting impact of such a transgression on one's life and legacy.

Practical Application

Proverbs 6:33 serves as a timeless and solemn warning against the seductive allure of infidelity and sexual sin. It powerfully reminds us that our choices carry profound and lasting consequences, impacting not only ourselves but also our relationships, our families, and our reputation in the wider world. This verse encourages believers to prioritize integrity, faithfulness, and self-control, understanding that true honor and lasting peace stem from living in accordance with God's design for purity and commitment. It underscores the vital importance of guarding our hearts and minds to avoid paths that lead to such irredeemable reproach, aligning with the New Testament call to flee fornication and honor God with our bodies (1 Corinthians 6:18).

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Proverbs 5:9

    Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel:

  • Proverbs 5:11

    And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed,

  • Psalms 38:1

    ยถ A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance. O LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.

  • Psalms 38:8

    I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart.

  • Judges 16:19

    And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him.

  • Judges 16:21

    But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house.

  • Psalms 51:8

    Make me to hear joy and gladness; [that] the bones [which] thou hast broken may rejoice.
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