7:18 7:18

Proverbs 7:19

7:20 7:20

Bible Versions

For the goodman [is] not at home, he is gone a long journey:
For the goodman {H376} is not at home {H1004}, he is gone {H1980} a long {H7350} journey {H1870}:
My husband isn't at home, he's gone on a long trip;
For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey.
For the man is not at home; He is gone a long journey:

Context of Proverbs 7:19

Proverbs 7:19 is a specific line spoken by the seductive, adulterous woman in a vivid cautionary tale presented by a father to his son. This verse is part of a larger narrative found in Proverbs chapter 7, verses 6-23. The setting is evening, and the woman has found a naive young man, lacking understanding, whom she intends to lure into immorality. Her words in this verse are part of her elaborate deception, designed to create a false sense of security and opportunity for her illicit desires.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Deception and Manipulation: The woman's statement about her husband's absence is a calculated lie or a convenient truth used to manipulate the young man. She exploits the situation to remove any immediate fear of discovery, making her proposition seem less risky. This highlights how sin often thrives in perceived secrecy.
  • Absence of Accountability: The "goodman's" (husband's) long journey signifies the removal of an immediate authority figure and a deterrent to immoral behavior. This creates a psychological space where the young man might feel emboldened to give in to temptation, believing there will be no immediate consequences.
  • Vulnerability to Temptation: The verse underscores the vulnerability of someone who lacks wisdom or discernment, especially when confronted with persuasive and cunning temptation that promises secrecy and pleasure without immediate repercussions.

Linguistic Insights

The King James Version's term "goodman" simply refers to the master of the house, the husband. It does not imply a moral judgment but rather identifies the man who is typically present and responsible for the household. The phrase "gone a long journey" emphasizes a prolonged absence, not just a short trip, suggesting that the woman believes she has ample time to carry out her plans without interruption or discovery. This detail is crucial to her strategy of creating a false sense of impunity.

Related Scriptures

This verse is a pivotal moment in the seduction, demonstrating the tactics of the adulteress. The broader warnings against sexual immorality are a recurring theme in Proverbs, often contrasting the path of wisdom with the path of folly. For instance, Proverbs 5:3-5 vividly describes the initial allure and the bitter, destructive end of such relationships. The severe consequences of succumbing to such temptation are further elaborated in Proverbs 6:27-29, which warns against playing with fire. This narrative of the seductive woman stands in stark contrast to the invitation of true Wisdom, personified in Proverbs 9:1-6, highlighting the choice between life and death.

Practical Application

Proverbs 7:19 serves as a timeless warning about the nature of temptation. Sin often seeks moments of perceived privacy or absence of accountability to exert its influence. It teaches us to be vigilant, recognizing that temptations frequently arise when external restraints are lifted or when we believe our actions will go unnoticed. For believers, this verse underscores the importance of internal moral compass and integrity, remembering that God's presence is constant, even when human eyes are not watching. It encourages us to cultivate self-control and discernment, understanding that true freedom comes not from the absence of rules, but from adherence to wisdom and righteousness, which ultimately leads to a life of peace and security, far from the destructive path of the adulteress described here.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Luke 12:45

    But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;

  • Luke 12:46

    The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for [him], and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

  • Matthew 20:11

    And when they had received [it], they murmured against the goodman of the house,

  • Luke 12:39

    And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.

  • Mark 13:34

    [For the Son of man is] as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.

  • Mark 13:36

    Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.

  • Matthew 24:48

    But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
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