Proverbs 7:20

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

He hath taken {H3947} a bag {H6872} of money {H3701} with him {H3027}, and will come {H935} home {H1004} at the day {H3117} appointed {H3677}.

Complete Jewish Bible

he took a bag of money with him and won't be back till the moon is full."

Berean Standard Bible

He took with him a bag of money and will not return till the moon is full.”

American Standard Version

He hath taken a bag of money with him; He will come home at the full moon.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 7:20 is a pivotal verse within the larger cautionary narrative of the "strange woman," an adulteress, who seeks to entrap a naive young man. In this specific declaration, the woman meticulously details her husband's prolonged and financially secure absence, assuring her intended victim that his return is distant and predetermined. This calculated statement serves to dismantle any immediate fears of discovery or repercussion, making her illicit proposition appear safe and irresistible, thereby highlighting the deceptive tactics employed by temptation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 7:20 is an integral part of a vivid and dramatic monologue delivered by the adulteress, immediately following her declaration in [Proverbs 7:19](/proverbs/7-19 "Proverbs 7:19 - The Adulteress's Deception") that "For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey." This verse elaborates on the husband's extended absence, providing specific details designed to enhance the illusion of safety. It is part of a larger literary unit (Proverbs 7:6-27) where the wise teacher warns his son against the seductive and destructive path of the immoral woman. The preceding verses set the scene, describing the young man's foolish wanderings, and the subsequent verses detail the woman's elaborate seduction and the tragic consequences for those who yield to her. The entire chapter functions as a stark contrast between the path of wisdom and the path of folly, with this verse serving as a key element in the woman's manipulative rhetoric.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israelite society, the household (Hebrew: _bayith_) was the fundamental unit of social and economic life, and the husband's presence was central to its order and protection. A man's journey, especially one requiring a "bag of money," implied a significant commercial venture or trade expedition, often lasting for weeks or months. Such journeys were common but also carried risks. The "day appointed" could refer to a pre-arranged date for his return, perhaps tied to a market cycle or a religious festival, or it could subtly imply a "hidden" or "full moon" day, suggesting a return that is certain but not immediately predictable, thus removing the threat of imminent discovery. The woman's detailed knowledge of her husband's affairs and her willingness to exploit his absence for illicit gain underscore the moral decay she represents, contrasting sharply with the societal value placed on marital fidelity and domestic integrity.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Proverbs and the broader biblical narrative. Primarily, it underscores the theme of **Deception and False Security**, as the adulteress constructs an elaborate lie to lure her victim, promising a consequence-free encounter. This aligns with the book's consistent warning that sin often disguises itself as appealing and harmless, as seen in [Proverbs 1:17](/proverbs/1-17 "Proverbs 1:17 - The Futility of Snares"). It also highlights **Temptation's Allure**, demonstrating how sin often preys on a desire for immediate gratification by downplaying or seemingly eliminating the threat of accountability. The "bag of money" and "day appointed" symbolize the perceived absence of a deterrent, making the forbidden seem less risky. Furthermore, the verse illustrates the **Calculated Nature of Sin**, revealing that the immoral woman's actions are not spontaneous but part of a premeditated, cunning strategy to ensnare the unsuspecting, a theme echoed in [Proverbs 6:24-26](/proverbs/6-24 "Proverbs 6:24-26 - Warning Against the Immoral Woman"). Finally, it subtly introduces the theme of **Delayed but Inevitable Consequences**, as the "day appointed" implies a future return and reckoning, even if not immediate, foreshadowing the ultimate judgment for sin, a concept broadly developed in books like [Ecclesiastes 12:14](/ecclesiastes/12-14 "Ecclesiastes 12:14 - God Will Bring Every Deed into Judgment").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **lâqach (Hebrew, _lâqach'_):** To take, acquire, or receive. In this context, it signifies the husband's deliberate act of taking money for his journey, implying a planned, extended absence. The woman emphasizes this action to convey the husband's preparedness for a long duration away, which she then exploits to create an illusion of safety for her illicit activities.
* **keçeph (Hebrew, _keçeph'_):** Silver; by implication, money. This word highlights the husband's financial preparedness for a significant and lengthy journey. The presence of a "bag of money" (`tsᵉrôwr keçeph`) reinforces the woman's claim that he is well-equipped for an extended absence and will not need to return prematurely due to financial necessity, further solidifying the perceived security of her proposition.
* **keçeʼ (Hebrew, _keçeʼ'_):** Appointed (time), or possibly referring to the full moon/festival. In this context, it denotes a fixed, predetermined, and likely distant date for his return. This specific timing, whether a known future date or an unpredictable "hidden" day, is crucial to the woman's deceptive assurance, as it removes any immediate fear of discovery from the naive youth's mind, making the forbidden encounter seem safe.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He hath taken a bag of money with him":** This clause establishes the husband's long-term absence as a calculated and well-resourced venture. The "bag of money" (`tsᵉrôwr keçeph`) signifies his financial independence for an extended journey, assuring the young man that the husband will not need to return for funds and thus will be gone for a considerable duration. This detail is a manipulative tactic by the adulteress to convince her victim of a prolonged window of opportunity without immediate risk.
* **"and will come home at the day appointed":** This phrase reinforces the husband's planned, distant return, crucial for the woman's deception. The "day appointed" (`yôwm keçeʼ`) suggests a fixed, perhaps far-off, date, or even a 'hidden' or 'full moon' day, implying a return that is certain but not immediate. This assurance of a non-imminent return is designed to lull the victim into a false sense of security, eliminating any immediate fear of discovery and making the illicit encounter seem consequence-free in the short term.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 7:20 masterfully employs several literary devices to enhance its cautionary message. **Deception** is the overarching narrative strategy, as the entire verse is a calculated lie designed to manipulate. The woman's words function as a form of **Verbal Irony**, as her assurances of safety are precisely what lead the young man into mortal danger. The "bag of money" and "day appointed" serve as **Symbolism** for the false sense of security that temptation offers; they represent the perceived absence of immediate consequences, which is the primary lure of sin. The detailed nature of her explanation also contributes to **Verisimilitude**, making her fabricated story sound plausible and therefore more convincing to the naive listener. This verse, therefore, is a microcosm of the broader narrative's use of persuasive rhetoric to illustrate the cunning and destructive nature of folly.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Proverbs 7:20 vividly illustrates how temptation often operates by creating an illusion of safety and a lack of immediate accountability. The adulteress's detailed explanation of her husband's prolonged absence and secure return is a theological lesson in itself: sin rarely presents itself as immediately perilous but rather as a seemingly low-risk, high-reward endeavor. This verse underscores the biblical truth that while consequences for sin may be delayed, they are ultimately inevitable, and God's moral order cannot be circumvented indefinitely. It calls believers to cultivate spiritual discernment, recognizing that the most dangerous temptations are often those that promise secrecy and freedom from immediate repercussions, subtly leading one down a path of destruction.

* [Proverbs 5:22](/proverbs/5-22 "Proverbs 5:22 - The Snares of Iniquity")
* [Proverbs 6:27-29](/proverbs/6-27 "Proverbs 6:27-29 - Playing with Fire")
* [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 7:20 serves as a profound warning for contemporary believers, revealing the timeless tactics of temptation. The adulteress's cunning strategy—creating a false sense of security through the promise of a prolonged absence and a distant "day appointed"—mirrors how sin often presents itself in our lives. It rarely announces its destructive nature upfront; instead, it whispers promises of immediate gratification, secrecy, and freedom from consequences, lulling us into a dangerous complacency. This verse compels us to critically examine any proposition that seems "too good to be true" or promises an escape from accountability. True wisdom lies in recognizing that God's moral laws are immutable, and while the "day appointed" for consequences may seem distant, it will inevitably arrive. Our spiritual maturity is measured by our ability to see beyond the immediate allure and perceive the long-term, devastating outcomes of compromising biblical principles, even when immediate discovery seems unlikely.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "bags of money" and "appointed days" does temptation offer in your life, promising a safe window for compromise?**
* **How does the allure of secrecy or delayed consequences influence your susceptibility to sin?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to cultivate greater discernment to recognize the subtle deceptions of the enemy?**
* **How can remembering the ultimate "day appointed" of Christ's return or God's judgment strengthen your resolve against temptation?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "bag of money" in this verse?**

Answer: The "bag of money" (`tsᵉrôwr keçeph`) signifies the husband's financial preparedness for a long journey. Its significance lies in the adulteress's manipulative use of this detail to assure the young man that her husband will not need to return home prematurely for funds, thus guaranteeing an extended period of absence. This detail is part of her larger strategy to create a false sense of security and eliminate any immediate fear of discovery, making her illicit invitation seem safe and without immediate repercussions. It underscores the calculated nature of her deception, as she uses plausible details to construct a convincing lie.

**What does "at the day appointed" mean, and why is it important to the narrative?**

Answer: "At the day appointed" (`yôwm keçeʼ`) refers to a predetermined, fixed, and likely distant date for the husband's return. It could also subtly imply a "hidden" or "full moon" day, suggesting a return that is certain but not immediately predictable. This phrase is crucial because it serves as the ultimate assurance to the naive young man that there will be no immediate discovery of their illicit encounter. By emphasizing a distant or uncertain return, the adulteress removes the immediate threat of the husband's presence, thereby minimizing the perceived risk and making her proposition more appealing. It's a key element in her strategy to lull the victim into a false sense of security regarding the inevitable consequences of sin, a theme deeply explored in [Proverbs 7](/proverbs/7 "Proverbs 7 - The Perils of the Adulteress").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 7:20, with its depiction of the adulteress's deceptive promise of a distant "day appointed" for her husband's return, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the contrast between the false security offered by sin and the true, eternal security found in Christ. The "bag of money" and the "day appointed" symbolize the world's enticing but ultimately empty promises of freedom from consequence, luring individuals into destructive paths. In stark contrast, Jesus Christ offers not a false sense of security but genuine liberation from the power and penalty of sin. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), providing a sacrifice that truly covers our transgressions, unlike the temporary reprieve offered by the adulteress. Furthermore, while the adulteress's "appointed day" is a deceptive ploy, Christ's "appointed day" of return is a certain and glorious reality, a day of true reckoning and ultimate redemption for His followers ([Acts 1:11](/acts/1-11 "Acts 1:11 - The Ascension of Jesus")). He calls us to live in the light, where there is no hidden sin ([John 3:19-21](/john/3-19 "John 3:19-21 - Light and Darkness")), and assures us that true freedom comes from knowing the truth, which sets us free from the bondage of sin ([John 8:32](/john/8-32 "John 8:32 - The Truth Sets You Free")). Thus, Proverbs 7:20, in its warning against the deceptive allure of sin, points to the necessity of a Savior who offers genuine forgiveness, eternal security, and a certain hope that transcends any worldly illusion.

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.

Cross-References

2 Chronicles 2:4

Behold, I build an house to the name of the LORD my God, to dedicate [it] to him, [and] to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the LORD our God. This [is an ordinance] for ever to Israel.