Proverbs 7:20

Proverbs 7:20 is part of a vivid and cautionary narrative in the book of Proverbs, where King Solomon (or a wise teacher) warns a young man about the deceptive allure and destructive consequences of succumbing to the "strange woman," identified as an adulteress. In this specific verse, the woman is detailing her husband's absence to the naive youth, making her proposition seem safe and without immediate repercussions.

Context

This verse immediately follows Proverbs 7:19, where the adulteress states, "For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey." Proverbs 7:20 elaborates on this, emphasizing the husband's prolonged absence and financial stability. By saying, "He hath taken a bag of money with him, [and] will come home at the day appointed," she is painting a picture of a secure, distant journey, assuring the young man that there will be no immediate discovery or accountability. This detail is a crucial part of her manipulative strategy to eliminate any fear of consequences and make her sinful invitation more appealing.

Key Themes

• Deception and False Security: The primary theme is the adulteress's calculated deception. She creates an illusion of safety and freedom from consequences, suggesting that their illicit encounter will go unnoticed due to her husband's long absence.
• Temptation's Allure: This verse highlights how temptation often works by promising secrecy and a lack of immediate accountability. The perceived absence of a deterrent (the husband's return) makes the forbidden fruit seem less risky.
• Calculated Sin: The woman's words are not spontaneous but part of a premeditated plan to ensnare the unsuspecting, demonstrating the cunning nature of sin and its purveyors.
• Delayed Consequences: While the "day appointed" implies a future return, the immediate focus is on the absence of a present threat, lulling the victim into a false sense of security regarding the inevitable consequences of sin.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "day appointed" (Hebrew: yom kesseh or yom khasheh, depending on interpretation) suggests a fixed, distant time, or perhaps even a "hidden" or "secret" day, implying an unpredictable but certainly not immediate return. This reinforces the idea of a prolonged absence, removing any immediate fear of discovery from the young man's mind. The "bag of money" (tsəror kesef) further emphasizes the husband's self-sufficiency for a long journey, underlining the duration of his planned absence.

Related Scriptures

This verse is deeply intertwined with the broader warnings against the seductive power of sin. The narrative powerfully illustrates the dangers of ignoring wisdom's call for discernment. The book of Proverbs frequently warns about the perilous path of the adulterous woman, whose invitations ultimately lead to destruction, as seen in Proverbs 9:18, which states, "But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell." This entire chapter serves as a stark contrast to the blessings found in following wisdom's ways.

Practical Application

Proverbs 7:20 offers timeless insights into the nature of temptation. Sin rarely presents itself as immediately dangerous; instead, it often promises secrecy, pleasure, and a lack of immediate repercussions. The "bag of money" and "day appointed" symbolize the false sense of security that accompanies such temptations. For believers today, this verse serves as a crucial reminder to:

• Recognize Deception: Be wary of situations or propositions that seem "too safe" or promise freedom from accountability, as these are often the very snares of temptation.
• Understand Sin's Lure: Acknowledge that sin's primary tactic is to downplay consequences and emphasize immediate gratification or perceived safety.
• Cultivate Discernment: Develop a keen sense of discernment (spiritual wisdom) to see beyond the immediate allure and understand the long-term, often devastating, consequences of compromising biblical principles, even when immediate discovery seems unlikely.
• Seek God's Wisdom: Rely on God's Word and the Holy Spirit to guide decisions, rather than being swayed by enticing but ultimately destructive invitations.