Proverbs 6:29
So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.
Original Language Analysis
כֵּ֗ן
H3651
כֵּ֗ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
1 of 10
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
הַ֭בָּא
So he that goeth in
H935
הַ֭בָּא
So he that goeth in
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
2 of 10
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 10
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִ֝נָּקֶ֗ה
her shall not be innocent
H5352
יִ֝נָּקֶ֗ה
her shall not be innocent
Strong's:
H5352
Word #:
7 of 10
to be (or make) clean (literally or figuratively); by implication (in an adverse sense) to be bare, i.e., extirpated
כָּֽל
H3605
כָּֽל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
8 of 10
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Historical Context
Fire-walking in ancient Near Eastern religious practices often resulted in burns unless practitioners achieved altered states or took precautions. The proverb assumes normal physics: hot coals burn feet. Similarly, moral laws operate predictably - violate them, suffer consequences. Modern culture sometimes pretends sin's consequences are avoidable through sophistication or technology, but moral reality persists.
Questions for Reflection
- What rationalizations tell you that you can walk on moral 'hot coals' without being burned?
- How does recognizing sin's inevitable consequences affect your evaluation of temptation?
- What burned 'feet' (consequences) have you or others experienced from sins thought controllable?
Analysis & Commentary
Can one walk on hot coals without scorching his feet? Again, rhetorical question expecting negative answer. Walking on coals guarantees burning. Likewise, approaching adultery guarantees harm. The Hebrew 'gechaliym' (hot coals) and 'kavah' (scorch/burn) emphasize certain injury. These sequential questions (v.27-29) hammer home the point: sexual sin's consequences are inevitable, not possible to avoid while persisting in sin.