Proverbs 6:33
A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.
Original Language Analysis
נֶֽגַע
A wound
H5061
נֶֽגַע
A wound
Strong's:
H5061
Word #:
1 of 6
a blow (figuratively, infliction); also (by implication) a spot (concretely, a leprous person or dress)
יִמְצָ֑א
shall he get
H4672
יִמְצָ֑א
shall he get
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
3 of 6
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
Historical Context
Ancient honor-shame cultures made adultery's disgrace especially severe. Scarlet letter in colonial America reflected enduring biblical principle: sexual sin produces lasting shame. While Christ offers complete forgiveness, earthly consequences often persist. David's forgiveness didn't prevent his household's ongoing turmoil (2 Samuel 12:10-14). Grace doesn't guarantee consequence-free living.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you hold together God's complete forgiveness with enduring earthly consequences?
- What 'wounds and dishonor' from past sin persist despite forgiveness, and how do you process this?
- How should certainty of lasting consequences affect your resistance to present temptation?
Analysis & Commentary
The adulterer receives wounds and dishonor; his reproach will not be wiped away. The Hebrew 'nega' (wound/plague), 'qalon' (dishonor/disgrace), and 'machah' (wiped away/blotted out) describe permanent scarring. Unlike theft's financial restitution that eventually concludes, adultery's shame persists. Social disgrace, relational wounds, conscience reproach - these endure beyond temporal punishment. Adultery creates permanent damage that forgiveness doesn't fully erase.