Proverbs 7:20
He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed.
Original Language Analysis
צְֽרוֹר
a bag
H6872
צְֽרוֹר
a bag
Strong's:
H6872
Word #:
1 of 8
a parcel (as packed up); also a kernel or particle (as if a package)
הַ֭כֶּסֶף
of money
H3701
הַ֭כֶּסֶף
of money
Strong's:
H3701
Word #:
2 of 8
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
בְּיָד֑וֹ
with him
H3027
בְּיָד֑וֹ
with him
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
4 of 8
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
לְי֥וֹם
at the day
H3117
לְי֥וֹם
at the day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
5 of 8
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַ֝כֵּ֗סֶא
appointed
H3677
הַ֝כֵּ֗סֶא
appointed
Strong's:
H3677
Word #:
6 of 8
properly, fulness or the full moon, i.e., its festival
Historical Context
Ancient merchants carried silver for trade during travels. The substantial money bag indicated serious business requiring extended absence. The detail serves seduction's rhetoric: elaborate your safety, overcome your hesitation. Modern seduction similarly provides elaborate assurances: everyone does it, times have changed, it's private, it's harmless. Same ancient strategy, modern packaging.
Questions for Reflection
- What elaborate rationalizations or assurances are you constructing to justify contemplated sin?
- How do timing calculations ('no one will know now') blind you to omniscient God's knowledge?
- What would repentance look like from sins you've committed assuming safety in secrecy?
Analysis & Commentary
He took a bag of money; he'll return on the appointed day. The Hebrew 'tserowr hakkeseph' (bundle of silver) indicates substantial funds for extended travel. The 'appointed day' ('yowm hakkese') is distant future. This verse reinforces v.19's assurance of safety through absence. Seduction often involves timing calculations - when's it safe to sin? But moral reality doesn't depend on human detection. God's omniscience makes all sin visible, all secret things known.