Proverbs 6:27-35 Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? So he that goes in to his neighbour’s wife; whosoever touches her shall not be innocent. Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry; But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house. But whoso commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding: he that does it destroys his own soul. A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away. For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance. He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou give many gifts.
‘So he that goes in to his neighbour’s wife; whosoever touches her shall not be innocent.’ Just as a man cannot take fire into his bosom or walk on hot coals without being burned, so he that seduces his neighbour’s wife shall not go unpunished (6:27-29).
‘Despise’ [Hebrew: buwz] to disrespect; utterly despise; consider insignificant. People will not think it insignificant for a thief to steal when he is hungry.
‘But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold.’ If caught, the thief shall be restored sevenfold, even if it means being sold into slavery (Exo. 22:1-4; Lev. 25:39). The law does not clear a thief, regardless of how desperately in need he is.
‘But whoso commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding.’ Solomon returns to his often repeated warning against adultery and giving oneself to a prostitute (2:16-19; 5:3-6, 8-11, 15-23; 6:24-29, 32-35; 7:5-23, 25-27; 9:13-18). This Scripture states that both parties commit adultery (Lev. 20:10; Deut. 22:22), the woman is not the only culprit as most people choose to blame their part in sin on others.
‘He that does it destroys his own soul.’ Six evil effects of adultery: Spiritual death (Rom. 8:12-13). Physical death (Lev. 20:10; Deut. 22:22). Eternal death (1Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-21; Rev. 21:8; 22:15). A wound and dishonour (6:33). Lasting reproach. Blinding rage of the husband (6:34-35).
‘Wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.’ Among the Romans one caught in the act of adultery was delivered to the injured husband to be punished with infamy, disgrace, and even death if he chose (6:33-35).
Living the Word 