Proverbs 30:20
Proverbs 30:20 in Multiple Translations
This is the way of an adulteress: She eats and wipes her mouth and says, ‘I have done nothing wrong.’
Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.
So is the way of an adulterous woman; She eateth, and wipeth her mouth, And saith, I have done no wickedness.
This is the way of a false wife; she takes food, and, cleaning her mouth, says, I have done no wrong.
This is the way of a woman who commits adultery: she eats, she wipes her mouth, and then says, “I haven't done anything wrong!”
Such is ye way also of an adulterous woman: she eateth and wipeth her mouth, and sayth, I haue not committed iniquitie.
So — the way of an adulterous woman, She hath eaten and hath wiped her mouth, And hath said, 'I have not done iniquity.'
“So is the way of an adulterous woman: She eats and wipes her mouth, and says, ‘I have done nothing wrong.’
Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.
Such is also the way of an adulterous woman, who eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith: I have done no evil.
This is what a woman who ◄is not faithful to/does not have sex only with► her husband does: She commits adultery [EUP], and then bathes and says, “I have not done anything that is wrong!”
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 30:20
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 30:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כֵּ֤ן
דֶּ֥רֶךְ
אִשָּׁ֗ה
מְנָ֫אָ֥פֶת
אָ֭כְלָה
וּ/מָ֣חֲתָה
פִ֑י/הָ
וְ֝/אָמְרָ֗ה
לֹֽא
פָעַ֥לְתִּי
אָֽוֶן
כֵּ֤ן
kên
H3651
right
Part
דֶּ֥רֶךְ
derek
H1870
way
N-cs
אִשָּׁ֗ה
ʼishshâh
H802
woman
N-fs
מְנָ֫אָ֥פֶת
nâʼaph
H5003
to commit adultery
V-Piel
אָ֭כְלָה
ʼâkal
H398
to eat
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
וּ/מָ֣חֲתָה
mâchâh
H4229
to wipe
Conj | V-Qal-3fs
פִ֑י/הָ
peh
H6310
lip
N-ms | Suff
וְ֝/אָמְרָ֗ה
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-3fs
לֹֽא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
פָעַ֥לְתִּי
pâʻal
H6466
to work
V-Qal-Perf-1cs
אָֽוֶן
ʼâven
H205
evil
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 30:20
כֵּ֤ן
kên
H3651
"right"
Part
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means 'so' or 'thus', often used to show agreement or confirmation, like in the book of Genesis. It can also mean 'rightly' or 'justly', as in doing something the correct way. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: adv adj 1) right, just, honest, true, veritable 1a) right, just, honest 1b) correct 1c) true, veritable
Usage: Occurs in 737 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] after that (this, -ward, -wards), as... as, [phrase] (for-) asmuch as yet, [phrase] be (for which) cause, [phrase] following, howbeit, in (the) like (manner, -wise), [idiom] the more, right, (even) so, state, straightway, such (thing), surely, [phrase] there (where) -fore, this, thus, true, well, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:7; Exodus 37:19; Judges 7:17.
דֶּ֥רֶךְ
derek
H1870
"way"
N-cs
Derek refers to a road or path, and can also mean a way of life or manner of action. It is often used to describe a journey or direction, and can be used figuratively to describe a person's character or moral path.
Definition: : road/route 1) way, road, distance, journey, manner 1a) road, way, path 1b) journey 1c) direction 1d) manner, habit, way 1e) of course of life (fig.) 1f) of moral character (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 626 OT verses. KJV: along, away, because of, [phrase] by, conversation, custom, (east-) ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-) way(-side), whither(-soever). See also: Genesis 3:24; Deuteronomy 28:29; 1 Kings 15:34.
אִשָּׁ֗ה
ʼishshâh
H802
"woman"
N-fs
The Hebrew word for woman, used to describe a female person, wife, or animal, appears in many biblical passages, including Genesis and Exodus, and is often translated as woman, wife, or female.
Definition: : woman 1) woman, wife, female 1a) woman (opposite of man) 1b) wife (woman married to a man) 1c) female (of animals) 1d) each, every (pronoun)
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. See also: Genesis 2:22; Genesis 34:4; Numbers 5:12.
מְנָ֫אָ֥פֶת
nâʼaph
H5003
"to commit adultery"
V-Piel
This word means to commit adultery or be unfaithful, like in the story of David and Bathsheba. It can also mean to worship idols, which is a form of spiritual adultery. In the Bible, it is used to describe both physical and spiritual unfaithfulness.
Definition: 1) to commit adultery 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to commit adultery 1a1a) usually of man 1a1a1) always with wife of another 1a1b) adultery (of women) (participle) 1a2) idolatrous worship (fig.) 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to commit adultery 1b1a) of man 1b1b) adultery (of women) (participle) 1b2) idolatrous worship (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 26 OT verses. KJV: adulterer(-ess), commit(-ing) adultery, woman that breaketh wedlock. See also: Exodus 20:14; Jeremiah 23:10; Psalms 50:18.
אָ֭כְלָה
ʼâkal
H398
"to eat"
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
This word means to eat or devour, and it's used in many stories, including when Jesus fed the 5000 with fish and bread in the book of Matthew. It's about taking in nourishment and being satisfied.
Definition: 1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to eat (human subject) 1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds) 1a3) to devour, consume (of fire) 1a4) to devour, slay (of sword) 1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought) 1a6) to devour (of oppression) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be eaten (by men) 1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire) 1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh) 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to cause to eat, feed with 1c2) to cause to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to feed 1d2) to cause to eat 1e) (Piel) 1e1) consume Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)
Usage: Occurs in 703 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. See also: Genesis 2:16; Leviticus 6:9; Numbers 24:8.
וּ/מָ֣חֲתָה
mâchâh
H4229
"to wipe"
Conj | V-Qal-3fs
This verb means to erase or wipe something away. In Psalm 51:1, David asks God to blot out his sins. It can also mean to reach out or touch something.
Definition: 1) to wipe, wipe out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to wipe 1a2) to blot out, obliterate 1a3) to blot out, exterminate 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be wiped out 1b2) to be blotted out 1b3) to be exterminated 1c) (Hiphil) to blot out (from memory)
Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: abolish, blot out, destroy, full of marrow, put out, reach unto, [idiom] utterly, wipe (away, out). See also: Genesis 6:7; Nehemiah 13:14; Psalms 9:6.
פִ֑י/הָ
peh
H6310
"lip"
N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to the mouth, lips, or edge of something, and can also mean a portion or side of something. It is often used to describe speech or the act of speaking. This word appears in various forms, such as mouth, lip, or edge.
Definition: : lip/mouth peh 1) mouth 1a) mouth (of man) 1b) mouth (as organ of speech) 1c) mouth (of animals) 1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc) 1e) extremity, end pim 2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21
Usage: Occurs in 460 OT verses. KJV: accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), [idiom] eat, edge, end, entry, [phrase] file, hole, [idiom] in, mind, mouth, part, portion, [idiom] (should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, tenor, [idiom] to, [phrase] two-edged, wish, word. See also: Genesis 4:11; Deuteronomy 21:17; Ezra 9:11.
וְ֝/אָמְרָ֗ה
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-3fs
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
לֹֽא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
פָעַ֥לְתִּי
pâʻal
H6466
"to work"
V-Qal-Perf-1cs
To work or do something is the meaning of this Hebrew verb, often used to describe habitual or systematic actions. It can also mean to make or practise something.
Definition: 1) to do, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do 1a2) to make
Usage: Occurs in 55 OT verses. KJV: commit, (evil-) do(-er), make(-r), ordain, work(-er). See also: Exodus 15:17; Psalms 59:3; Psalms 5:6.
אָֽוֶן
ʼâven
H205
"evil"
N-ms
This word refers to evil, wickedness, or trouble, often describing idolatry or iniquity, and is used in various KJV translations to convey a sense of wrongdoing.
Definition: 1) trouble, wickedness, sorrow 1a) trouble, sorrow 1b) idolatry 1c) trouble of iniquity, wickedness Also means: a.ven (אָ֫וֶן ": trouble" H0205H)
Usage: Occurs in 79 OT verses. KJV: affliction, evil, false, idol, iniquity, mischief, mourners(-ing), naught, sorrow, unjust, unrighteous, vain, vanity, wicked(-ness). Compare H369 (אַיִן). See also: Numbers 23:21; Psalms 94:23; Psalms 5:6.
Study Notes — Proverbs 30:20
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 30:20 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 30:20
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 30:20
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 30:20
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 30:20
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 30:20
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 30:20
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 30:20
- Sermons on Proverbs 30:20
Context — The Words of Agur
18There are three things too wonderful for me, four that I cannot understand:
19the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship at sea, and the way of a man with a maiden.
20This is the way of an adulteress: She eats and wipes her mouth and says, ‘I have done nothing wrong.’
21Under three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up: 22a servant who becomes king, a fool who is filled with food,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 5:6 | She does not consider the path of life; she does not know that her ways are unstable. |
| 2 | Proverbs 7:13–23 | She seizes him and kisses him; she brazenly says to him: “I have made my peace offerings; today I have paid my vows. So I came out to meet you; I sought you, and I have found you. I have decked my bed with coverings, with colored linen from Egypt. I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, with aloes, and with cinnamon. Come, let us take our fill of love till morning. Let us delight in loving caresses! For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey. He took with him a bag of money and will not return till the moon is full.” With her great persuasion she entices him; with her flattering lips she lures him. He follows her on impulse, like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer bounding into a trap, until an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare— not knowing it will cost him his life. |
| 3 | Numbers 5:11–30 | Then the LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and tell them that if any man’s wife goes astray and is unfaithful to him by sleeping with another man, and it is concealed from her husband and her impurity is undetected (since there is no witness against her and she was not caught in the act), and if a feeling of jealousy comes over her husband and he suspects his wife who has defiled herself—or if a feeling of jealousy comes over him and he suspects her even though she has not defiled herself— then he is to bring his wife to the priest. He must also bring for her an offering of a tenth of an ephah of barley flour. He is not to pour oil over it or put frankincense on it, because it is a grain offering for jealousy, an offering of memorial as a reminder of iniquity. The priest is to bring the wife forward and have her stand before the LORD. Then he is to take some holy water in a clay jar and put some of the dust from the tabernacle floor into the water. After the priest has the woman stand before the LORD, he is to let down her hair and place in her hands the grain offering of memorial, which is the grain offering for jealousy. The priest is to hold the bitter water that brings a curse. And he is to put the woman under oath and say to her, ‘If no other man has slept with you and you have not gone astray and become defiled while under your husband’s authority, may you be immune to this bitter water that brings a curse. But if you have gone astray while under your husband’s authority and have defiled yourself and lain carnally with a man other than your husband’— and the priest shall have the woman swear under the oath of the curse—‘then may the LORD make you an attested curse among your people by making your thigh shrivel and your belly swell. May this water that brings a curse enter your stomach and cause your belly to swell and your thigh to shrivel.’ Then the woman is to say, ‘Amen, Amen.’ And the priest shall write these curses on a scroll and wash them off into the bitter water. He is to have the woman drink the bitter water that brings a curse, and it will enter her and cause her bitter suffering. The priest shall take from her hand the grain offering for jealousy, wave it before the LORD, and bring it to the altar. Then the priest is to take a handful of the grain offering as a memorial portion and burn it on the altar; after that he is to have the woman drink the water. When he has made her drink the water, if she has defiled herself and been unfaithful to her husband, then the water that brings a curse will enter her and cause bitter suffering; her belly will swell, her thigh will shrivel, and she will become accursed among her people. But if the woman has not defiled herself and is clean, she will be unaffected and able to conceive children. This is the law of jealousy when a wife goes astray and defiles herself while under her husband’s authority, or when a feeling of jealousy comes over a husband and he suspects his wife. He is to have the woman stand before the LORD, and the priest is to apply to her this entire law. |
Proverbs 30:20 Summary
This verse is talking about someone who has done something wrong, but is trying to act like everything is okay. The adulteress is like someone who eats a meal and then wipes her mouth, trying to remove any evidence of what she's done. This is a warning to us not to try to hide our sin, but instead to be honest with God and ourselves, as seen in Psalm 32:3-5 where it says that hiding our sin will lead to suffering, but confessing it will bring forgiveness. By being truthful about our sin, we can find forgiveness and restoration, just like in 1 John 1:9 where it says 'If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins'.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean when the Bible says 'She eats and wipes her mouth' in Proverbs 30:20?
This phrase is a metaphor for how an adulteress tries to cover up her sin, much like how we might wipe our mouth after eating to remove any evidence of the meal, as seen in the way Adam and Eve tried to hide from God after their sin in Genesis 3:8.
Why does the adulteress say 'I have done nothing wrong' in Proverbs 30:20?
The adulteress is trying to deceive herself and others about her sin, which is a common pattern in the Bible, as seen in 1 John 1:8 where it says 'If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us'.
Is Proverbs 30:20 talking about all women who have been unfaithful, or is it using 'adulteress' as a symbol for something else?
While the verse is literally talking about an adulteress, the concept can also be applied symbolically to anyone who is unfaithful to God, as seen in Hosea 1:2 where Israel is referred to as an adulteress for their idolatry.
How can I apply Proverbs 30:20 to my own life?
We can apply this verse by examining our own hearts and actions, and being honest with ourselves and God about our sin, as encouraged in Psalm 51:17 where it says 'The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart'.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I might be trying to 'wipe my mouth' and hide my own sin from God and others?
- How can I cultivate a heart of honesty and repentance, rather than trying to deceive myself and others about my sin?
- What are some areas in my life where I might be tempted to say 'I have done nothing wrong' when I know I have sinned?
- How can I seek forgiveness and restoration when I have sinned, rather than trying to cover it up?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 30:20
Such [is] the way of an adulterous woman,.... It is equally unknown as the way of a man with a maid; it is difficult to detect her, she takes so much care and caution, and uses so many artful methods
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 30:20
Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 30:20
Such, so secret and undiscernible, is the way of an adulterous woman; of her who, though she be called and accounted a maid yet in truth is an adulteress: not a common strumpet, for of such the following words are not true, but one that secretly lives in the sin of adultery or fornication. She eateth, to wit, the bread of deceit in secret, by which is understood the act of filthiness, 20:17, which such persons do as greedily desire, and as delightfully feed upon, as hungry persons do upon bread. Thus chastely doth the Holy Ghost express the most filthy actions, to teach us to avoid all immodest and obscene speeches as well as actions. Wipeth her mouth, as a child doth when it hath eaten some forbidden food, and would not be discovered. Saith, I have done no wickedness; denies the fact, and avoweth her innoceney.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 30:20
Proverbs 30:20 Such [is] the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.Ver. 20. So is the way of an adulterous woman.] The strumpet, when she hath eaten stolen bread, hath such dexterity in wiping her lips, that not the least crumb shall stick to them for discovery. So that Agur here shows it to be as hard to find it out as the way of an eagle in the air, the way of a serpent on a rock, &c. Unless taken in the manner, she stoutly denies the action. And if so taken, yet “ Nihil est audacius illis, Deprensis, iram atque animos a crimine sumunt. ” - Juvenal, Satyr. 6.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 30:20
(20) Such is the way of an adulterous woman.—As there is no proof of her guilt, she flatly denies it.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 30:20
20. The “four things” of the two preceding verses find their moral in this verse. So lightly does the abandoned woman think of the consequences of her sin; so does it pass away when committed and leave no mark behind. It is but to eat and wipe the lips, and all trace of the food is gone.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 30:20
20. Such — ëï, (ken,) so, a particle of comparison establishing a connexion with the preceding, and expressing the similitude between the way of an adulteress and the things just mentioned.
Sermons on Proverbs 30:20
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
A Confessing Sinner, and a Forgiving God by J.C. Philpot | J.C. Philpot preaches about the importance of acknowledging our sinful nature and the impossibility of achieving perfection in ourselves. He emphasizes that true perfection is foun |