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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Proverbs 30:20 This is the way of an adulteress: She eats and wipes her mouth and says, 'I have done nothing wrong.'</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/30-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/20_Pro_30_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 30:20 - The Words of Agur" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="This is the way of an adulteress: She eats and wipes her mouth and says, 'I have done nothing wrong.'" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/30.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />This <i>is</i> the way of an adulterous woman: She eats and wipes her mouth, And says, “I have done no wickedness.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/30.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />This is the way of an adulterous woman: She eats and wipes her mouth, And says, “I have done no wrong.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/30.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />This is the way of an adulterous woman: She eats and wipes her mouth, And says, &#8220I have done no wrong.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/30.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />This is the way of an adulterous woman: She eats and wipes her mouth, And says, “I have done no wrong.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/30.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />This is the way of an adulterous woman: She eats and wipes her mouth, And says, “I have done no wrong.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/30.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />This is the way of an adulterous woman: She eats and wipes her mouth And says, “I have done no wrong.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/30.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />This is the way of an adulteress: she eats and wipes her mouth and says, “I’ve done nothing wrong.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/30.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />This is the way of an adulteress: she eats and wipes her mouth and says, &#8220I&#8217ve done nothing wrong.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/30.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />So is the way of an adulterous woman; She eateth, and wipeth her mouth, And saith, I have done no wickedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/30.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />An unfaithful wife says, "Sleeping with another man is as natural as eating." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/30.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />So is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/30.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />This is the way of a woman who commits adultery: She eats, wipes her mouth, and says, "I haven't done anything wrong!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/30.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />This is how an unfaithful wife acts: she commits adultery, takes a bath, and says, "But I haven't done anything wrong!" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/30.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />This is what an immoral woman is like: she eats, wipes her mouth, then says "I've done nothing wrong."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/30.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />This is the way of an adulteress: She eats and wipes her mouth and says, ?I have done nothing wrong.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/30.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />This is the way of an adulterous woman: she eats and wipes her mouth and says, "I have not done wrong." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/30.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"So is the way of an adulterous woman: she eats and wipes her mouth, and says, 'I have done nothing wrong.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/30.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/30.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“So is the way of an adulterous woman: She eats and wipes her mouth, and says, ‘I have done nothing wrong.’ <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/30.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />So—the way of an adulterous woman, "" She has eaten and has wiped her mouth, "" And has said, “I have not done iniquity.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/30.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> So -- the way of an adulterous woman, She hath eaten and hath wiped her mouth, And hath said, 'I have not done iniquity.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/30.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />So the way of a woman committing adultery; eating and wiping her mouth, and saying, I transgressed not.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/30.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Such is also the way of an adulterous woman, who eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith: I have done no evil. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/30.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Such is the way also of an adulterous woman, who eats, and wiping her mouth, says: “I have done no evil.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/30.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />This is the way of an adulterous woman: she eats, wipes her mouth, and says, “I have done no wrong.” <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/30.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />This is the way of an adulteress: she eats, and wipes her mouth, and says, “I have done no wrong.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/30.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eats, and wipes her mouth, and says, I have done no evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/30.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />So is the way of an adulterous woman; she eats and she wipes her mouth and she says, "I have done nothing.”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/30.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />So is the way of an adulterous woman; She eateth, and wipeth her mouth, And saith: 'I have done no wickedness.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/30.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Such is the way of an adulterous woman, who having washed herself from what she has done, says she has done nothing amiss.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/30-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=6313" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/30.htm">The Words of Agur</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">19</span>the 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. <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3651.htm" title="3651: kên (Adv) -- So, thus. From kuwn; properly, set upright; hence just; but usually rightly or so.">This</a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: de·reḵ (N-csc) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">is the way</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: ’iš·šāh (N-fs) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">of an adulteress:</a> <a href="/hebrew/5003.htm" title="5003: mə·nā·’ā·p̄eṯ (V-Piel-Prtcpl-fs) -- To commit adultery. A primitive root; to commit adultery; figuratively, to apostatize."></a> <a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: ’ā·ḵə·lāh (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat.">She eats</a> <a href="/hebrew/4229.htm" title="4229: ū·mā·ḥă·ṯāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3fs) -- To stroke, rub, to erase, to smooth, grease, make fat, to touch, reach to.">and wipes</a> <a href="/hebrew/6310.htm" title="6310: p̄î·hā (N-msc:: 3fs) -- Mouth. From pa'ah; the mouth, whether literal or figurative; specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially according to.">her mouth</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: wə·’ā·mə·rāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3fs) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">and says,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6466.htm" title="6466: p̄ā·‘al·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- Do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, especially to practise.">‘I have done</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">nothing</a> <a href="/hebrew/205.htm" title="205: ’ā·wen (N-ms) -- From an unused root perhaps meaning properly, to pant; strictly nothingness; also trouble. Vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol.">wrong.’</a> </span><span class="reftext">21</span>Under three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up:…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-27.htm">Matthew 23:27-28</a></span><br />Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. / In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/3-3.htm">Jeremiah 3:3</a></span><br />Therefore the showers have been withheld, and no spring rains have fallen. Yet you have the brazen look of a prostitute; you refuse to be ashamed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/16-32.htm">Ezekiel 16:32</a></span><br />You adulterous wife! You receive strangers instead of your own husband!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-14.htm">Hosea 4:14</a></span><br />I will not punish your daughters when they prostitute themselves, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery. For the men themselves go off with prostitutes and offer sacrifices with shrine prostitutes. So a people without understanding will come to ruin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/6-9.htm">1 Corinthians 6:9-10</a></span><br />Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, / nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/3-16.htm">Isaiah 3:16</a></span><br />The LORD also says: “Because the daughters of Zion are haughty—walking with heads held high and wanton eyes, prancing and skipping as they go, jingling the bracelets on their ankles—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/2-20.htm">Revelation 2:20-22</a></span><br />But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads My servants to be sexually immoral and to eat food sacrificed to idols. / Even though I have given her time to repent of her immorality, she is unwilling. / Behold, I will cast her onto a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her will suffer great tribulation unless they repent of her deeds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/6-15.htm">Jeremiah 6:15</a></span><br />Are they ashamed of the abomination they have committed? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush. So they will fall among the fallen; when I punish them, they will collapse,” says the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/2-13.htm">2 Peter 2:13-14</a></span><br />The harm they will suffer is the wages of their wickedness. They consider it a pleasure to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deception as they feast with you. / Their eyes are full of adultery; their desire for sin is never satisfied; they seduce the unstable. They are accursed children with hearts trained in greed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/57-3.htm">Isaiah 57:3-4</a></span><br />“But come here, you sons of a sorceress, you offspring of adulterers and prostitutes! / Whom are you mocking? At whom do you sneer and stick out your tongue? Are you not children of transgression, offspring of deceit,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/4-2.htm">1 Timothy 4:2</a></span><br />influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/13-22.htm">Ezekiel 13:22</a></span><br />Because you have disheartened the righteous with your lies, even though I have caused them no grief, and because you have encouraged the wicked not to turn from their evil ways to save their lives,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/2-5.htm">Hosea 2:5</a></span><br />For their mother has played the harlot and has conceived them in disgrace. For she thought, ‘I will go after my lovers, who give me bread and water, wool and linen, oil and drink.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/3-5.htm">2 Timothy 3:5</a></span><br />having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/8-12.htm">Jeremiah 8:12</a></span><br />Are they ashamed of the abomination they have committed? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush. So they will fall among the fallen; when I punish them, they will collapse, says the LORD.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eats, and wipes her mouth, and said, I have done no wickedness.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/7-13.htm">Proverbs 7:13-23</a></b></br> So she caught him, and kissed him, <i>and</i> with an impudent face said unto him, … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/5-11.htm">Numbers 5:11-30</a></b></br> And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/22-14.htm">Adulteress</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-13.htm">Adulterous</a> <a href="/2_samuel/4-6.htm">Cleaning</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-17.htm">Eaten</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-18.htm">Eateth</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-25.htm">Eats</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-8.htm">Food</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-8.htm">Iniquity</a> <a href="/job/19-7.htm">I've</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-21.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-19.htm">Way</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-26.htm">Wickedness</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-15.htm">Wife</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-33.htm">Wiped</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-13.htm">Wipes</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-13.htm">Wipeth</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-22.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezekiel/16-32.htm">Adulteress</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-32.htm">Adulterous</a> <a href="/jeremiah/15-7.htm">Cleaning</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-12.htm">Eaten</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-27.htm">Eateth</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-13.htm">Eats</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-22.htm">Food</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-16.htm">Iniquity</a> <a href="/luke/13-7.htm">I've</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-32.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-30.htm">Way</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-16.htm">Wickedness</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-23.htm">Wife</a> <a href="/isaiah/26-14.htm">Wiped</a> <a href="/isaiah/43-25.htm">Wipes</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-13.htm">Wipeth</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-1.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 30</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/30-1.htm">Agur's confession of his faith</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/30-7.htm">The two points of his prayer</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/30-10.htm">The meanest are not to be wronged</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/30-11.htm">Four wicked generations</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/30-15.htm">Four things insatiable</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/30-24.htm">four things exceeding wise</a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/30-29.htm">Four things stately</a></span><br><span class="reftext">32. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/30-32.htm">Wrath is to be prevented</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/30.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/30.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>This is the way of an adulteress:</b><br>The phrase introduces the behavior and mindset of an adulteress, a recurring theme in Proverbs. Adultery is condemned throughout Scripture as a violation of the marriage covenant, which is sacred and reflective of God's covenant with His people (<a href="/malachi/2-14.htm">Malachi 2:14</a>). The adulteress here symbolizes not only literal infidelity but also spiritual unfaithfulness, as seen in Israel's idolatry (<a href="/hosea/2-2.htm">Hosea 2:2-5</a>). The warning against such behavior is consistent with the wisdom literature's emphasis on moral integrity and the fear of the Lord (<a href="/proverbs/1-7.htm">Proverbs 1:7</a>).<p><b>She eats and wipes her mouth</b><br>This imagery suggests a casual and dismissive attitude towards sin. Eating and wiping the mouth imply that the adulteress treats her actions as ordinary and without consequence. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, meals were significant social and religious events, often involving rituals of purification. The act of wiping her mouth symbolizes an attempt to erase evidence of wrongdoing, akin to how people might try to cover up sin without true repentance. This reflects a hardened heart, indifferent to the moral and spiritual implications of her actions.<p><b>and says, ‘I have done nothing wrong.’</b><br>This statement highlights the self-deception and moral blindness of the adulteress. It echoes the human tendency to justify sin and avoid accountability, a theme prevalent throughout the Bible (<a href="/jeremiah/17-9.htm">Jeremiah 17:9</a>). The denial of wrongdoing is a rejection of God's law, which clearly defines adultery as sin (<a href="/exodus/20-14.htm">Exodus 20:14</a>). This attitude contrasts with the call to repentance and acknowledgment of sin found in passages like 1 <a href="/john/1-9.htm">John 1:9</a>. The adulteress's claim of innocence is a stark reminder of the need for humility and the recognition of one's need for God's grace and forgiveness.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/a/adulteress.htm">Adulteress</a></b><br>The central figure in this verse, representing a person who engages in sexual immorality and deceit. The term "adulteress" is used metaphorically to describe someone who is unrepentant and dismissive of their sinful actions.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/agur.htm">Agur</a></b><br>The author of <a href="/bsb/proverbs/30.htm">Proverbs 30</a>, who is traditionally understood to be a wise man contributing to the collection of Proverbs. His observations provide insight into human behavior and morality.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/ancient_israel.htm">Ancient Israel</a></b><br>The cultural and historical context in which the Proverbs were written. Understanding the societal norms and values of ancient Israel helps in interpreting the text.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_deceptive_nature_of_sin.htm">The Deceptive Nature of Sin</a></b><br>Sin often disguises itself as harmless or justified. The adulteress's behavior illustrates how sin can be rationalized and dismissed, leading to a hardened heart.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_repentance.htm">The Importance of Repentance</a></b><br>True repentance involves acknowledging one's wrongdoing and seeking forgiveness. The adulteress's denial of her sin serves as a warning against the dangers of unrepentance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/guarding_against_temptation.htm">Guarding Against Temptation</a></b><br>Believers are called to be vigilant and guard their hearts against temptation. Recognizing the subtlety of sin helps in maintaining spiritual integrity.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_conscience.htm">The Role of Conscience</a></b><br>A seared conscience can lead to moral blindness. Regular self-examination and alignment with God's Word are essential for maintaining a sensitive and responsive conscience.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_impact_of_sin_on_relationships.htm">The Impact of Sin on Relationships</a></b><br>Sin not only affects the individual but also damages relationships with others and with God. Understanding the broader consequences of sin encourages a commitment to righteousness.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_30.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 30</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_god's_purpose_for_marriage.htm">What does the Bible say about disrespectful children?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_rehab_views_conflict_with_proverbs_20_30.htm">Proverbs 20:30 states punishment cleanses away evil--do contemporary views on rehabilitation versus punishment conflict with this concept?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_anyone_fully_embody_proverbs_31.htm">How can one person realistically fulfill all the ideal qualities described in Proverbs 31:10-31 without ever falling short?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_esther_8_11_fit_ot_justice.htm">How does the violent response sanctioned in Esther 8:11 align with broader Old Testament teachings on justice and mercy?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/30.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(20) <span class= "bld">Such is the way of an adulterous woman.--</span>As there is no proof of her guilt, she flatly denies it.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/30.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 20.</span> - This verse is a kind of gloss or illustration of the last thought of the preceding verse, and seems not to have formed an original part of the numerical proverb. It might well be placed in a parenthesis. Many commentators consider it to be an interpolation. <span class="cmt_word">Such is the way of an adulterous woman.</span> What Agur had said of a man above, he now applies to the practised adulteress, whose sin cannot be traced. <span class="cmt_word">She eateth</span>. This is a euphemism for the sin which she commits, "Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant" (<a href="/proverbs/9-17.htm">Proverbs 9:17</a>; comp. <a href="/proverbs/5-15.htm">Proverbs 5:15</a>). <span class="cmt_word">And wipeth her mouth,</span> as if to leave no trace of her illicit repast. <span class="cmt_word">And saith, I have done no wickedness.</span> As she has sinned in secret, and there is no outward proof of her guilt, she boldly denies it. Septuagint, "Such is the way of an adulterous woman, who, when she has committed the act, having washed herself, says she has done nothing amiss." She forgets him who seeth in secret, and is quite content to escape detection at man's eyes, and to assume the character of a virtuous wife, which popular report assigns to her. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/30-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">This</span><br /><span class="heb">כֵּ֤ן ׀</span> <span class="translit">(kên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3651.htm">Strong's 3651: </a> </span><span class="str2">So -- thus</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is the way</span><br /><span class="heb">דֶּ֥רֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(de·reḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> </span><span class="str2">A road, a course of life, mode of action</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of an adulteress:</span><br /><span class="heb">אִשָּׁ֗ה</span> <span class="translit">(’iš·šāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> </span><span class="str2">Woman, wife, female</span><br /><br /><span class="word">She eats</span><br /><span class="heb">אָ֭כְלָה</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḵə·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> </span><span class="str2">To eat</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and wipes</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמָ֣חֲתָה</span> <span class="translit">(ū·mā·ḥă·ṯāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4229.htm">Strong's 4229: </a> </span><span class="str2">To stroke, rub, to erase, to smooth, grease, make fat, to touch, reach to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">her mouth</span><br /><span class="heb">פִ֑יהָ</span> <span class="translit">(p̄î·hā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6310.htm">Strong's 6310: </a> </span><span class="str2">The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and says,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְ֝אָמְרָ֗ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ā·mə·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“I have done</span><br /><span class="heb">פָעַ֥לְתִּי</span> <span class="translit">(p̄ā·‘al·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6466.htm">Strong's 6466: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make, to practise</span><br /><br /><span class="word">no</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹֽא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">wrong.”</span><br /><span class="heb">אָֽוֶן׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·wen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_205.htm">Strong's 205: </a> </span><span class="str2">Strictly nothingness, trouble, vanity, wickedness, an idol</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/30-20.htm">Proverbs 30:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/30-20.htm">Proverbs 30:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/30-20.htm">Proverbs 30:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/30-20.htm">Proverbs 30:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/30-20.htm">Proverbs 30:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/30-20.htm">Proverbs 30:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/30-20.htm">Proverbs 30:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/30-20.htm">Proverbs 30:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/30-20.htm">Proverbs 30:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/30-20.htm">Proverbs 30:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/30-20.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 30:20 So is the way of an adulterous (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/30-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 30:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 30:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/30-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 30:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 30:21" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>