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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 6:31 Yet if caught, he must pay sevenfold; he must give up all the wealth of his house.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/6-31.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/20_Pro_06_31.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 6:31 - Warnings Against Adultery" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Yet if caught, he must pay sevenfold; he must give up all the wealth of his house." /><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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he will give all the goods of his house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/6.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Yet if caught, he must pay sevenfold; he must give up all the wealth of his house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/6.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />But <i>if</i> he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/6.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Yet <i>when</i> he is found, he must restore sevenfold; He may have to give up all the substance of his house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/6.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But when he is found, he must repay seven times <i>as much;</i> He must give up all the property of his house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/6.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />But when he is found, he must repay sevenfold; He must give all the substance of his house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/6.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />But when he is found, he must repay sevenfold; He must give all the substance of his house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/6.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But when he is found, he must repay sevenfold; He must give all the substance of his house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/6.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But when he is found, he must repay seven times [what he stole]; He must give all the property of his house [if necessary to meet his fine].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/6.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Still, if caught, he must pay seven times as much; he must give up all the wealth in his house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/6.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Still, if caught, he must pay seven times as much; he must give up all the wealth in his house. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/6.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; He shall give all the substance of his house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/6.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />And thieves who get caught must pay back seven times what was stolen and lose everything. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/6.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/6.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />but when he is caught, he has to repay it seven times. He must give up all the possessions in his house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/6.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />yet if he is caught, he must pay back seven times more--he must give up everything he has. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/6.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />but when he is discovered, he must restore seven-fold, forfeiting the entire value of his house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/6.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Yet if caught, he must pay sevenfold; he must give up all the wealth of his house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/6.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Yet if he is caught he must repay seven times over, he might even have to give all the wealth of his house. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/6.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />but if he is found, he must repay seven times. He shall give all the wealth of his house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/6.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But if he is found, he shall restore seven-fold; he shall give all the substance of his house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/6.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />but if he is found, he shall restore seven times. He shall give all the wealth of his house. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/6.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And being found he repays sevenfold, "" He gives all the substance of his house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/6.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And being found he repayeth sevenfold, All the substance of his house he giveth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/6.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And being found he shall recompense seven fold; he shall give all the substance of his house.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/6.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And if he be taken he shall restore sevenfold, and shall give up all the substance of his house. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/6.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Also, if he is apprehended, he shall repay sevenfold and hand over all the substance of his house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/6.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Yet if caught they must pay back sevenfold, yield up all the wealth of their house. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/6.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Yet if they are caught, they will pay sevenfold; they will forfeit all the goods of their house.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/6.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But if he is caught, he shall pay sevenfold; he shall give all the goods of his house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/6.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And if he is caught stealing, he pays each sevenfold, and he gives all the possessions of his house.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/6.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />But if he be found, he must restore sevenfold, He must give all the substance of his house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/6.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />but if he should be taken, he shall repay sevenfold, and shall deliver himself by giving all his goods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/6-31.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=1100" 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/6.htm">Warnings Against Adultery</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">30</span>Men do not despise the thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger. <span class="reftext">31</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4672.htm" title="4672: wə·nim·ṣā (Conj-w:: V-Nifal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To attain to, find. ">Yet if caught,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7999.htm" title="7999: yə·šal·lêm (V-Piel-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to be safe; figuratively, to be completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate.">he must pay</a> <a href="/hebrew/7659.htm" title="7659: šiḇ·‘ā·ṯā·yim (Number-fd) -- Sevenfold, seven times. Dual of sheba'; seven- times.">sevenfold;</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: yit·tên (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">he must give up</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">all</a> <a href="/hebrew/1952.htm" title="1952: hō·wn (N-msc) -- Wealth, sufficiency. From the same as huwn in the sense of 'own; wealth; by implication, enough.">the wealth</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: bê·ṯōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">of his house.</a> </span><span class="reftext">32</span>He who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself.…<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="/exodus/22-1.htm">Exodus 22:1</a></span><br />“If a man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters or sells it, he must repay five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/19-8.htm">Luke 19:8</a></span><br />But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, half of my possessions I give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will repay it fourfold.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/6-4.htm">Leviticus 6:4-5</a></span><br />once he has sinned and becomes guilty, he must return what he has stolen or taken by extortion, or the deposit entrusted to him, or the lost property he found, / or anything else about which he has sworn falsely. He must make restitution in full, add a fifth of the value, and pay it to the owner on the day he acknowledges his guilt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/12-6.htm">2 Samuel 12:6</a></span><br />Because he has done this thing and has shown no pity, he must pay for the lamb four times over.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/5-7.htm">Numbers 5:7</a></span><br />and must confess the sin he has committed. He must make full restitution, add a fifth to its value, and give all this to the one he has wronged.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/20-18.htm">Job 20:18</a></span><br />He must return the fruit of his labor without consuming it; he cannot enjoy the profits of his trading.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/33-15.htm">Ezekiel 33:15</a></span><br />if he restores a pledge, makes restitution for what he has stolen, and walks in the statutes of life without practicing iniquity—then he will surely live; he will not die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-25.htm">Matthew 5:25-26</a></span><br />Reconcile quickly with your adversary, while you are still on the way to court. Otherwise, he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. / Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-58.htm">Luke 12:58-59</a></span><br />Make every effort to reconcile with your adversary while you are on your way to the magistrate. Otherwise, he may drag you off to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and the officer may throw you into prison. / I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the very last penny.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-7.htm">Romans 13:7</a></span><br />Pay everyone what you owe him: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/12-3.htm">1 Samuel 12:3</a></span><br />Here I am. Bear witness against me before the LORD and before His anointed: Whose ox or donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated or oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe and closed my eyes? Tell me, and I will restore it to you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/34-14.htm">Jeremiah 34:14</a></span><br />Every seventh year, each of you must free his Hebrew brother who has sold himself to you. He may serve you six years, but then you must let him go free. But your fathers did not listen or incline their ear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/5-11.htm">Nehemiah 5:11-12</a></span><br />Please restore to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves, and houses, along with the percentage of the money, grain, new wine, and oil that you have been assessing them.” / “We will restore it,” they replied, “and will require nothing more from them. We will do as you say.” So I summoned the priests and required of the nobles and officials an oath that they would do what they had promised.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/61-8.htm">Isaiah 61:8</a></span><br />For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity; in My faithfulness I will give them their recompense and make an everlasting covenant with them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/5-11.htm">Amos 5:11-12</a></span><br />Therefore, because you trample on the poor and exact from him a tax of grain, you will never live in the stone houses you have built; you will never drink the wine from the lush vineyards you have planted. / For I know that your transgressions are many and your sins are numerous. You oppress the righteous by taking bribes; you deprive the poor of justice in the gate.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.</p><p class="hdg">if</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/22-1.htm">Exodus 22:1,3,4</a></b></br> If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/12-6.htm">2 Samuel 12:6</a></b></br> And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/20-18.htm">Job 20:18</a></b></br> That which he laboured for shall he restore, and shall not swallow <i>it</i> down: according to <i>his</i> substance <i>shall</i> the restitution <i>be</i>, and he shall not rejoice <i>therein</i>.</p><p class="hdg">he shall give</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/18-25.htm">Matthew 18:25</a></b></br> But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/3-27.htm">Act</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-2.htm">Caught</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-7.htm">Costs</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-19.htm">Found</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-10.htm">Goods</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-10.htm">House</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-1.htm">Pay</a> <a href="/psalms/135-4.htm">Property</a> <a href="/psalms/116-12.htm">Repay</a> <a href="/psalms/137-8.htm">Repayeth</a> <a href="/psalms/126-4.htm">Restore</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-16.htm">Seven</a> <a href="/psalms/79-12.htm">Sevenfold</a> <a href="/psalms/79-12.htm">Seven-Fold</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-28.htm">Substance</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-14.htm">Times</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-10.htm">Wealth</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/12-22.htm">Act</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-13.htm">Caught</a> <a href="/matthew/13-46.htm">Costs</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-15.htm">Found</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-14.htm">Goods</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-6.htm">House</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-24.htm">Pay</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-15.htm">Property</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-17.htm">Repay</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-17.htm">Repayeth</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-26.htm">Restore</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-1.htm">Seven</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-26.htm">Sevenfold</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-26.htm">Seven-Fold</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-14.htm">Substance</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-23.htm">Times</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-18.htm">Wealth</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 6</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/6-1.htm">against indebtedness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/6-6.htm">idleness </a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/6-12.htm">and mischievousness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/6-16.htm">seven things detestable to God</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/6-20.htm">the blessings of obedience</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/6-25.htm">the mischief of unfaithfulness</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'; 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In biblical context, the idea of being "caught" reflects the divine justice system where God sees all actions, even those done in secret (<a href="/hebrews/4-13.htm">Hebrews 4:13</a>). The concept of being caught also aligns with the principle of reaping what one sows (<a href="/galatians/6-7.htm">Galatians 6:7</a>).<p><b>he must pay sevenfold;</b><br>The number seven in the Bible often symbolizes completeness or perfection. In this context, paying "sevenfold" suggests a complete restitution, emphasizing the seriousness of the offense. This principle of restitution is seen in the Mosaic Law, where a thief must repay multiple times what was stolen (<a href="/exodus/22.htm">Exodus 22:1</a>). The sevenfold repayment underscores the gravity of sin and the need for full restitution.<p><b>he must give up all the wealth of his house.</b><br>This phrase highlights the costliness of sin and the potential for total loss as a consequence of wrongdoing. It reflects the biblical principle that sin can lead to severe consequences, affecting one's entire household (<a href="/joshua/7-24.htm">Joshua 7:24-25</a>). The idea of losing all wealth also serves as a warning against the pursuit of ill-gotten gains, reminding believers of the value of integrity and righteousness over material wealth (<a href="/proverbs/15-16.htm">Proverbs 15:16</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_thief.htm">The Thief</a></b><br>The central figure in this verse, representing someone who steals out of necessity or desire. The thief's actions and consequences are used to illustrate broader moral and spiritual truths.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_victim.htm">The Victim</a></b><br>Implicit in the verse, the victim is the one from whom the thief steals. The victim's loss is acknowledged, and justice is sought through restitution.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_act_of_restitution.htm">The Act of Restitution</a></b><br>The event of the thief being caught and required to repay sevenfold, highlighting the principle of justice and restoration in biblical law.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_principle_of_restitution.htm">The Principle of Restitution</a></b><br>The verse underscores the biblical principle that wrongdoing, especially theft, requires restitution. This principle is rooted in justice and the restoration of relationships.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_sin.htm">Consequences of Sin</a></b><br>Sin, even when committed out of necessity, has consequences. The requirement to repay sevenfold serves as a deterrent and a reminder of the cost of sin.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/m/moral_responsibility.htm">Moral Responsibility</a></b><br>Believers are called to uphold integrity and honesty in all dealings. The verse challenges us to consider our actions and their impact on others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_restoration.htm">Repentance and Restoration</a></b><br>True repentance involves not only seeking forgiveness but also making amends. This aligns with the biblical call to restore what has been wrongfully taken.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_justice_and_mercy.htm">God’s Justice and Mercy</a></b><br>While the law demands justice, God’s mercy offers forgiveness. Believers are encouraged to seek God’s grace while upholding His standards of justice.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_6.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 6</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_solomon's_life_teach_us.htm">What lessons does Solomon's life teach us?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_the_schemes_of_the_devil.htm">What does the Bible say about wealth inequality?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_proverbs_30_7-9.htm">Proverbs 30:7-9 emphasizes neither poverty nor riches; how do we reconcile this with other passages that promise material blessings?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_human_efforts_succeed_without_god.htm">(Psalm 127:1) If a house can only stand with God's help, why do we see so many successful endeavors achieved by purely human effort?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/6.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(31) <span class= "bld">But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold.</span>--Rather, <span class= "ital">And if he be found, he may restore sevenfold, he may give up all the wealth of his house. </span>The law only required a two--or four--or fivefold compensation (Exodus 22); he may do even more. "Sevenfold" signifies full restitution. (Comp. <a href="/genesis/4-24.htm" title="If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.">Genesis 4:24</a> : <a href="/leviticus/26-28.htm" title="Then I will walk contrary to you also in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins.">Leviticus 26:28</a>.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/6.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 31.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">But if he be taken, he shill restore sevenfold.</span> Men do not despise the thief, but yet they apprehend him and insist on fullest restitution. <span class="accented">Be found</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> seized (Delitzsch), or legally convicted (Gejerus). <span class="accented">He shall restore</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> he must restore (Zockler). Delitzsch, however, understands the future, <span class="accented">y'shalem</span>, as potential, "he may restore." <span class="accented">Sevenfold</span>; Hebrew, <span class="accented">siv'athayim</span>; <span class="accented">LXX.</span>, <span class="greek">ἐπταπλάσια</span>; Vulgate, <span class="accented">septulum.</span> On this word Geier remarks, "Haec vox nullibi in sacris ponitur pio numero definito;" <span class="accented">i.e.</span> "It is nowhere put in Scripture for a definite number." It is therefore to be understood indefinitely of complete restitution, or, as it is expressed in the second and parallel clauses, "all the substance of his house." The word is used in this sense in <a href="/genesis/4-24.htm">Genesis 4:24</a>; <a href="/leviticus/26-28.htm">Leviticus 26:28</a>; <a href="/job/5-19.htm">Job 5:19</a> (Lapide). Theft under the Mosaic Law was punishable by a fivefold, fourfold, and twofold restitution (<a href="/exodus/22-1.htm">Exodus 22:1-4, 9</a>), and, in the event of this not forthcoming, the delinquent was to be sold into slavery (Leviticus 25:89). In <a href="/2_samuel/12-6.htm">2 Samuel 12:6</a> a fourfold restitution is mentioned, and in the New Testament Zacchaeus promises to restore fourfold if he could be convicted of fraud (<a href="/luke/19-8.htm">Luke 19:8</a>). In the attempts to reconcile the "sevenfold" of our passage with the requirements of the Mosaic Law, Aben Ezra says that the combined penalties for two cases of theft are contemplated, and others that in the time of the writer the penalties had been increased. But proof of this is wanting. Grotius's explanation is more curious than correct, viz. that if the theft be repeated seven times, and he be "taken" seven times, the thief should only be punished by being forced to make restitution with some addition. Both the Greek and Roman law demanded a twofold restitution. Selden maintains that theft would have been subjected to the usual punishment (Selden, 'De Jure Not. et Gent.,' 6, 100, 6). We may therefore come to the conclusion that "sevenfold" is used in the sense indicated above. As to any objection which may be raised on the seem of inconsistency in talking of a man malting restitution, and giving all his substance when he steals to satisfy his hunger, it may be remarked that he need not necessarily be without substance of some sort or other, and he could acquire subsequently sufficient to satisfy the demand. On the question whether a person is justified by extreme want in stealing, see Grotius, 'De Jure Belli et Pacis,' 2, 100, 2, § 6; Puffendorf, 'De Jure Not. et Gent,' 2, 100, 6, § 5; Blackstone, 'Commentary,' 4:2 § 4. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/6-31.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">Yet if caught,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְ֭נִמְצָא</span> <span class="translit">(wə·nim·ṣā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4672.htm">Strong's 4672: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he must pay</span><br /><span class="heb">יְשַׁלֵּ֣ם</span> <span class="translit">(yə·šal·lêm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7999.htm">Strong's 7999: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be safe, to be, completed, to be friendly, to reciprocate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sevenfold;</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׁבְעָתָ֑יִם</span> <span class="translit">(šiḇ·‘ā·ṯā·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - fd<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7659.htm">Strong's 7659: </a> </span><span class="str2">Sevenfold, seven times</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he must give up</span><br /><span class="heb">יִתֵּֽן׃</span> <span class="translit">(yit·tên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">all</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the wealth</span><br /><span class="heb">ה֖וֹן</span> <span class="translit">(hō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1952.htm">Strong's 1952: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wealth, sufficiency</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of his house.</span><br /><span class="heb">בֵּית֣וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(bê·ṯōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> </span><span class="str2">A house</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/6-31.htm">Proverbs 6:31 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/6-31.htm">Proverbs 6:31 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/6-31.htm">Proverbs 6:31 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/6-31.htm">Proverbs 6:31 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/6-31.htm">Proverbs 6:31 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/6-31.htm">Proverbs 6:31 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/6-31.htm">Proverbs 6:31 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/6-31.htm">Proverbs 6:31 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/6-31.htm">Proverbs 6:31 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/6-31.htm">Proverbs 6:31 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/6-31.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 6:31 But if he is found he shall (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/6-30.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 6:30"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 6:30" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/6-32.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 6:32"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 6:32" /></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>