King James Version

What Does Proverbs 30:20 Mean?

Proverbs 30:20 in the King James Version says “Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.” — study this verse from Proverbs chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.”

Proverbs 30:20 · KJV

Context

18

There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not:

19

The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid. midst: Heb. heart

20

Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.

21

For three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear:

22

For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat;

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness. This verse applies the previous metaphor negatively: the ishah me'na'afet (אִשָּׁה מְנָאָפֶת, adulterous woman) operates with the same traceless, mysterious manner but toward evil ends. Like the eagle, serpent, ship, and courtship that leave no trail, adultery conceals its tracks. "She eateth" uses sexual euphemism (Proverbs 9:17). "Wipeth her mouth" (machatah piha, מָחֲתָה פִיהָ) suggests removing evidence. "I have done no wickedness" (lo fa'alti aven, לֹא־פָעַלְתִּי אָוֶן) is brazen denial.

The horror is not merely committing adultery but the hardened conscience that rationalizes sin as innocence. She treats sacred covenant violation as casually as eating a meal—satisfy desire, clean up, move on. No remorse, no conviction, no awareness of having violated God's law or betrayed marriage vows. This describes the seared conscience (1 Timothy 4:2), the person so practiced in sin that guilt no longer registers. Jesus warned that persistent sin darkens the heart until "the light that is in thee be darkness" (Matthew 6:23).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Proverbs repeatedly warns against adultery (2:16-19, 5:3-23, 6:24-35, 7:6-27). In ancient Israel, adultery was capital crime (Leviticus 20:10, Deuteronomy 22:22). The severity reflected adultery's assault on family structure—the foundational social unit. Adultery violated covenant, betrayed trust, confused genealogy, and corrupted household order. The adulteress here is not the naïve young woman seduced by smooth words but the hardened predator who initiates seduction without conscience. Proverbs personifies wisdom and folly as women (Lady Wisdom vs. Folly); the adulteress represents those who pursue sin systematically while maintaining respectable appearance.

Reflection Questions

  1. What sins might you be treating casually like the adulteress—committing, rationalizing, denying—while claiming innocence?
  2. How does repeated sin progressively desensitize conscience until we no longer recognize wickedness, and what spiritual disciplines restore moral sensitivity?
  3. How does Jesus's confrontation of the woman at the well (John 4) and the woman caught in adultery (John 8) offer both truth-telling and grace that expose sin while offering restoration?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
כֵּ֤ן׀1 of 11
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

דֶּ֥רֶךְ2 of 11

“Such is the way”

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

אִשָּׁ֗ה3 of 11

“woman”

H802

a woman

מְנָ֫אָ֥פֶת4 of 11

“of an adulterous”

H5003

to commit adultery; figuratively, to apostatize

אָ֭כְלָה5 of 11

“she eateth”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

וּמָ֣חֲתָה6 of 11

“and wipeth”

H4229

properly, to stroke or rub; by implication, to erase; also to smooth (as if with oil), i.e., grease or make fat

פִ֑יהָ7 of 11

“her mouth”

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

וְ֝אָמְרָ֗ה8 of 11

“and saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לֹֽא9 of 11
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

פָעַ֥לְתִּי10 of 11

“I have done”

H6466

to do or make (systematically and habitually), especially to practise

אָֽוֶן׃11 of 11

“no wickedness”

H205

strictly nothingness; also trouble, vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Proverbs. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Proverbs 30:20 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Proverbs 30:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Proverbs 7:13-23Proverbs 5:6Numbers 5:11-30

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