Proverbs 6:34
For jealousy enrages a husband, and he will show no mercy in the day of vengeance.
For jealousy
The Hebrew word for "jealousy" is "קִנְאָה" (qin'ah), which conveys a deep, consuming passion that can be both protective and destructive. In the context of marriage, this jealousy is a fierce guarding of the sanctity and exclusivity of the marital relationship. Historically, this reflects the cultural and religious importance placed on fidelity within the covenant of marriage, as seen throughout the Old Testament. Jealousy here is not a petty emotion but a profound response to betrayal, echoing God's own jealousy for His people when they turn to other gods.

enrages
The term "enrages" translates from the Hebrew "חֵמָה" (chemah), meaning heat, fury, or wrath. This word paints a vivid picture of the intense emotional upheaval that jealousy can provoke. In the ancient Near Eastern context, emotions were often described in terms of physical sensations, such as heat or burning, indicating the overwhelming nature of the husband's response. This rage is not merely anger but a consuming fire that demands action, reflecting the seriousness with which marital fidelity was regarded.

a husband
The word "husband" here is "אִישׁ" (ish), which can mean man or husband, depending on the context. In this verse, it specifically refers to the male partner in a marriage, highlighting the patriarchal structure of ancient Israelite society where the husband was seen as the protector and head of the household. This role carried with it the responsibility to uphold the honor and integrity of the family unit, making any threat to that unit a matter of grave concern.

and he will show no mercy
The phrase "will show no mercy" is derived from the Hebrew "לֹא־יַחְמוֹל" (lo-yachmol), indicating a complete absence of compassion or leniency. In the biblical context, mercy is often associated with God's character, yet here, the husband's response to infidelity is portrayed as devoid of such mercy. This underscores the severity of the offense and the cultural expectation of retribution. The lack of mercy is a reflection of the deep wound inflicted by betrayal, which in ancient times could lead to severe consequences.

in the day of vengeance
"Day of vengeance" translates from "בְּיוֹם נָקָם" (beyom naqam), a phrase that signifies a specific time set aside for retribution or justice. In the biblical narrative, vengeance is often associated with divine justice, where God avenges wrongs done to His people. Here, it is the husband who assumes the role of avenger, emphasizing the personal and societal implications of infidelity. This phrase also serves as a warning of the inevitable consequences of betrayal, reminding the reader of the moral and ethical standards upheld by the community.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Husband
In this context, the husband represents a person who has been wronged by infidelity. His reaction is driven by jealousy, a powerful and often destructive emotion.

2. Day of Vengeance
This phrase refers to the time when the wronged husband seeks retribution for the betrayal he has suffered. It highlights the intensity of his emotional response.
Teaching Points
The Destructive Power of Jealousy
Jealousy can lead to irrational and harmful actions. It is crucial to recognize and address feelings of jealousy before they escalate into destructive behavior.

The Importance of Fidelity in Marriage
Faithfulness is foundational to a healthy marriage. Adultery not only breaks trust but also incites intense emotional responses that can lead to severe consequences.

Seeking God’s Wisdom in Relationships
Proverbs encourages us to seek wisdom and understanding in all areas of life, including relationships. Turning to God for guidance can help prevent situations that lead to jealousy and vengeance.

The Role of Forgiveness and Reconciliation
While the verse highlights the natural human response to betrayal, Christians are called to pursue forgiveness and reconciliation, reflecting Christ’s love and mercy.

Guarding Against Temptation
Being vigilant against situations that could lead to infidelity is essential. This includes setting boundaries and maintaining open communication with one’s spouse.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding the destructive nature of jealousy help us in our personal relationships?

2. In what ways can we guard our marriages against the temptations that lead to infidelity?

3. How can we apply the principles of forgiveness and reconciliation in situations where we have been wronged?

4. What practical steps can we take to seek God’s wisdom in our relationships, especially when dealing with strong emotions like jealousy?

5. How do other scriptures, such as those in the New Testament, guide us in handling feelings of jealousy and the desire for vengeance?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 20:14
This verse, part of the Ten Commandments, prohibits adultery, which is the underlying issue in Proverbs 6:34. It underscores the sanctity of marriage and the severe consequences of violating this covenant.

James 3:16
This verse discusses how jealousy and selfish ambition lead to disorder and every evil practice, connecting to the destructive nature of jealousy as seen in Proverbs 6:34.

Song of Solomon 8:6
This verse describes love as strong as death and jealousy as cruel as the grave, emphasizing the intense and consuming nature of jealousy.
Sin and SafetyW. Clarkson Proverbs 6:20-35
Warning Against AdulteryE. Johnson Proverbs 6:25-35
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Angry, Arouses, Bitter, Enrages, Furious, Fury, Husband, Husband's, Jealousy, Makes, Mercy, Punishment, Rage, Revenge, Spare, Takes, Vengeance, Won't, Wrath
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 6:30-35

     5264   compensation

Proverbs 6:32-34

     6242   adultery

Proverbs 6:32-35

     5238   bribery

Proverbs 6:34-35

     8299   love, in relationships

Library
The Talking Book
A Sermon (No. 1017) Delivered on Lord's Day Morning, October 22nd, 1871 at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, by C. H. Spurgeon. "When thou awakest, it shall talk with thee."--Proverbs 6:22. It is a very happy circumstance when the commandment of our father and the law of our mother are also the commandment of God and the law of the Lord. Happy are they who have a double force to draw them to the right--the bonds of nature, and the cords of grace. They sin with a vengeance who sin both against
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

An Appeal to Children of Godly Parents
A sermon (No. 2406) intended for reading on Lord's Day, March 31st, 1895, delivered by C. H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, on Lord's Day evening, March 27th, 1887. "My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. For the commandment is a lamp; and the law
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

The Talking Book
In order that we may be persuaded so to do, Solomon gives us three telling reasons. He says that God's law, by which I understand the whole run of Scripture, and, especially the gospel of Jesus Christ, will be a guide to us:--"When thou goest, it shall lead thee." It will be a guardian to us: "When thou sleepest"--when thou art defenceless and off thy guard--"it shall keep thee." And it shall also be a dear companion to us: "When thou awakest, it shall talk with thee." Any one of these three arguments
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

How Sowers of Strifes and Peacemakers are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 24.) Differently to be admonished are sowers of strifes and peacemakers. For sowers of strifes are to be admonished to perceive whose followers they are. For of the apostate angel it is written, when tares had been sown among the good crop, An enemy hath done this (Matth. xiii. 28). Of a member of him also it is said through Solomon, An apostate person, an unprofitable man, walketh with a perverse mouth, he winketh with his eyes, he beateth with his foot, he speaketh with his finger,
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

A Jealous God
I. Reverently, let us remember that THE LORD IS EXCEEDINGLY JEALOUS OF HIS DEITY. Our text is coupled with the command--"Thou shalt worship no other God." When the law was thundered from Sinai, the second commandment received force from the divine jealousy--"Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in the heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 9: 1863

How Subjects and Prelates are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 5.) Differently to be admonished are subjects and prelates: the former that subjection crush them not, the latter that superior place elate them not: the former that they fail not to fulfil what is commanded them, the latter that they command not more to be fulfilled than is just: the former that they submit humbly, the latter that they preside temperately. For this, which may be understood also figuratively, is said to the former, Children, obey your parents in the Lord: but to
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

The Preface to the Commandments
And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God,' &c. Exod 20: 1, 2. What is the preface to the Ten Commandments? The preface to the Ten Commandments is, I am the Lord thy God.' The preface to the preface is, God spake all these words, saying,' &c. This is like the sounding of a trumpet before a solemn proclamation. Other parts of the Bible are said to be uttered by the mouth of the holy prophets (Luke 1: 70), but here God spake in his own person. How are we to understand that, God spake,
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

"Boast not Thyself of to Morrow, for Thou Knowest not what a Day May Bring Forth. "
Prov. xxvii. 1.--"Boast not thyself of to morrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." As man is naturally given to boasting and gloriation in something (for the heart cannot want some object to rest upon and take complacency in, it is framed with such a capacity of employing other things), so there is a strong inclination in man towards the time to come, he hath an immortal appetite, and an appetite of immortality; and therefore his desires usually stretch farther than the present
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Heavenly Footman; Or, a Description of the Man that Gets to Heaven:
TOGETHER WITH THE WAY HE RUNS IN, THE MARKS HE GOES BY; ALSO, SOME DIRECTIONS HOW TO RUN SO AS TO OBTAIN. 'And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain: escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.'--Genesis 19:17. London: Printed for John Marshall, at the Bible in Gracechurch Street, 1698. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. About forty years ago a gentleman, in whose company I had commenced my
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

In Death and after Death
A sadder picture could scarcely be drawn than that of the dying Rabbi Jochanan ben Saccai, that "light of Israel" immediately before and after the destruction of the Temple, and for two years the president of the Sanhedrim. We read in the Talmud (Ber. 28 b) that, when his disciples came to see him on his death-bed, he burst into tears. To their astonished inquiry why he, "the light of Israel, the right pillar of the Temple, and its mighty hammer," betrayed such signs of fear, he replied: "If I were
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

"And Watch unto Prayer. "
1 Pet. iv. 7.--"And watch unto prayer." "Watch." A Christian should watch. A Christian is a watchman by office. This duty of watchfulness is frequently commanded and commended in scripture, Matt. xxiv. 42, Mark xiii. 33, 1 Cor. xvi. 13, Eph. vi. 18, 1 Pet. v. 8, Col. iv. 2; Luke xii. 37. David did wait as they that did watch for the morning light. The ministers of the gospel are styled watchmen in scripture and every Christian should be to himself as a minister is to his flock, he should watch over
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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