Proverbs 6:31 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 6:31 mean?

Proverbs 6:31 says that if a thief is caught, he must pay back seven times what he stole, even if it costs him everything he owns. The verse emphasizes the seriousness of making restitution for wrongdoing, showing that the consequences can be very costly.

In the context of Proverbs, this verse is part of a warning against adultery, using the example of a thief to highlight how serious it is to take what does not belong to you. The writer, traditionally understood as Solomon, is speaking to his son or a young listener, explaining that even when someone steals out of need, they are still held fully responsible and must make things right, sometimes at great personal loss.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 6:31

• "found" (מָצָא, matsa): This word means to be discovered or caught. The verse assumes the thief does not get away with his crime, highlighting the likelihood of eventual exposure.
• "restore" (שָׁלַם, shalam): This word means to repay or make whole. It is often used in legal or relational contexts for making restitution, stressing that the wrong must be fully corrected.
• "sevenfold" (שִׁבְעָתַיִם, shiv'atayim): This means seven times over. In ancient Israel, this was not always a literal number but could mean full or complete repayment, showing the seriousness of the penalty.
• "substance" (הוֹן, hon): This word refers to wealth or possessions. The verse points out that the thief might have to give up everything he owns to pay back what he took.

Why Proverbs 6:31 matters

• Proverbs 6:31 clarifies that even desperate actions, like stealing out of hunger, do not remove the responsibility to make things right; the law still requires full restitution.
• The verse uses the example of a thief to set up a comparison with adultery in the following verses, showing that some wrongs have even greater consequences.
• Understanding the original words helps reveal that the "sevenfold" repayment is about complete restitution, not just a strict mathematical formula, emphasizing the seriousness of making amends.