Proverbs 6:30-35 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Men do not despise a thief That is, abhor or reproach him, but rather pity and pardon him, who is urged by mere necessity to these practices, but the adulterer is abhorred by all. If he The thief; be found, he shall restore seven-fold The law (Exo 22:1-4) did not oblige the thief to restore seven-fold, but only five oxen for one, or in another case double. Some persons think that the word seven-fold is only used as an indefinite number, meaning he shall restore the value of that which he hath taken, and much more. Others think that, as thefts were multiplied, so the punishment of them was increased in Solomon's time; or, at least, that it was the practice of some nations to require this seven-fold restitution. Some again have thought (which seems most probable) that he speaks not of that restitution which the law required, but of that which either the wronged person might force the thief to make, or which the thief would willingly give rather than be exposed to public shame. But whoso committeth adultery lacketh understanding Shows still greater folly; for, if he is found out, he is not punished in his estate only, but with loss of life; for if a theft, occasioned by hunger, is so punished, how much more severely shall the adulterer be punished, who robs a man of what is so much more valuable and dear to him than any part of his property, even of his wife, without any such necessity. He is indeed a brutish and silly man who madly rushes upon those filthy courses without any sense or consideration of the horrid shame and certain destruction which attend upon them. He that doeth it That commits such a crime; destroyeth his own soul Not only his life, but his soul: he is guilty, not only of self-murder, but of soul-murder. A wound and dishonour shall he get Evil or corporeal punishment from the magistrate, or rather from the woman's husband, as it follows. And his reproach shall not be wiped away Although it should be forgiven by God, yet the reproach and scandal of it will remain. For jealousy is the rage of a man It inflames a man with rage and fury against the adulterer. Therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance When he has an opportunity to avenge himself upon the delinquent. He will not regard any ransom Though the adulterer may be willing to expiate his crime, and redeem his life at any rate, it will not be accepted: the largest gifts will be refused, and nothing will satisfy the injured husband but the death of the person who hath injured him so deeply.