What Does Proverbs 7:13 Mean in the King James?

So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him,

Proverbs 7:13 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

Hebrew puts strength at both ends of the approach: she takes hold with ⁨חזק⁩, then makes her face bold with ⁨עזז⁩.

THE MEANING

This verse shows a grasp followed by a kiss, then an unflinching face and direct speech. Its wording keeps the bodily pressure visible: the kiss comes inside the act of taking hold. The moment is intimate and forceful at once.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

A kiss does not, by itself, prove gentleness or welcome; here it follows a grasp and sits within a bold advance.

THE ROOT

הֶחֱזִיקָה

heḥĕzîqāh

GROWS FROM

חזק

ḥ-z-q

Be strong, make strong; by extension, hold firmly or seize.

The verb rendered “caught” is built from strength: it can describe making firm or taking hold. The kiss does not soften that first action; the Hebrew starts with a strong grasp, a use of the same root that can also describe holding someone by the hand.

ALSO GROWS

ḥāzāq: Strong, firm

חָזָק

It keeps the action rendered “caught” within the field of applied strength.

heḥĕzîq: Take hold, hold fast

הֶחֱזִיק

The same verb family names her grasp here and the hand held for help in Isaiah 41:13.

הֵעֵזָה

heʿēzāh

GROWS FROM

עזז

ʿ-z-z

Be strong, show strength; hence act boldly.

The KJV’s “impudent” carries a shade of strength and boldness: she makes her face bold. Paired with ⁨חזק⁩ in “caught,” the wording gives her approach force in both hand and expression.

ALSO GROWS

ʿaz: Strong, fierce, bold

עַז

Boldness names strength expressed as a manner or stance.

hēʿēz: Act boldly, show oneself bold

הֵעֵז

This verbal form makes the boldness an active posture, not just a description of her face.

THE PATTERN

A grasp’s character is revealed by what follows: it can coerce, rescue, or restore.

And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister.

2 Samuel 13:11 · KJVThe same ⁨חזק⁩ verb describes Amnon taking hold of Tamar, and the words that follow make the grasp coercive.

For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

Isaiah 41:13 · KJVThe same root describes a hand held for help, showing that the root’s force can serve protection rather than capture.

And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.

Mark 5:41 · KJVA different Greek verb describes Jesus taking a girl’s hand as he restores her; what follows reveals the nature of the hold.

THE THREAD

For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

Isaiah 41:13 · KJV

Proverbs uses ⁨חזק⁩ for her taking hold of him; Isaiah uses the same root for the LORD holding the reader’s hand. The root gives both acts the force of a firm grasp, while what follows reveals whether the hold captures or helps.

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