Proverbs 28:17

A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him. A MAN THAT DOETH VIOLENCE TO (OR ELSE, THAT IS OPPRESSED-BURDENED WITH) THE BLOOD OF (ANY) PERSON (HEBREW, A SOUL; ) SHALL FLEE TO THE PIT - lashed by the scourges of conscience (). He shall, like Cain, wander to and fro, until, wearied of life, he casts himself into dangers. LET NO MAN STAY HIM. This is an exception to , on the ground stated in ; . Maurer translates, 'fearing lest men apprehend him.' But the Hebrew negative, al,...

Verse Proverbs 28:17. _THAT DOETH VIOLENCE TO THE BLOOD_] He who either _slays_ the innocent, or procures his destruction, may flee to _hide_ himself: but let none give him protection. The law demands his life, because he is a _murderer_; and let none deprive justice of its claim. Murder is the most horrid crime in the sight of God and man; it scarcely ever goes unpunished, and is universally execrated....

The case of willful murder, not the lesser crime of manslaughter for which the cities of refuge were appointed. One, with that guilt on his soul, is simply hasting on to his own destruction. Those who see him must simply stand aloof, and let God’s judgments fulfill themselves....

EXPOSITION This chapter is still part of the Hezekiah collection, and not a new series by another author. It may be regarded as describing the various destinies of the powerful and the weak, the sinner and the righteous. PROVERBS 28:1 THE WICKED FLEE WHEN NO MAN PURSUETH. The unreasoning terror of the sinner arises partly from his uneasy conscience, which will not permit him to transgress without warning of consequences, and partly from the judgment of God, according to the threats denounced in Leviticus 26:36, Leviticus 26:37. A terrible picture of this instinctive fear is drawn in...

A MAN THAT DOETH VIOLENCE TO THE BLOOD OF [ANY] PERSON,.... That sheds the blood of any in a violent manner; that lays violent hands upon a club, and takes away his life, contrary to the law in Genesis 9:6. Or, "that is pressed because of the blood of any person" q; pressed in his own mind; filled with horror, and tortured in his conscience, for the innocent blood he has shed: the letter "daleth" in the word "Adam" is lesser than usual; and Vitringa, on Isaiah 34:6; observes, that it signifies a man red with blood, oppressed in his conscience, and depressed by God, which this minute letter is a symbol of; and thinks it applicable to Edom or Rome: or it signifies one pressed, pursued, and dose followed by the avenger of blood; SHALL FLEE TO THE PIT; LET NO MAN STAY HIM; support or help him. When

CHAPTER 28 WARNINGS AND INSTRUCTIONS CONTINUED The wicked is a coward; the righteous man, because he trusteth in the Lord and knows the Lord is on his side, is as bold as a lion. It is the conscience which makes a coward of the wicked man. This chapter has many sharp contrasts and important warnings and exhortations. We point out a few. Those who forsake the law, turn their backs upon the revelation of God, refuse obedience to Him, praise the wicked, they make common cause with them. Those who keep the law, obey God's Word, are contenders for the faith Proverbs 28:4. Evil men are blind, but with seeking the Lord comes understanding, the blind eyes are opened Proverbs 28:5. A wise son is he who keepeth the law; such was Solomon till he plunged into apostasy and darkness...

SECOND DIVISION, PROVERBS 28 F. In general character this division resembles Section II., consisting chiefly of antithetic couplets. PROVERBS 28:2 B. The text is uncertain, and various renderings are possible. The translation state is very doubtful. If MT be retained, connect the word for state with the preceding, and translate by men of understanding who know what is right it is prolonged. LXX reads Through the sin of the ungodly disputes arise, but a prudent man quenches them, possibly the original text. Proverbs 28:3. A needy man: so MT, but the thought is not in keeping with the conception of the poor in Pr. or in the OT. We should probably read a wicked man who, etc. (LXX), or possibly a rich man who, etc. The simile seems to be that of a heavy unseasonable rain which flood

THE BLOOD OF ANY PERSON. the blood of. soul. PERSON. Hebrew. _nephesh._ App-13. PIT. the grave. Hebrew. _bor._ NO MAN. none: i.e.. man oppressed with the guilt of murder (compare Genesis 9:4; Genesis 9:5) will flee to the pit [of destruction]: let none lay hold on him; there is no occasion for it; he is his own tormentor, and will probably be his own executioner, or will deliver himself up to justice....

_doeth violence to_ Rather, IS LADEN WITH, R.V. See Genesis 9:6....

A MAN THAT DOETH VIOLENCE— Houbigant has it, _If any man is an oppressor, and a lier in wait for blood, when he flieth to a pit, no man shall stop him._ That is, according to Grotius, "Whoever oppresses others, so as to shed innocent blood, will not be withheld or stopped, if he should fly towards covered pitfalls; for the enormity of his crimes will steel every one's breast against him, and no one will shew the least pity towards him....