God’s Word Translation
Proverbs 28:17
17A person burdened with the guilt of murder will be a fugitive down to his grave. No one will help him.
Proverbs 28:17 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.
- New International Version (NIV)Anyone tormented by the guilt of murder will seek refuge in the grave; let no one hold them back.
- English Standard Version (ESV)If one is burdened with the blood of another, he will be a fugitive until death; let no one help him.
- New King James Version (NKJV)A man burdened with bloodshed will flee into a pit; Let no one help him.
Context of Proverbs 28:17
15⌞Like⌟ a roaring lion and a charging bear, ⌞so⌟ a wicked ruler is a threat to poor people. 16A leader without understanding taxes ⌞his people⌟ heavily, but those who hate unjust gain will live longer. A person burdened with the guilt of murder will be a fugitive down to his grave. No one will help him. 18Whoever lives honestly will be safe. Whoever lives dishonestly will fall all at once. 19Whoever works his land will have plenty to eat. Whoever chases unrealistic dreams will have plenty of nothing.
Read all of Proverbs 28Proverbs 28:17 word by word
אָ֭דָם עָשֻׁ֣ק בְּדַם־נָפֶשׁ עַד־בּ֥וֹר יָ֝נ֗וּס אַל־יִתְמְכוּ־בֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 28:17
- Genesis 9:6Whoever sheds human blood, by humans his blood will be shed, because in the image of God, God made humans.
- Exodus 21:14But whenever someone becomes so angry that he plans to kill his neighbor, you must take him away from my altar and put him to death.
- Numbers 35:14three on the east side of the Jordan River and three in Canaan.
- 1 Kings 21:19Tell him, ‘This is what the Lord asks: Have you murdered someone just to confiscate ⌞a vineyard⌟?’ Then tell him, ‘This is what the Lord says: At the place where the dogs licked up Naboth’s blood, the dogs will lick up your blood.’ ”
- 2 Kings 9:26‘Just as I saw the blood of Naboth and his sons yesterday, I will pay you back in this field,’ declares the Lord. Now take him and throw him into the field as the Lord predicted.”
- 2 Chronicles 24:21But they plotted against Zechariah, and by the king’s order they stoned him to death in the courtyard of the Lord’s temple.
- Matthew 27:4He said, “I’ve sinned by betraying an innocent man.” They replied, “What do we care? That’s your problem.”
- Acts 28:4When the people who lived on the island saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer! He may have escaped from the sea, but justice won’t let him live.”
Commentaries on Proverbs 28:17
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17That 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.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 17The 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.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 17Verse 17 The murderer shall be haunted with terrors. None shall desire to save him from deserved punishment, nor pity him.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 17burdened by bloodguilt: See 1 Samuel 25:31; Romans 2:15; 13:5; compare Hebrews 10:22. let no one support him: Murder is so serious that a fine cannot replace the death penalty (see Numbers 35:32).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1717. doeth violence ... blood, &c.--or, that is oppressed by the blood of life (Ge 9:6), which he has taken. to the pit--the grave or destruction (Pr 1:12; Job 33:18-24; Psa 143:7). stay him--sustain or deliver him.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 28:17
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 28
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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