New International Version
Proverbs 28:17
17Anyone tormented by the guilt of murder will seek refuge in the grave; let no one hold them back.
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.
- 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.
- New Living Translation (NLT)A murderer’s tormented conscience will drive him into the grave. Don’t protect him!
Context of Proverbs 28:17
15Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people. 16A tyrannical ruler practices extortion, but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign. Anyone tormented by the guilt of murder will seek refuge in the grave; let no one hold them back. 18The one whose walk is blameless is kept safe, but the one whose ways are perverse will fall into the pit. 19Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.
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 9:6“Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind.
- Exodus 21:14But if anyone schemes and kills someone deliberately, that person is to be taken from my altar and put to death.
- Numbers 35:14Give three on this side of the Jordan and three in Canaan as cities of refuge.
- 1 Kings 21:19Say to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: Have you not murdered a man and seized his property?’ Then say to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: In the place where dogs licked up Naboth’s blood, dogs will lick up your blood—yes, yours!’ ”
- 2 Kings 9:26‘Yesterday I saw the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons, declares the Lord, and I will surely make you pay for it on this plot of ground, declares the Lord.’ Now then, pick him up and throw him on that plot, in accordance with the word of the Lord.”
- 2 Chronicles 24:21But they plotted against him, and by order of the king they stoned him to death in the courtyard of the Lord’s temple.
- Matthew 27:4“I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.” “What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.”
- Acts 28:4When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to 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
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