New King James Version
Proverbs 28:17
17A man burdened with bloodshed will flee into a pit; Let no one 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 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 and a charging bear Is a wicked ruler over poor people. 16A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor, But he who hates covetousness will prolong his days. A man burdened with bloodshed will flee into a pit; Let no one help him. 18Whoever walks blamelessly will be saved, But he who is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall. 19He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough!
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 man’s blood, By man his blood shall be shed; For in the image of God He made man.
- Exodus 21:14“But if a man acts with premeditation against his neighbor, to kill him by treachery, you shall take him from My altar, that he may die.
- Numbers 35:14You shall appoint three cities on this side of the Jordan, and three cities you shall appoint in the land of Canaan, which will be cities of refuge.
- 1 Kings 21:19You shall speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Have you murdered and also taken possession?” ’ And you shall speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord: “In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth, dogs shall lick your blood, even yours.” ’ ”
- 2 Kings 9:26‘Surely I saw yesterday the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons,’ says the Lord, ‘and I will repay you in this plot,’ says the Lord. Now therefore, take and throw him on the plot of ground, according to the word of the Lord.”
- 2 Chronicles 24:21So they conspired against him, and at the command of the king they stoned him with stones in the court of the house of the Lord.
- Matthew 27:4saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!”
- Acts 28:4So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow 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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries