New Living Translation
Proverbs 28:17
17A murderer’s tormented conscience will drive him into the grave. Don’t protect 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
15A wicked ruler is as dangerous to the poor as a roaring lion or an attacking bear. 16A ruler with no understanding will oppress his people, but one who hates corruption will have a long life. A murderer’s tormented conscience will drive him into the grave. Don’t protect him! 18The blameless will be rescued from harm, but the crooked will be suddenly destroyed. 19A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies ends up in 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 9:6If anyone takes a human life, that person’s life will also be taken by human hands. For God made human beings in his own image.
- Exodus 21:14However, if someone deliberately kills another person, then the slayer must be dragged even from my altar and be put to death.
- Numbers 35:14three on the east side of the Jordan River and three on the west in the land of Canaan.
- 1 Kings 21:19Give him this message: ‘This is what the Lord says: Wasn’t it enough that you killed Naboth? Must you rob him, too? Because you have done this, dogs will lick your blood at the very place where they licked the blood of Naboth!’”
- 2 Kings 9:26‘I solemnly swear that I will repay him here on this plot of land, says the Lord, for the murder of Naboth and his sons that I saw yesterday.’ So throw him out on Naboth’s property, just as the Lord said.”
- 2 Chronicles 24:21Then the leaders plotted to kill Zechariah, and King Joash ordered that they stone him to death in the courtyard of the Lord’s Temple.
- Matthew 27:4“I have sinned,” he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.” “What do we care?” they retorted. “That’s your problem.”
- Acts 28:4The people of the island saw it hanging from his hand and said to each other, “A murderer, no doubt! Though he escaped the sea, justice will not permit 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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