innocent

Definition

The term “innocent” means to not be guilty of a crime or other wrongdoing. It can also refer more generally to people who are not involved in evil things.

• A person accused of doing something wrong is innocent if he has not committed that wrong.
• Sometimes the term “innocent” is used to refer to people who have done nothing wrong to deserve the bad treatment they are receiving, as in an enemy army attacking “innocent people.”
• In the Bible, “blood” can represent “killing,” so “innocent blood” refers to “killing people who did not deserve to die.”

Translation Suggestions

• In most contexts, the term “innocent” can be translated as “not guilty” or “not responsible” or “not to blame” for something.
• When referring in general to innocent people, this term could be translated as “who have done nothing wrong” or “who are not involved in evil.”
• “To shed innocent blood” can be translated as “to kill people who did not deserve to die.”

(See also: guilt)

Bible References

• 1 Corinthians 4:4
• 1 Samuel 19:5
• Acts 20:26
• Exodus 23:7
• Jeremiah 22:17
• Job 9:23
• Romans 16:18

Examples from the Bible stories

• __8:6 After two years, Joseph was still in prison, even though he was innocent__.
• __40:4 One of them mocked Jesus, but the other said, “Do you have no fear of God? We are guilty, but this man is innocent__.”
• __40:8 When the soldier guarding Jesus saw everything that happened, he said, “Certainly, this man was innocent__. He was the Son of God.”

Word Data

• Strong’s: H2136, H2600, H2643, H5352, H5355, H5356, G01210