Proverbs 28:17
15 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.
16 A leader who lacks judgment is also a great oppressor, but he who hates dishonest profit will prolong his days.
A man burdened by bloodguilt will flee into the Pit; let no one support him.
18 He who walks with integrity will be kept safe, but whoever is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.
19 The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- A man burdened by bloodguilt will flee into the Pit; let no one support him.
- KJV
- A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.
- WEB
- A man who is tormented by blood guilt will be a fugitive until death. No one will support him.
- ASV
- A man that is laden with the blood of any person Shall flee unto the pit; let no man stay him.
- DARBY
- A man laden with the blood of [any] person, fleeth to the pit: let no man stay him.
- BLB
- A man pressed down by the bloodshed of a soul will flee into the Pit, [with] none grabbing hold of him.
- ÅB
- Et menneske som trykkes av blodskyld, er på flukt like til sin grav; ingen må holde på ham.[^1]
- OTB
- Den som er tynget av skyld for mord vil være en flyktning til døden; la ingen støtte dem.
- B1930
- Et menneske som trykkes av blodskyld, er på flukt like til sin grav; ingen må holde på ham.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Genesis 9:6
Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind.
Read in contextExodus 21:14
But if a man schemes and acts willfully against his neighbor to kill him, you must take him away from My altar to be put to death.
Read in context1 Kings 21:19
Tell him that this is what the LORD says: ‘Have you not murdered a man and seized his land?’ Then tell him that this is also what the LORD says: ‘In the place where the dogs licked up the blood of Naboth, there also the dogs will lick up your blood—yes, yours!’”
Read in contextNumbers 35:14–34
Select three cities across the Jordan and three in the land of Canaan as cities of refuge.
Read in contextActs 28:4
When the islanders saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “Surely this man is a murderer. Although he was saved from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.”
Read in context2 Kings 9:26
‘As surely as I saw the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons yesterday, declares the LORD, so will I repay you on this plot of ground, declares the LORD.’ Now then, according to the word of the LORD, pick him up and throw him on the plot of ground.”
Read in context2 Chronicles 24:21–25
But they conspired against Zechariah, and by order of the king, they stoned him in the courtyard of the house of the LORD.
Read in contextMatthew 27:4–5
“I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” he said. “What is that to us?” they replied. “You bear the responsibility.”
Read in context