Proverbs 24:11

11 Save those who are being led away to death. Hold back those who are about to be killed.

Proverbs 24:11 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 24:11

If thou forbear to deliver [them that are] drawn unto death,
&c.] Or "taken for or unto death" F8, in a violent way; who are taken by thieves and robbers, and used in a barbarous manner, as the man in the parable, whom the priest and Levite took no notice of, and was helped by the good Samaritan; or who are unjustly sentenced and appointed to death by the civil magistrate; if any know their innocency, it becomes them to do all they can to save their lives, by bearing a testimony for them; for "a true witness delivereth souls", ( Proverbs 14:25 ) ; or by interceding for them, and giving counsel and advice concerning them, or by any lawful way they can; as Reuben delivered Joseph, Jonathan interceded for David, and Ahikam and Ebedmelech for Jeremiah. Life is valuable, and all means should be taken to save it, and to prevent the shedding of innocent blood; and a man should not forbear or spare any cost, or pains, or time, to such service: likewise such as are drawn into snares and temptations, into immorality or heresy, which tend to the ruin of the souls of men, and bring them to eternal death; all proper, methods should be taken to restore such persons, to recover them out of the snare of the devil, which is saving souls from death, and covering a multitude of sins; see ( 2 Timothy 2:25 2 Timothy 2:26 ) ( James 5:19 James 5:20 ) ; and [those that are] ready to be slain;
or F9 "bending to slaughter"; are within a little of being executed, or put to death, upon a false accusation; for about others that suffer righteously there need not be that concern here pressed, or whose works and ways incline to destruction and lead to it, of which they seem not very far off.


FOOTNOTES:

F8 (twml Myxql) "captos ad mortem", Montanus. Piscator, Schultens.
F9 (grhl myjm) "inclinantes ad necem", Mercerus; "nutantes ad occasionem", Montanus, Coeccius; "nutantes ad lanienam", Schultens.

Proverbs 24:11 In-Context

9 Foolish plans are sinful. People hate those who make fun of others.
10 If you grow weak when trouble comes, your strength is very small!
11 Save those who are being led away to death. Hold back those who are about to be killed.
12 Don't say, "But we didn't know anything about this." The One who knows what you are thinking sees it. The One who guards your life knows it. He will pay each person back for what he has done.
13 Eat honey, my child. It is good. Honey from a honeycomb has a sweet taste.
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