Proverbs 1:16

16 for their feet run to evil, and they hurry to shed blood.

Proverbs 1:16 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 1:16

For their feet run to evil
To the evil of sin, to commit robberies and murder, and all manner of iniquity; they are eager upon it, and in haste and swift to do it, ( Proverbs 6:18 ) F24; being carried away with their inordinate affections, which are as feet to the soul; and drawn aside with their lusts, and pushed on by Satan, and, encouraged by one another, and so rush on headlong to the evil of punishment also; and which is a reason why their ways and paths should be abstained from, because they bring upon them swift destruction; it is to their own hurt they run, as Jarchi interprets it; though the first sense seems best to agree with what follows; and make haste to shed blood;
the blood of innocent persons, in order to get their substance, to cover their iniquity and shame, and that no information may be given of them; this is mentioned as having something very horrible in it, in order to deter from joining with them.


FOOTNOTES:

F24 "Velox ad facinus", Claudian. in Rufin. l. 1. v. 240.

Proverbs 1:16 In-Context

14 Throw in your lot among us; we will all have one purse"—
15 my child, do not walk in their way, keep your foot from their paths;
16 for their feet run to evil, and they hurry to shed blood.
17 For in vain is the net baited while the bird is looking on;
18 yet they lie in wait—to kill themselves! and set an ambush—for their own lives!
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.