Proverbs 28:17

17 A man burdened by bloodguilt will flee into the Pit; ^[a] let no one support him.

Proverbs 28:17 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 28:17

A man that doeth violence to the blood of [any] person
That sheds the blood of any in a violent manner; that lays violent hands upon a club, and takes away his life, contrary to the law in ( Genesis 9:6 ) . Or, "that is pressed because of the blood of any person" ^F17; pressed in his own mind; filled with horror, and tortured in his conscience, for the innocent blood he has shed: the letter "daleth" in the word "Adam" is lesser than usual; and Vitringa, on ( Isaiah 34:6 ) ; observes, that it signifies a man red with blood, oppressed in his conscience, and depressed by God, which this minute letter is a symbol of; and thinks it applicable to Edom or Rome: or it signifies one pressed, pursued, and dose followed by the avenger of blood; shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him;
support or help him. When such a murderer flees, and is pursued, and unawares falls into a pit, or is like to do so, let no man warn him of it, or help him out of it; or if he flees to a pit to hide himself, let no man hold him or detain him there, or suffer him to continue in such a lurking place, but discover him or pluck him out; or, if he is a fugitive and a vagabond all his days, as Cain, the murderer of his brother, was, till he comes to the pit of the grave, let no man yield him any support or sustenance.

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FOOTNOTES:

F17 (Mdb qve) "pressus propter sanguinem animae", Amama, Cartwright; so R. Joseph Kimchi in D. Kimchii Sepher Shorash rad. (qve) .

Proverbs 28:17 In-Context

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.

17 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or will be a fugitive until death