Proverbs 29:10

10 Men of ¹bloodshed hate the blameless, But the upright are concerned for his life.

Proverbs 29:10 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 29:10

The bloodthirsty hate the upright
Cain did Abel; and as the wicked world hate all good men, and persecute them, even unto death; but the just must seek his soul;
either the soul of the bloodthirsty, and that either the good of their souls; seek their spiritual welfare, and pray for it, even though they are so cruel and inhuman: or just magistrates will seek after such persons, to punish them for shedding the blood of the upright. Or else the meaning is, that just persons seek the soul of the upright, and make inquisition for the blood of such, to punish for it; which comes to the same sense, as Aben Ezra observes: or rather, such seek to defend and preserve the soul or life of upright men from those that hate and persecute them. Jarchi illustrates it by ( 1 Samuel 22:23 ) ; the Targum is,

``men that shed blood hate integrity; but the upright seek it.''

Proverbs 29:10 In-Context

8 Scorners set a city aflame, But wise men turn away anger.

9 When a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man, The foolish man either rages or laughs, and there is no rest.

10 Men of bloodshed hate the blameless, But the upright are concerned for his life.

11 A fool always loses his temper, But a wise man holds it back.

12 If a ruler pays attention to falsehood, All his ministers become wicked.

Cross References

• 1. Genesis 4:5-8; 1 John 3:12

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "seek his soul"