Proverbs 1:12

12 let’s swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit;

Proverbs 1:12 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
12 Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:
English Standard Version (ESV)
12 like Sheol let us swallow them alive, and whole, like those who go down to the pit;
New Living Translation (NLT)
12 Let’s swallow them alive, like the grave ; let’s swallow them whole, like those who go down to the pit of death.
The Message Bible (MSG)
12 Let's pick them clean and get them ready for their funerals.
American Standard Version (ASV)
12 Let us swallow them up alive as Sheol, And whole, as those that go down into the pit;
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
12 We'll swallow them alive like the grave, like those in good health who go into the pit.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
12 Let's swallow them alive, like Sheol, still healthy as they go down to the Pit.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
12 Let's swallow them alive, as the grave does. Let's swallow them whole, like those who go down into the pit.

Proverbs 1:12 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 1:12

Let us swallow them up alive as the grave
The innocent person, and those that are with him, his servants; our gang is so numerous that we can very easily dispatch him and all his attendants, and bury them out of sight at once, as if they were swallowed up alive in a grave, and so no more to be seen or heard of; and consequently we shall be in the utmost safety and security, there being no traces of what is done, nor any left to make a relation of it, or to give any information of us, or to pursue us;

and whole, as those that go down into the pit;
who though whole and in perfect health, shall in a moment be destroyed and cast into the pit, being first plundered of all the riches they have about them; for this swallowing them up alive and whole, which is an allusion to a beast of prey swallowing up another creature all at once, not only intends their cruelty in taking away life, but their rapaciousness in seizing upon their substance.

Proverbs 1:12 In-Context

10 My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them.
11 If they say, “Come along with us; let’s lie in wait for innocent blood, let’s ambush some harmless soul;
12 let’s swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit;
13 we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder;
14 cast lots with us; we will all share the loot”—

Cross References 2

  • 1. S Psalms 35:25
  • 2. ver 16-18; S Job 33:18; S Psalms 30:3; Psalms 28:1
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