Proverbs 24:11

11 Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter.

Proverbs 24:11 in Other Translations

11 If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;

11 Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.

11 Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to die; save them as they stagger to their death.

11 Rescue the perishing; don't hesitate to step in and help.

11 Rescue those being taken off to death, and save those stumbling toward slaughter.

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 The schemes of folly are sin, and people detest a mocker.

10 If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength!

11 Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter.

12 If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?

13 Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste.

Cross References

• 1. Psalms 82:4; Isaiah 58:6-7