Proverbs 28:17

17 Anyone tormented by the guilt of murder will seek refuge in the grave; let no one hold them back.

Proverbs 28:17 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
17 A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
17 If one is burdened with the blood of another, he will be a fugitive until death; let no one help him.
New Living Translation (NLT)
17 A murderer’s tormented conscience will drive him into the grave. Don’t protect him!
The Message Bible (MSG)
17 A murderer haunted by guilt is doomed - there's no helping him.
American Standard Version (ASV)
17 A man that is laden with the blood of any person Shall flee unto the pit; Let no man stay him.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
17 A person burdened with the guilt of murder will be a fugitive down to his grave. No one will help him.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
17 A man burdened by bloodguilt will be a fugitive until death. Let no one help him.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
17 A man who is troubled because he is guilty of murder will be on the run until the day he dies. No one should give him any help.

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.


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 tyrannical ruler practices extortion, but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign.
17 Anyone tormented by the guilt of murder will seek refuge in the grave; let no one hold them back.
18 The one whose walk is blameless is kept safe, but the one whose ways are perverse will fall into the pit.
19 Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.

Cross References 1

  • 1. Genesis 9:6; 1 Samuel 30:17; 1 Kings 20:20; Jeremiah 41:15; Jeremiah 44:14
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.