Proverbs 1:16

16 for their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood.

Proverbs 1:16 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 1:16

For their feet run to evil
To the evil of sin, to commit robberies and murder, and all manner of iniquity; they are eager upon it, and in haste and swift to do it, ( Proverbs 6:18 ) F24; being carried away with their inordinate affections, which are as feet to the soul; and drawn aside with their lusts, and pushed on by Satan, and, encouraged by one another, and so rush on headlong to the evil of punishment also; and which is a reason why their ways and paths should be abstained from, because they bring upon them swift destruction; it is to their own hurt they run, as Jarchi interprets it; though the first sense seems best to agree with what follows; and make haste to shed blood;
the blood of innocent persons, in order to get their substance, to cover their iniquity and shame, and that no information may be given of them; this is mentioned as having something very horrible in it, in order to deter from joining with them.


FOOTNOTES:

F24 "Velox ad facinus", Claudian. in Rufin. l. 1. v. 240.

Proverbs 1:16 In-Context

14 throw in your lot among us, we will all have one purse" --
15 my son, do not walk in the way with them, hold back your foot from their paths;
16 for their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood.
17 For in vain is a net spread in the sight of any bird;
18 but these men lie in wait for their own blood, they set an ambush for their own lives.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.