Proverbs 16:29 - Printer Friendly

ESV: A man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good.

NIV: A violent person entices their neighbor and leads them down a path that is not good.

NASB: A person of violence entices his neighbor And leads him in a way that is not good.

CSB: A violent person lures his neighbor, leading him on a path that is not good.

NLT: Violent people mislead their companions, leading them down a harmful path.

KJV: A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.

NKJV: A violent man entices his neighbor, And leads him in a way that is not good.

Solomon described two kinds of evil people in the preceding verses (Proverbs 16:27–28). One was "worthless:" a villain who deliberately plotted evil. The other was "dishonest," using twisted words and lies. Here, evil is described in the form of violence. The Hebrew word translated "violence" here is hā'mās'. This includes brute force assault, as well as oppression or unjustness and cruelty. The term also evokes the lingering effects of violence, such as deprivation and abuse. This is the same term used to describe the men of the pre-flood world (Genesis 6:11). Men of violence are not only disobedient to God, they are also harsh and abusive to each other (Psalm 11:5; Proverbs 3:29).

Worse still is when the violent person persuades others to join in violent acts. Like Satan, he is not content to oppose God and all that is right; he drafts others into his evil activity. Revelation 12:3–4 mentions a great red dragon, Satan, who opposes God and God's people. In his rebellion against God, he led one third of the angels with him.

Paul warned Timothy about the dangers of evil people who lead others astray. Avoiding them, when possible, is key (1 Timothy 3:1–7). Instructions to resist evil also appear in Proverbs 1:10–15. These verses state, "My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. If they say, 'Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood …throw in your lot with us' … my son, do not walk in the way with them."

This part of Solomon's proverbs emphasizes human motives, self-control, and common sense. Many of these proverbs are arranged in a two-part style. The first and second half of these statements make the same basic point, but from opposite perspectives. Notable verses are verses 9 and 33, speaking of God's sovereignty, and verse 18, a famous warning about arrogance. Also often cited is verse 25, which repeats Proverbs 14:12 and encourages self-reflection.

A lengthy list of Solomon's wise sayings began in chapter 10. Chapter 16 begins a section mostly composed of comparisons and completions. It extends to Proverbs 22:16. Man's thoughts, speech, motives, and conduct are examined in this chapter. The chapter also addresses pride, evil, and injustice.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.