Proverbs 29:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Bloodthirsty men hate one who is blameless and seek the life of the upright.

NIV: The bloodthirsty hate a person of integrity and seek to kill the upright.

NASB: People of bloodshed hate the blameless person, But the upright are concerned for his life.

CSB: Bloodthirsty men hate an honest person, but the upright care about him.

NLT: The bloodthirsty hate blameless people, but the upright seek to help them.

KJV: The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.

NKJV: The bloodthirsty hate the blameless, But the upright seek his well-being.

Several proverbs in this section suggest courts and official judgment (Proverbs 29:4, 7, 12, 14). It's possible this proverb specifically refers to evil people who arrange for witnesses to be killed before they can testify. More generally, it speaks to the way wickedness hates being exposed (Proverbs 26:26; John 3:20). Doing right can lead to eternal benefits (Matthew 5:12), but it often means being persecuted by a fallen, sinful world (Genesis 3:15; 4:9–10; John 16:33). A separate interpretation of the Hebrew implies that while evil people hate a "blameless" man, an "upright" person will seek out the blameless one's counsel.

The violence evil pours out on goodness is seen in many biblical examples. Righteous prophets were threatened and murdered by Ahab and Jezebel (1 Kings 18:4, 13). King Herod gave the command to kill innocent Jewish infants in his effort to target an infant Jesus Christ (Matthew 2:16). A different Herod killed the apostle James (Acts 12:1–2). History records the persecution of Christians throughout the world. The most obvious example of "bloodthirstiness of the wicked" is the crucifixion of the blameless Savior (John 18:38; 19:12–16; 1 Peter 3:18).

Proverbs 29:1–11 begins with an especially dire warning. Solomon (Proverbs 25:1) contrasts righteous government to wicked rulers. The passage also cautions against deception and points out that righteousness is shown in being charitable to the poor. Arguing with fools is pointless, but there is great value in keeping one's temper in check.

Much of this passage refers to negative consequences of unwise attitudes or behavior: stubbornness leads to brokenness. Lack of self-control brings shame. Ignorant, ungodly rulers spread sin and corruption. Pride leads to humiliation. Most of these statements follow the two-part pattern established elsewhere in the book of Proverbs. The final lesson summarizes the deep difference between those who are godly and those who pursue their own desires.

This concludes the collection of Solomon's proverbs which King Hezekiah's men collected (Proverbs 25:1). Like previous passages, chapter 29 contrasts wisdom and folly, the benefits of heeding God's law and the devastating consequences of disobeying it, and the blessings of righteousness compared to the curses of sin.

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.