Haughty eyes
The phrase "haughty eyes" refers to a proud or arrogant look. In Hebrew, the word for "haughty" is "רָמוֹת" (ramot), which conveys a sense of being elevated or exalted. This prideful demeanor is often associated with a heart that is lifted up against God and others. Historically, pride has been a significant issue addressed throughout the Bible, as it leads to a sense of self-sufficiency and a lack of dependence on God. In a conservative Christian perspective, haughty eyes are seen as a direct affront to the humility that Christ exemplified and taught. The eyes are often considered the windows to the soul, and when they are haughty, they reflect an inner attitude of superiority and disdain for others, which is contrary to the Christian call to love and serve.

A lying tongue
The "lying tongue" is a metaphor for deceitful speech. The Hebrew word for "lying" is "שָׁקֶר" (sheqer), which means falsehood or deception. Throughout scripture, truth is highly valued, and lying is condemned as it breaks trust and sows discord among people. In the historical context of the Bible, a person's word was their bond, and integrity in speech was crucial for maintaining social and communal relationships. From a conservative Christian viewpoint, a lying tongue is seen as a tool of the enemy, as Satan is described as the "father of lies" (John 8:44). Christians are called to speak the truth in love, reflecting the character of God, who is truth.

Hands that shed innocent blood
This phrase refers to acts of violence and murder, particularly against those who are undeserving of such treatment. The Hebrew word for "innocent" is "נָקִי" (naqi), meaning blameless or free from guilt. The shedding of innocent blood is a grave sin in the biblical narrative, as life is sacred and created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Historically, the prohibition against murder is one of the Ten Commandments, underscoring its seriousness. In a conservative Christian context, this phrase is a reminder of the sanctity of life and the call to protect and value all human beings. It also points to the ultimate innocent blood shed by Jesus Christ, who, though innocent, was crucified for the sins of humanity, offering redemption and reconciliation with God.

(17) A proud look.--Hateful to God, because rendering men unfit to receive grace. Till they acknowledge their weakness, they will not seek for His strength, and without it they can make no progress in holiness. (Comp. 1Peter 5:5, and Christ's commendation of the "poor in spirit," Matthew 5:3.)

Verse 17. - The enumeration begins with pride. A proud look (Hebrew, eynayim ramoth); literally, haughty or lofty eyes, as in the margin; Vulgate, oculos sublimes; LXX., ὀφθάλμὸς ὑβριστοῦ. It is not merely the look which is meant, but the temper of mind which the look expresses (Wardlaw). The lofty look is the indication of the swelling pride which fills the heart, the mentis elatae tumor, the supreme disdain, grande supercilium, for everything and everybody. Pride is put first, because it is at the bottom of all disobedience and rebellion against God's laws. It is the very opposite of humility, which the apostle, in Ephesians 4:2, mentions as the basis, as it were, of all the virtues. All pride is intended, and the face of the Lord is against this pride. He "resisteth the proud;" he "knoweth them afar off;" he "hath respect unto the lowly;" he "will bring down high looks" (Psalm 18:27); he judgeth those that are high (Job 21:22). It is against this spirit that Job prays Jehovah "to behold every one that is proud, and abase him," and "to look upon every one that is proud, and bring him low" (Job 40:11, 12). The next thing in the enumeration is a lying tongue. Lying is hateful to God, because he is the God of truth. In a concise form the expression, "a lying tongue," represents what has been already said in vers. 12 and 13 of "the wicked man" who "walks with a froward mouth," and whose conduct is made up of deceit. Lying is the wilful perversion of truth, not only by speech, but by any means whatever whereby a false impression is conveyed to the mind. The liar "sticks not at any lies, flatteries, or calumnies" (Patrick). Lying is elsewhere denounced as the subject which excites the Divine displeasure (see Psalm 5:6; Psalm 120:3, 4; Hosea 4:1-3; Revelation 21:8, 27); and in the early Christian Church, in the case of Ananias and Sapphira, it was punished with death. On the subject of lying, see St. Augustine, 'Enchiridion,' c. 18, wherein he says, "Mihi autem videtur peccatum quidem esse omne mendacium." Every lie is a sin. The third thing is hands that shed innocent blood, i.e. a murderous and cruel disposition, which, rather than have its plans frustrated, will imbue the hands with innocent blood, i.e. the blood of those who have done it no injury. The Divine command is, "Thou shall do no murder," and those who break it will find, even if they escape man, that the Lord is "the avenger of blood," and that he "maketh inquisition" for it (cf. ch. 1. and 2, and Isaiah 59:7, which bear a close resemblance to this passage). That the shedding of innocent blood cues for vengeance, and pulls down God's heavy judgments on the murderer, appears in the case of Cain and Abel (Muffet).

Parallel Commentaries ...


haughty
רָ֭מוֹת (rā·mō·wṯ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine plural
Strong's 7311: To be high actively, to rise, raise

eyes,
עֵינַ֣יִם (‘ê·na·yim)
Noun - cd
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

a lying
שָׁ֑קֶר (šā·qer)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8267: Deception, disappointment, falsehood

tongue,
לְשׁ֣וֹן (lə·šō·wn)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 3956: The tongue

hands
וְ֝יָדַ֗יִם (wə·yā·ḏa·yim)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - fd
Strong's 3027: A hand

that shed
שֹׁפְכ֥וֹת (šō·p̄ə·ḵō·wṯ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine plural
Strong's 8210: To spill forth, to expend, to sprawl out

innocent
נָקִֽי׃ (nā·qî)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 5355: Clean, free from, exempt

blood,
דָּם־ (dām-)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1818: Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 6:17 Haughty eyes a lying tongue hands that (Prov. Pro Pr)