◄ Proverbs 28:17 ►
A man burdened by bloodguilt will flee into the Pit; let no one support him.
Study Bible
A man burdened by bloodguilt
The phrase "A man burdened by bloodguilt" refers to an individual who has committed murder or has been involved in shedding innocent blood. The Hebrew word for "bloodguilt" is "דָּם" (dam), which signifies the guilt associated with bloodshed. In ancient Israelite society, bloodguilt was a serious offense that required atonement. The burden of such guilt is not only a legal matter but also a spiritual and moral weight that affects the individual's conscience and standing before God. The concept of bloodguilt is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where the sanctity of life is emphasized, and the shedding of innocent blood is strictly condemned (Genesis 9:6).

will be a fugitive until death
The phrase "will be a fugitive until death" indicates the perpetual state of unrest and instability for the person guilty of murder. The Hebrew word for "fugitive" is "נוּד" (nud), which conveys the idea of wandering or being in a state of constant movement without rest. This reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of justice, where a murderer would often be pursued by the avenger of blood, a family member of the victim, as described in Numbers 35:19. The fugitive's life is marked by fear, isolation, and the absence of peace, symbolizing the spiritual and social consequences of unrepented sin.

let no one support him
The directive "let no one support him" serves as a warning to the community not to aid or abet the guilty individual. In the context of ancient Israel, this would mean not providing refuge or assistance to someone who has committed such a grave sin. The community's role in upholding justice is crucial, as it reflects the collective responsibility to maintain righteousness and order. This principle is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to uphold justice and not partake in the sins of others (1 Timothy 5:22). The call to not support the guilty underscores the importance of accountability and the need for repentance and reconciliation with God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Man Burdened by Bloodguilt
This refers to an individual who has committed murder or a serious crime resulting in bloodshed. The term "bloodguilt" indicates a heavy moral and spiritual burden due to the taking of innocent life.

2. Fugitive
The person described is in a state of constant flight, unable to find peace or rest due to the weight of their guilt. This reflects the inner turmoil and external consequences of their actions.

3. Death
Represents the inevitable end of the fugitive's journey. It signifies both physical death and the spiritual consequences of unrepented sin.
Teaching Points
The Weight of Sin
Sin, especially serious offenses like murder, carries a heavy burden that affects the sinner's conscience and life. It is crucial to understand the gravity of sin and its consequences.

The Need for Repentance
True repentance is necessary to find peace and forgiveness. Without it, the burden of guilt remains, leading to a life of unrest.

Justice and Mercy
While justice demands accountability for sin, God's mercy offers forgiveness to those who genuinely repent. Believers are called to uphold justice while extending grace.

Avoiding Complicity
The instruction to not support a person burdened by bloodguilt emphasizes the importance of not enabling sin. Christians should encourage repentance and accountability.

The Role of Community
The community plays a role in addressing sin and supporting individuals in their journey toward repentance and restoration.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the concept of bloodguilt in Proverbs 28:17 relate to the account of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4?

2. In what ways can unrepented sin lead to a life of unrest and turmoil, as described in this proverb?

3. How can believers balance the call to justice with the need to extend mercy and forgiveness?

4. What practical steps can a Christian community take to support someone burdened by guilt while encouraging repentance?

5. How does the teaching in Proverbs 28:17 challenge us to examine our own lives and relationships with others who may be struggling with guilt?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 4:10-12
The account of Cain, who becomes a fugitive after murdering Abel, illustrates the concept of being burdened by bloodguilt and the resulting restlessness.

Psalm 51:14
David's plea for deliverance from bloodguilt after his sin with Bathsheba highlights the need for repentance and God's mercy.

Numbers 35:33
This passage discusses the defilement of the land by bloodshed and the necessity of justice, reinforcing the seriousness of bloodguilt.
Sermons
The Source of Disturbance and the Secret of SecurityW. Clarkson Proverbs 28:1, 13, 25
Hidden ManhoodW. Clarkson Proverbs 28:12, 28
Judgments on TransgressorsE. Johnson Proverbs 28:17-22
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Blood, Burdened, Cause, Death, Flee, Fleeth, Flight, Fugitive, Guilt, Hasten, Hold, Human, Laden, Man's, Murder, None, Oppressed, Pit, Soul, Stay, Steps, Support, Taketh, Till, Tormented, Underworld, Violence
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 28:17

     5040   murder
     5319   fugitives
     6174   guilt, human aspects
     6227   regret

Library
Two Coverings and Two Consequences
A Sermon (No. 3500) by C. H. Spurgeon, April 4th, 1875, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. Published February 24th, 1916. "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper."--Proverbs 28:13. "Thou Hast covered all their sins."--Psalm 85:2. In these two texts we have man's covering, which is worthless and culpable, and God's covering, which is profitable and worthy of all acceptation. No sooner had man disobeyed his Maker's will in the garden of Eden than he discovered to his surprise and dismay …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

The Right Kind of Fear
A Sermon (No. 2971) published on Thursday, January 18th, 1906, delivered by C.H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington on Thursday evening, September 2nd, 1876. "Happy is the man that feareth alway."--Proverbs 28:14. But did not John say that "fear hath torment?" Then how can he be happy who hath fear, and especially he who hath it always. Did not John also say that "perfect love casteth out fear?" How is it then that he is happy in whom love is not made perfect, if so be that the fear …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

He Does Battle for the Faith; He Restores Peace among those who were at Variance; He Takes in Hand to Build a Stone Church.
57. (32). There was a certain clerk in Lismore whose life, as it is said, was good, but his faith not so. He was a man of some knowledge in his own eyes, and dared to say that in the Eucharist there is only a sacrament and not the fact[718] of the sacrament, that is, mere sanctification and not the truth of the Body. On this subject he was often addressed by Malachy in secret, but in vain; and finally he was called before a public assembly, the laity however being excluded, in order that if it were …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh

"If we Confess Our Sins, He is Faithful and Just to Forgive us Our Sins",
1 John i. 9.--"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins", &c. The current of sin dries not up, but runs constantly while we are in this life. It is true, it is much diminished in a believer, and it runs not in such an universal flood over the whole man as it is in the unbeliever. Yet there is a living spring of sin within the godly, which is never ceasing to drop out pollution and defilement, either upon their whole persons, or, at least, to intermingle it with their …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

"When Solomon was Old. "
"It came to pass when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other Gods." 1 KINGS xi. 4. Who could have predicted that this would come to pass? And yet it is often so, for it is still true that NO AMOUNT OF KNOWLEDGE WILL SAVE FROM BACKSLIDING THOSE WHO REFUSE TO LISTEN TO GOD. We learn from verse 10 that God had taken pains to save Solomon from idolatry, (see 1 Kings vi. 12, and xi. 6). But what good is it for even God to try to save a man who will have his own way? And …
Thomas Champness—Broken Bread

Letter xxiv (Circa A. D. 1126) to Oger, Regular Canon
To Oger, Regular Canon [34] Bernard blames him for his resignation of his pastoral charge, although made from the love of a calm and pious life. None the less, he instructs him how, after becoming a private person, he ought to live in community. To Brother Oger, the Canon, Brother Bernard, monk but sinner, wishes that he may walk worthily of God even to the end, and embraces him with the fullest affection. 1. If I seem to have been too slow in replying to your letter, ascribe it to my not having …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Epistle xxv. To Gregoria.
To Gregoria. Gregory to Gregoria, Lady of the Bed-chamber (cubiculariæ) to Augusta. I have received the longed for letters of your Sweetness, in which you have been at pains all through to accuse yourself of a multitude of sins: but I know that you fervently love the Almighty Lord, and I trust in His mercy that the sentence which was pronounced with regard to a certain holy woman proceeds from the mouth of the Truth with regard to you: Her sins, which are many, are forgiven her, for she loved …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

"And the Life. " How Christ is the Life.
This, as the former, being spoken indefinitely, may be universally taken, as relating both to such as are yet in the state of nature, and to such as are in the state of grace, and so may be considered in reference to both, and ground three points of truth, both in reference to the one, and in reference to the other; to wit, 1. That our case is such as we stand in need of his help, as being the Life. 2. That no other way but by him, can we get that supply of life, which we stand in need of, for he …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

"And There is None that Calleth Upon Thy Name, that Stirreth up Himself to Take Hold on Thee,"
Isaiah lxiv. 7.--"And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold on thee," &c. They go on in the confession of their sins. Many a man hath soon done with that a general notion of sin is the highest advancement in repentance that many attain to. You may see here sin and judgment mixed in thorough other(315) in their complaint. They do not so fix their eyes upon their desolate estate of captivity, as to forget their provocations. Many a man would spend more affection, …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

How to be Admonished are those who Give Away what is their Own, and those who Seize what Belongs to Others.
(Admonition 21.) Differently to be admonished are those who already give compassionately of their own, and those who still would fain seize even what belongs to others. For those who already give compassionately of their own are to be admonished not to lift themselves up in swelling thought above those to whom they impart earthly things; not to esteem themselves better than others because they see others to be supported by them. For the Lord of an earthly household, in distributing the ranks and …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

The Authority and Utility of the Scriptures
2 Tim. iii. 16.--"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." We told you that there was nothing more necessary to know than what our end is, and what the way is that leads to that end. We see the most part of men walking at random,--running an uncertain race,--because they do not propose unto themselves a certain scope to aim at, and whither to direct their whole course. According to men's particular …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Adoption
'As many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.' John 1:12. Having spoken of the great points of faith and justification, we come next to adoption. The qualification of the persons is, As many as received him.' Receiving is put for believing, as is clear by the last words, to them that believe in his name.' The specification of the privilege is, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.' The Greek word for power, exousia, signifies …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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