A partner to a thief hates his own soul; he receives the oath, but does not testify. A partner to a thiefThe Hebrew word for "partner" here is "חָבֵר" (chaver), which implies a close association or companionship. In the context of ancient Israel, partnerships were often formed for mutual benefit, but this verse warns against alliances with those who engage in wrongdoing. The term "thief" (גַּנָּב, ganav) refers to someone who takes what is not theirs, violating the commandment against stealing. This phrase highlights the moral and spiritual danger of aligning oneself with those who live in sin, as it reflects a compromise of one's values and integrity. hates his own soul
The Hebrew word for "hates" is "שָׂנֵא" (sane), which conveys a strong aversion or detestation. The "soul" (נֶפֶשׁ, nephesh) in Hebrew thought encompasses one's life, essence, and spiritual being. By partnering with a thief, an individual demonstrates a disregard for their own moral and spiritual well-being. This phrase serves as a stark reminder that our choices and associations have profound implications for our inner life and eternal destiny. he receives the oath
The phrase "receives the oath" suggests a scenario where the individual is aware of a crime or wrongdoing but chooses to remain silent. In ancient Israel, oaths were serious commitments, often invoking God's name as a witness to one's truthfulness. The Hebrew word for "oath" is "אָלָה" (alah), which can also imply a curse if the oath is broken. This highlights the gravity of the situation, as the person is complicit in the sin by their silence, thus bearing the weight of the oath's consequences. but will not testify
The act of testifying, or bearing witness, is crucial in maintaining justice and truth. The Hebrew word for "testify" is "עָנָה" (anah), which means to respond or give evidence. In the context of the legal system in ancient Israel, failing to testify when one has knowledge of a crime was a serious offense, as it undermined justice and allowed sin to flourish. This phrase underscores the moral responsibility to speak the truth and uphold righteousness, even when it is difficult or inconvenient. Persons / Places / Events 1. Partner to a ThiefThis refers to someone who is complicit in theft, either by direct involvement or by association. The term implies a shared responsibility in wrongdoing. 2. ThiefA person who steals, violating the commandment against stealing. In the context of Proverbs, a thief represents those who act unjustly and deceitfully. 3. SoulIn Hebrew, the word "nephesh" is used, which can mean life, self, or soul. It signifies the essence of a person, their inner being. 4. OathA solemn promise or declaration, often invoking a divine witness. In ancient Israel, oaths were serious commitments that required truthfulness. 5. TestifyTo bear witness or give evidence. In the context of this verse, it refers to the moral obligation to speak the truth, especially in legal or communal settings. Teaching Points Moral IntegrityAssociating with wrongdoing, even passively, compromises one's moral integrity. Believers are called to uphold truth and righteousness in all associations. Consequences of ComplicityBeing complicit in sin, such as theft, harms one's own soul. It leads to spiritual and often legal consequences, emphasizing the importance of choosing one's associations wisely. The Importance of TruthfulnessThe failure to testify truthfully when required is a serious moral failing. Christians are called to be people of truth, reflecting God's character. Guarding the SoulProtecting one's soul involves making choices that align with God's commandments. This includes avoiding partnerships that lead to sin. Courage to Stand for RighteousnessIt takes courage to stand against wrongdoing, especially when it involves those we know. Believers are encouraged to seek God's strength to uphold justice and truth. Bible Study Questions 1. How does being a "partner to a thief" reflect on one's character and relationship with God? 2. In what ways can we ensure that our associations and partnerships align with biblical principles? 3. How does the concept of "hating one's own soul" manifest in modern contexts of complicity in wrongdoing? 4. What are some practical steps we can take to ensure we are truthful in all our dealings, especially when under oath or in positions of responsibility? 5. How can we draw strength from Scripture to stand against peer pressure or societal norms that encourage complicity in sin? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 20:15The commandment "You shall not steal" directly relates to the actions of the thief and his partner, highlighting the moral law against theft. Leviticus 5:1This verse discusses the responsibility to testify when one has witnessed wrongdoing, connecting to the idea of receiving an oath but failing to testify. Matthew 6:24Jesus teaches about serving two masters, which can relate to the divided loyalty of a partner to a thief, who cannot serve both righteousness and sin. Ephesians 4:28Paul instructs believers to stop stealing and work honestly, which contrasts with the behavior of a partner to a thief. People SolomonPlaces JerusalemTopics Accomplice, Adjuration, Bewrayeth, Curse, Cursing, Dare, Dares, Declareth, Discloses, Discloseth, Enemy, Execration, Hate, Hates, Hateth, Hating, Heareth, Hears, Nothing, Oath, Partner, Says, Shareth, Sharing, Soul, Takes, Telleth, Tells, Testify, Thief, UtterethDictionary of Bible Themes Proverbs 29:24 5555 stealing
5623 witnesses, legal Library An Obscured vision
(Preached at the opening of the Winona Lake Bible Conference.) TEXT: "Where there is no vision, the people perish."--Proverbs 29:18. It is not altogether an easy matter to secure a text for such an occasion as this; not because the texts are so few in number but rather because they are so many, for one has only to turn over the pages of the Bible in the most casual way to find them facing him at every reading. Feeling the need of advice for such a time as this, I asked a number of my friends who …
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas IscariotTwo Ancient Proverbs
A Sermon (No. 3080) Published on Thursday, February 20th, 1908. Delivered by C.H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington on Lord's Day evening, March 29th, 1874. "The fear of man bringeth a snare; but whoso puteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe." --Proverbs 29:25. We have two ancient proverbs here; each of them is true as a separate proverb, and they are equally true when linked together. The independent proposition, that the fear of man bringeth a snare, is a truth which experience …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs The Baptismal Covenant Can be Kept Unbroken. Aim and Responsibility of Parents.
We have gone "to the Law and to the Testimony" to find out what the nature and benefits of Baptism are. We have gathered out of the Word all the principal passages bearing on this subject. We have grouped them together, and studied them side by side. We have noticed that their sense is uniform, clear, and strong. Unless we are willing to throw aside all sound principles of interpretation, we can extract from the words of inspiration only one meaning, and that is that the baptized child is, by virtue …
G. H. Gerberding—The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church But Sometimes a Peril to Eternal Salvation Itself is Put Forth against Us...
40. But sometimes a peril to eternal salvation itself is put forth against us; [2466] which peril, they cry out, we by telling a lie, if otherwise it cannot be, must ward off. As, for instance, if a person who is to be baptized be in the power of impious and infidel men, and cannot be got at that he may be washed with the laver of regeneration, but by deceiving his keepers with a lie. From this most invidious cry, by which we are compelled, not for a man's wealth or honors in this world which are …
St. Augustine—Against Lying Little Sarah Howley.
MISS SARAH HOWLEY, when she was between eight and nine years old, was carried by her friends to hear a sermon, where the minister preached upon Matt. xi, 30, "My yoke is easy, and my burden is light;" in the applying of which scripture the child was mightily awakened, and made deeply sensible of the condition of her soul, and her need of Christ: she wept bitterly to think what a case she was in; went home, retired into a chamber, and upon her knees she wept and cried to the Lord as well as she could, …
John Wesley—Stories of Boys and Girls Who Loved the Saviour For, Concerning False Witness, which is Set Down in the Ten Commands of The...
36. For, concerning false witness, which is set down in the ten commands of the Law, it can indeed in no wise be contended that love of truth may at heart be preserved, and false witness brought forth to him unto whom the witness is borne. For, when it is said to God only, then it is only in the heart that the truth is to be embraced: but when it is said to man, then must we with the mouth also of the body bring forth truth, because man is not an inspector of the heart. But then, touching the witness …
St. Augustine—On Lying Palm Sunday
Text: Philippians 2, 5-11. 5 Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; 8 and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name; 10 that …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II It Remains Then that we Understand as Concerning those Women...
33. It remains then that we understand as concerning those women, whether in Egypt or in Jericho, that for their humanity and mercy they received a reward, in any wise temporal, which indeed itself, while they wist not of it, should by prophetical signification prefigure somewhat eternal. But whether it be ever right, even for the saving of a man's life, to tell a lie, as it is a question in resolving which even the most learned do weary themselves, it did vastly surpass the capacity of those poor …
St. Augustine—Against Lying What are Evidences of Backsliding in Heart.
1. Manifest formality in religious exercises. A stereotyped, formal way of saying and doing things, that is clearly the result of habit, rather than the outgushing of the religious life. This formality will be emotionless and cold as an iceberg, and will evince a total want of earnestness in the performance of religious duty. In prayer and in religious exercises the backslider in heart will pray or praise, or confess, or give thanks with his lips, so that all can hear him, perhaps, but in such a …
Charles G. Finney—The Backslider in Heart God's Glory the Chief End of Man's Being
Rom. xi. 36.--"Of him and through him, and to him, are all things, to whom be glory for ever." And 1 Cor. x. 31--"Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." All that men have to know, may be comprised under these two heads,--What their end is, and What is the right way to attain to that end? And all that we have to do, is by any means to seek to compass that end. These are the two cardinal points of a man's knowledge and exercise. Quo et qua eundum est,--Whither to go, and what way to go. …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning How the Impatient and the Patient are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 10.) Differently to be admonished are the impatient and the patient. For the impatient are to be told that, while they neglect to bridle their spirit, they are hurried through many steep places of iniquity which they seek not after, inasmuch as fury drives the mind whither desire draws it not, and, when perturbed, it does, not knowing, what it afterwards grieves for when it knows. The impatient are also to be told that, when carried headlong by the impulse of emotion, they act in some …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Humility is the Root of Charity, and Meekness the Fruit of Both. ...
Humility is the root of charity, and meekness the fruit of both. There is no solid and pure ground of love to others, except the rubbish of self-love be first cast out of the soul; and when that superfluity of naughtiness is cast out, then charity hath a solid and deep foundation: "The end of the command is charity out of a pure heart," 1 Tim. i. 5. It is only such a purified heart, cleansed from that poison and contagion of pride and self-estimation, that can send out such a sweet and wholesome …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning How to Make Use of Christ as the Truth, when Error Prevaileth, and the Spirit of Error Carrieth Many Away.
There is a time when the spirit of error is going abroad, and truth is questioned, and many are led away with delusions. For Satan can change himself into an angel of light, and make many great and fairlike pretensions to holiness, and under that pretext usher in untruths, and gain the consent of many unto them; so that in such a time of temptation many are stolen off their feet, and made to depart from the right ways of God, and to embrace error and delusions instead of truth. Now the question is, …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life Characters and Names of Messiah
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. S uch was the triumphant exultation of the Old Testament Church! Their noblest hopes were founded upon the promise of MESSIAH; their most sublime songs were derived from the prospect of His Advent. By faith, which is the substance of things hoped for, they considered the gracious declarations …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 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 Links Proverbs 29:24 NIVProverbs 29:24 NLTProverbs 29:24 ESVProverbs 29:24 NASBProverbs 29:24 KJV
Proverbs 29:24 Commentaries
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