TRV
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Proverbs 1:10–19. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
Here Solomon gives another general rule to young people, in order to their finding out, and keeping in, the paths of wisdom, and that is to take heed of the snare of bad company. David's psalms begin with this caution, and so do Solomon's proverbs; for nothing is more destructive, both to a lively devotion and to a regular conversation (Pro 1:10): "My son, whom I love, and have a tender concern for, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not." This is good advice for parents to give their children when they send them abroad into the world; it is the same that St. Peter gave to his new converts, (Act 2:40), Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Observe, 1. How industrious wicked people are to seduce others into the paths of the destroyer: they will entice. Sinners love company in sin; the angels that fell were tempters almost as soon as they were sinners. They do not threaten or argue, but entice with flattery and fair speech; with a bait they draw the unwary young man to the hook. But they mistake if they think that by bringing others to partake with them in their guilt, and to be bound, as it were, in the bond with them, they shall have the less to pay themselves; for they will have so much the more to answer for. 2. How cautious young people should be that they be not seduced by them: "Consent thou not; and then, though they entice thee, they cannot force thee. Do not say as they say, nor do as they do or would have thee to do; have no fellowship with them." To enforce this caution,
I.He represents the fallacious reasonings which sinners use in their enticements, and the arts of wheedling which they have for the beguiling of unstable souls. He specifies highwaymen, who do what they can to draw others into their gang, Pro 1:11-14. See here what they would have the young man to do: "Come with us (Pro 1:11); let us have thy company." At first they pretend to ask no more; but the courtship rises higher (Pro 1:14): "Cast in thy lot among us; come in partner with us, join thy force to ours, and let us resolve to live and die together: thou shalt fare as we fare; and let us all have one purse, that what we get together we may spend merrily together," for that is it they aim it [at?]. Two unreasonable insatiable lusts they propose to themselves the gratification of, and therewith entice their pray into the snare: - 1. Their cruelty. They thirst after blood, and hate those that are innocent and never gave them any provocation, because by their honesty and industry they shame and condemn them: "Let us therefore lay wait for their blood, and lurk privily for them; they are conscious to themselves of no crime and consequently apprehensive of no danger, but travel unarmed; therefore we shall make the more easy prey of them. And, O how sweet it will be to swallow them up alive!" Pro 1:12. These bloody men would do this as greedily as the hungry lion devours the lamb. If it be objected, "The remains of the murdered will betray the murderers;" they answer, "No danger of that; we will swallow them whole as those that are buried." Who could imagine that human nature should degenerate so far that it should ever be a pleasure to one man to destroy another! 2. Their covetousness. They hope to get a good booty by it (Pro 1:13): "We shall find all precious substance by following this trade. What though we venture our necks by it? we shall fill our houses with spoil." See here, (1.) The idea they have of worldly wealth. They call it precious substance; whereas it is neither substance nor precious; it is a shadow; it is vanity, especially that which is got by robbery, Psa 62:10. It is as that which is not, which will give a man no solid satisfaction. It is cheap, it is common, yet, in their account, it is precious, and therefore they will hazard their lives, and perhaps their souls, in pursuit of it. It is the ruining mistake of thousands that they over-value the wealth of this world and look on it as precious substance. (2.) The abundance of it which they promise themselves: We shall fill our houses with it. Those who trade with sin promise themselves mighty bargains, and that it will turn to a vast account (All this will I give thee, says the tempter); but they only dream that they eat; the housefuls dwindle into scarcely a handful, like the grass on the house-tops.
II.He shows the perniciousness of these ways, as a reason why we should dread them (Pro 1:15):
"My son, walk not thou in the way with them; do not associate with them; get, and keep, as far off from them as thou canst; refrain thy foot from their path; do not take example by them, not do as they do." Such is the corruption of our nature that our foot is very prone to step into the path of sin, so that we must use necessary violence upon ourselves to refrain our foot from it, and check ourselves if at any time we take the least step towards it. Consider,
1.How pernicious their way is in its own nature (Pro 1:16): Their feet run to evil, to that which is displeasing to God and hurtful to mankind, for they make haste to shed blood. Note, The way of sin is down-hill; men not only cannot stop themselves, but, the longer they continue in it, the faster they run, and make haste in it, as if they were afraid they should not do mischief enough and were resolved to lose no time. They said they would proceed leisurely (Let us lay wait for blood, Pro 1:11), but thou wilt find they are all in haste, so much has Satan filled their hearts.
2.How pernicious the consequences of it will be. They are plainly told that this wicked way will certainly end in their own destruction, and yet they persist in it. Herein,
(1.)They are like the silly bird, that sees the net spread to take her, and yet it is in vain; she is decoyed into it by the bait, and will not take the warning which her own eyes gave her, Pro 1:17. But we think ourselves of more value than many sparrows, and therefore should have more wit, and act with more caution. God has made us wiser than the fowls of heaven (Job 35:11), and shall we then be as stupid as they?
(2.)They are worse than the birds, and have not the sense which we sometimes perceive them to have; for the fowler knows it is in vain to lay his snare in the sight of the bird, and therefore he has arts to conceal it. But the sinner sees ruin at the end of his way; the murderer, the thief, see the jail and the gallows before them, nay, they may see hell before them; their watchmen tell them they shall surely die, but it is to no purpose; they rush into sin, and rush on in it, like the horse into the battle. For really the stone they roll will turn upon themselves, Pro 1:18, Pro 1:19. They lay wait, and lurk privily, for the blood and lives of others, but it will prove, contrary to their intention, to be for their own blood, their own lives; they will come, at length, to a shameful end; and, if they escape the sword of the magistrate, yet there is a divine Nemesis that pursues them. Vengeance suffers them not to live. Their greediness of gain hurries them upon those practices which will not suffer them to live out half their days, but will cut off the number of their months in the midst. They have little reason to be proud of their property in that which takes away the life of the owners and then passes to other masters; and what is a man profited, though he gain the world, if he lose his life? For then he can enjoy the world no longer; much less if he lose his soul, and that be drowned in destruction and perdition, as multitudes are by the love of money.
Now, though Solomon specifies only the temptation to rob on the highway, yet he intends hereby to warn us against all other evils which sinners entice men to. Such are the ways of the drunkards and unclean; they are indulging themselves in those pleasures which tend to their ruin both here and for ever; and therefore consent not to them.
Historical interpretation
Four Centuries of Reception
4 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
It is not fair to be too hasty in casting out an offender but slow in receiving him when he returns; to be forward in cutting off but unmerciful when he is sorrowful and ought to be healed. For of such as these speaks the divine Scripture: “Their feet run to mischief; they are hasty to shed blood.” … Now the way of peace is our Savior Jesus Christ, who has taught us, saying, “Forgive, and you shall be forgiven. Give, and it shall be given to you,” that is, give remission of sins, and your offenses shall be forgiven you. .
It is good for the … feet … that they be not swift to shed blood or to run to evil, but that they be prompted to run to the gospel and the prize of the high calling, and to receive Christ who washes and cleanses them.
It is not fair to be too hasty in casting out an offender but slow in receiving him when he returns; to be forward in cutting off but unmerciful when he is sorrowful and ought to be healed. For of such as these speaks the divine Scripture: “Their feet run to mischief; they are hasty to shed blood.” … Now the way of peace is our Savior Jesus Christ, who has taught us, saying, “Forgive, and you shall be forgiven. Give, and it shall be given to you,” that is, give remission of sins, and your offenses shall be forgiven you.
"For their feet run to evil," etc. They hasten not only to the evil they work temporarily, but also to the evil they will suffer perpetually, as often as they hurry to commit murder or some other crime. For as much as they are led to commit a crime, so much they approach to endure the punishment for the crime. These things can be especially understood of the plotters against our Savior. However, the following verse is generally inserted about his faithful who equally endure the malice of the wicked.
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Summary
Proverbs 1:16 serves as a stark and urgent warning, vividly portraying the proactive and eager nature of those committed to evil. It describes their swift and intentional pursuit of destructive ends, particularly the shedding of innocent blood, highlighting a profound disregard for life and justice. This proverb underscores the purposeful and unhesitating manner in which the wicked pursue their malicious objectives, emphasizing the inherent danger of their path.
Context
Literary Context
Proverbs 1:16 is nestled within the opening section of the Book of Proverbs, specifically within a father's urgent admonition to his son (Proverbs 1:8-19) to shun the path of sinners. The preceding verses introduce the insidious temptation from a predatory group that lies in wait, promising illicit gain through violence and ambush. Verse 16 functions as a vivid exposition of the character and actions of these wicked individuals, detailing their eagerness and readiness for destructive acts. This proverb sharply contrasts the "way of the wicked" with the "way of wisdom" that the father implores his son to embrace throughout the entire book. The broader narrative of Proverbs consistently presents a binary choice between these two paths, each leading to vastly different destinies, with the consequences of following the wicked explicitly outlined in Proverbs 1:18-19.
Historical & Cultural Context
Originating from ancient Israel, the Book of Proverbs is deeply embedded in the wisdom traditions prevalent across the Near East. In this cultural setting, paternal instruction was a foundational method of moral, ethical, and practical education, preparing young men for responsible life within the community. The dangers depicted in this verse—banditry, ambush, and the shedding of blood for ill-gotten gain—were very real threats in ancient societies, where formal justice systems could be less developed and travel was often perilous. The emphasis on avoiding "bad company" reflects a profound understanding of the formative power of association in a communal society. The imagery of "feet" and "running" would have resonated strongly in a world where physical movement and direct action were commonplace, powerfully illustrating the tangible and immediate consequences of moral choices.
Key Themes
Proverbs 1:16 significantly contributes to several overarching themes within the book. Firstly, it highlights the Eagerness for Evil, demonstrating that wickedness is not a passive state but an active, enthusiastic, and often premeditated pursuit. The vivid imagery of "running" and "making haste" underscores a proactive desire for destructive ends. Secondly, the verse emphasizes Intentional Violence, specifically the readiness to "shed blood," which is a common biblical idiom for murder or severe physical harm. This reveals a chilling disregard for human life and a perversion of justice, contrasting with God's valuing of human life as seen in Genesis 9:6. Thirdly, while not explicitly stated within this verse, its placement within the broader warning against dangerous associations (as seen in Proverbs 1:10-15) implicitly underscores the Corrupting Influence of Association. Joining such individuals inevitably leads to participation in their swift descent into wickedness and its dire, often violent, outcomes, a theme echoed throughout the wisdom literature, such as in Psalm 1:1.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This term refers to the physical appendage used for walking, but here it functions metonymically to represent the entire person's chosen course of action or their very steps. In this context, "their feet run" signifies the deliberate, intentional, and active movement of the wicked towards their destructive goals, indicating that their whole being is oriented towards evil.
A primitive root denoting rapid movement, often with purpose or urgency. When coupled with "to evil," it implies an eager, proactive, and even zealous pursuit of wrongdoing. It suggests a deliberate and unhesitating motion towards their destructive goals, rather than an accidental stumble into sin. This word emphasizes the speed and eagerness with which they engage in harmful acts.
This broad term encompasses badness, wickedness, moral depravity, and the resulting harm, calamity, or mischief. In this verse, it refers to the malevolent nature of the wicked's intentions and the destructive outcomes of their actions. Their "running to evil" means they are actively seeking to inflict harm, cause distress, and engage in morally corrupt behavior.
This word reinforces the idea of speed and urgency, meaning to hurry, be prompt, or even be carried headlong. When used in conjunction with "to shed blood," it emphasizes the swiftness and readiness with which the wicked commit violent acts. There is no hesitation or deliberation; rather, an immediate inclination to fulfill their harmful intentions.
A primitive root meaning to spill forth, pour out, or cast. In the context of "shed blood," it directly refers to the act of taking life, indicating violent and often fatal action. It highlights the deliberate and decisive nature of their destructive acts.
This term refers to the vital fluid, that which when shed causes death. In biblical idiom, "shedding blood" is a direct reference to murder or severe physical violence. The use of this word here underscores the ultimate, fatal outcome of the wicked's eager pursuit of evil, highlighting the grave consequences and the complete disregard for human life. Figuratively, it denotes bloodshed and guilt.
Verse Breakdown
"For their feet run to evil"
This clause vividly portrays the active and intentional nature of the wicked's pursuit of wrongdoing. The "feet" represent the person's entire being and their chosen course of action, indicating that their very steps are directed towards harmful and morally corrupt ends. The verb "run" conveys speed, eagerness, and a lack of hesitation, suggesting that they are not merely tempted by evil but are actively and quickly moving towards it. "Evil" here encompasses not just moral depravity but also the resulting harm and calamity they inflict.
"and make haste to shed blood"
This second clause intensifies the first, specifying the ultimate and most grievous form of evil they pursue: violence and murder. "Make haste" reiterates the urgency and readiness, implying a lack of remorse or restraint. "To shed blood" is a chillingly direct idiom for taking a life or committing severe physical violence. This phrase reveals the destructive culmination of their evil desires, showing that their promptness in wrongdoing leads directly to fatal consequences for others.
Literary Devices
Proverbs 1:16 employs several potent Literary Devices to convey its urgent warning. The most prominent is Parallelism, specifically synonymous parallelism, where the second clause ("and make haste to shed blood") reinforces and intensifies the meaning of the first ("For their feet run to evil"). Both phrases describe the eager and swift movement towards wickedness, with the second clause specifying the ultimate, violent outcome of their actions. Metonymy is also present in the phrase "their feet run," where "feet" stand in for the entire person or their deliberate actions, emphasizing the physical and intentional nature of their pursuit of evil. Furthermore, the verse uses vivid Imagery, painting a clear and disturbing picture of individuals eagerly rushing towards destructive acts, culminating in the horrific act of shedding blood. This creates a strong visual and emotional impact, underscoring the severity of the warning and the dire consequences of such a path.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Proverbs 1:16 profoundly articulates the theological truth that sin is not merely a passive state but an active, often zealous, pursuit. It reveals the heart of the wicked as one that is not only inclined towards evil but passionately committed to its execution, culminating in violence and the disregard for human life. This verse aligns with the broader biblical understanding of the depravity of the unregenerate heart, which, left to its own devices, gravitates towards rebellion against God and harm to others. It highlights the stark contrast between the path of wisdom, which leads to life and righteousness, and the path of folly, which inevitably leads to destruction and bloodshed. The Lord's abhorrence of violence and the shedding of innocent blood is a consistent theme throughout Scripture, underscoring the gravity of the actions described here.
Reflection and Application
Proverbs 1:16 serves as a timeless and urgent warning for believers across all generations, calling us to profound discernment regarding our associations and the choices we make. It teaches us that evil is often pursued with a chilling eagerness and leads to tangible, destructive outcomes, particularly violence and injustice. Therefore, it is critically important to be highly selective about who we allow to influence our lives, understanding that "bad company corrupts good character" (1 Corinthians 15:33). Just as the wicked are eager to run to evil, believers are called to proactively direct their steps towards righteousness, peace, and good works. This requires a conscious guarding of our hearts and minds, ensuring that our desires and actions align with God's will, rather than being drawn into the swift currents of sin and destruction. We are encouraged to choose the path of wisdom, which leads to life and flourishing, over the path of folly, which inevitably leads to ruin and spiritual death.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "their feet run to evil" specifically mean?
This phrase uses metonymy, where "feet" represent the entire person and their actions. It means that the wicked are not merely passive recipients of temptation but are actively and eagerly pursuing evil. Their very steps are directed towards wrongdoing, indicating a proactive and purposeful commitment to immoral and destructive behavior. It suggests a swift and unhesitating movement towards sin, rather than a reluctant or accidental stumble, highlighting their deliberate intent to cause harm.
Is "shed blood" only about physical murder, or does it have a broader meaning?
While "shed blood" most literally refers to physical murder, in a broader biblical context, it can also encompass any act of severe violence, injustice, or oppression that leads to the destruction or harm of others, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. It speaks to a complete disregard for human life and dignity. The phrase highlights the ultimate, destructive outcome of the wicked's eager pursuit of evil, emphasizing the gravity of their intentions and the harm they inflict, which ultimately leads to guilt and condemnation, as seen in the divine decree against murder in Genesis 9:6.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Proverbs 1:16, a stark warning against the eager pursuit of evil and violence, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the profound contrast between the way of the world and the way of the Savior. While the wicked's feet run to shed innocent blood, Jesus' feet ran to bring life, healing, and the good news of salvation, culminating in His own innocent blood being shed—not to inflict harm, but to redeem it. The prophet Isaiah spoke of the beautiful feet of those who bring good news (Isaiah 52:7), a prophecy profoundly fulfilled in Christ, whose life was a constant movement towards righteousness and reconciliation. Unlike those who make haste to destroy, Jesus "made haste" to fulfill His Father's will, even to the point of the cross, where His blood was poured out as the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of humanity (Hebrews 9:22). This shedding of blood was not for evil gain, but for eternal life, demonstrating God's perfect justice and boundless love. Thus, Proverbs 1:16 not only warns against the destructive path of the wicked but also implicitly points to the redemptive path of Christ, whose self-sacrificial act stands in stark opposition to the world's violence, offering the only true escape from the consequences of sin and the power of evil (Colossians 1:13-14).