Proverbs 29:24

¶ Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth [it] not.

Whoso is partner {H2505} with a thief {H1590} hateth {H8130} his own soul {H5315}: he heareth {H8085} cursing {H423}, and bewrayeth {H5046} it not.

The accomplice of a thief hates himself; he hears himself put under oath but discloses nothing.

A partner to a thief hates his own soul; he receives the oath, but does not testify.

Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul; He heareth the adjuration and uttereth nothing.

Commentary

Proverbs 29:24 delivers a stern warning against complicity in wrongdoing, specifically associating with or protecting a thief. It highlights the severe spiritual and practical consequences for those who enable sin through silence or partnership.

Context

This verse is part of the book of Proverbs, a collection of wisdom sayings primarily attributed to King Solomon. Proverbs often contrasts the path of the righteous with that of the wicked, emphasizing the importance of justice, integrity, and discerning relationships. In ancient Israelite society, theft was a serious offense, often requiring restitution. The concept of "cursing" or "oath" here likely refers to a public adjuration or an oath taken in a legal context, where individuals were bound to reveal truth, and silence under such an oath brought a curse upon them. This underscores the societal expectation of civic duty and honesty.

Key Themes

  • Complicity and Guilt: The verse directly condemns those who become partners with thieves, indicating that one shares in the guilt of the crime, even if not directly participating in the act of stealing. It's a warning against enabling or condoning sin.
  • Self-Destruction: To "hateth his own soul" is a powerful idiom signifying self-harm or bringing ruin upon oneself. By associating with criminals and withholding truth, the individual brings spiritual and potentially legal destruction upon their own life.
  • Silence and Deception: The phrase "he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth [it] not" points to the sin of knowing about a wrong (perhaps even under an oath to reveal truth, as in Leviticus 5:1) yet choosing to remain silent and conceal the crime or the identity of the perpetrator. This silence is an act of betrayal against justice and integrity.
  • Justice and Accountability: The proverb implicitly calls for accountability and the upholding of justice within the community. It suggests that individuals have a responsibility to not only avoid wrongdoing but also to expose it when known.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "hateth his own soul" translates the Hebrew soneh nafsho (שׂוֹנֵא נַפְשׁוֹ), which strongly conveys the idea of bringing harm, ruin, or destruction upon oneself. It's not merely dislike but a destructive outcome. The word "bewrayeth" is an archaic English term meaning "to reveal" or "to expose." The Hebrew behind it, yaggid (יַגִּיד), means "to tell" or "to declare." Thus, "bewrayeth it not" means he fails to report, testify, or disclose the information he possesses about the theft, effectively becoming an accessory after the fact by concealing the crime.

Practical Application

Proverbs 29:24 extends beyond literal theft to any form of complicity in sin or injustice. It teaches us the importance of:

  • Choosing our Associates Wisely: Bad company corrupts good character (1 Corinthians 15:33). We must be discerning about who we align ourselves with, as their actions can impact our own integrity and destiny.
  • Upholding Truth and Justice: We are called to be people of integrity who do not enable or cover up wrongdoing. Silence in the face of injustice can make us complicit.
  • Understanding Spiritual Consequences: Enabling sin, whether by direct participation or by silence, ultimately harms our own spiritual well-being and relationship with God. It's a form of self-inflicted wound.

This proverb serves as a timeless reminder that our actions—and our inactions—have profound consequences, especially when it comes to upholding righteousness and exposing evil.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Leviticus 5:1

    ¶ And if a soul sin, and hear the voice of swearing, and [is] a witness, whether he hath seen or known [of it]; if he do not utter [it], then he shall bear his iniquity.

  • Proverbs 8:36

    But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

  • Psalms 50:18

    When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers.

  • Psalms 50:22

    Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear [you] in pieces, and [there be] none to deliver.

  • Proverbs 1:11

    If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:

  • Proverbs 1:19

    So [are] the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; [which] taketh away the life of the owners thereof.

  • Isaiah 1:23

    Thy princes [are] rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.
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