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

PROVERBS 1:11KJV
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Proverbs 1:11 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 1:11 mean?

Proverbs 1:11 describes a situation where a group invites someone to join them in ambushing innocent people, planning violence against those who have done nothing wrong. The verse warns about being enticed by others to do harm for no good reason.

In this part of Proverbs, a father is speaking to his child, warning about the dangers of falling in with the wrong crowd. The verse uses strong language to show how some people may secretly plot against the innocent, highlighting the seriousness of such temptation and the need to resist it.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 1:11

  • "wait" (אֲרֹבָה, ’arovah, from H693): This word often means to lie in ambush, suggesting a hidden, deliberate plan to harm. It emphasizes the sneaky and premeditated nature of the violence being discussed.
  • "blood" (דָּם, dam, from H1818): The Hebrew word here points directly to violence that could lead to death or serious injury, making clear that the intent is not just robbery or mischief, but potentially murder.
  • "lurk" (צָפַן, tsafan, from H6845): This word means to hide or conceal oneself, again stressing the secretive, underhanded aspect of the plan.
  • "innocent" (נָקִי, naqi, from H5355): The Hebrew term means someone who is guiltless or blameless, underlining that the intended victims have done nothing to deserve harm.
  • "cause" (חִנָּם, hinnam, from H2600): This word means "without reason" or "for nothing," showing that there is no justification for the planned attack.

Why Proverbs 1:11 matters

  • Proverbs 1:11 makes clear that the temptation described is not just to mischief, but to serious, even deadly wrongdoing, helping the reader see the gravity of the warning.
  • The verse highlights how peer pressure can lead to actions that are both secretive and deeply unjust, sharpening the sense of moral danger.
  • By focusing on the innocence of the victims and the lack of any cause, Proverbs 1:11 sets up a strong contrast between right and wrong, which is a key theme in the opening chapters of Proverbs.