For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.

PROVERBS 1:16KJV
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Proverbs 1:16 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 1:16 mean?

Proverbs 1:16 describes people who are eager to commit serious harm. In the KJV, their rush toward evil and bloodshed shows that violence is part of the path they have chosen, not an accidental result of joining their company.

A father speaks to his son, using the image of running feet to picture how quickly these people move toward wrongdoing. Following the warning in verse 15, the image gives a reason for keeping away from their path.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 1:16

  • “evil” — רַע (raʿ): This word can refer to what is bad, harmful, or wicked. Here, the mention of shedding blood gives a concrete picture of the harm in view.
  • “blood” — דָּם (dam): This word means blood. In the phrase “shed blood,” it points to violent injury or killing, rather than a minor act of dishonesty.

Why Proverbs 1:16 matters

  • The verse gives a reason to distrust the invitation earlier in the passage. The group offers a share in stolen goods, but “shed blood” exposes the violence behind that offer (verses 11–14).
  • The warning concerns the group’s conduct as well as its destination. “Run” and “make haste” portray people who are willing participants in the harm.
  • The image of a path connects the warning to the result that follows. In verse 18, the people who lie in wait for others are described as lying in wait for their own lives.

Where else these words appear

“haste” Hebrew H4116 · used in 60 verses

  • Genesis 18:6 And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth.
  • Judges 9:48 And Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid it on his shoulder, and said unto the people that were with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done.
  • 2 Chronicles 24:5 And he gathered together the priests and the Levites, and said to them, Go out unto the cities of Judah, and gather of all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year, and see that ye hasten the matter. Howbeit the Levites hastened it not.

“run” Hebrew H7323 · used in 92 verses

  • Genesis 18:2 And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,
  • 2 Samuel 18:22 Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi. And Joab said, Wherefore wilt thou run, my son, seeing that thou hast no tidings ready?
  • Esther 8:14 So the posts that rode upon mules and camels went out, being hastened and pressed on by the king's commandment. And the decree was given at Shushan the palace.

“shed” Hebrew H8210 · used in 111 verses

  • Genesis 9:6 Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
  • Job 30:16 And now my soul is poured out upon me; the days of affliction have taken hold upon me.
  • Ezekiel 16:36 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thy filthiness was poured out, and thy nakedness discovered through thy whoredoms with thy lovers, and with all the idols of thy abominations, and by the blood of thy children, which thou didst give unto them;