Bible/Proverbs/28

Proverbs 28:1

The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

KJV

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The wicked flee when no one pursues; but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

The wicked flee when no man pursues: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

28:2 For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged. by: or, by men of understanding and wisdom shall they likewise be prolonged

What does Proverbs 28:1 mean?

Proverbs 28:1 is a verse in the book of Proverbs, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include רָשָׁע (râshâʻ), נוּס (nûwç), רָדַף (râdaph). It connects to 12 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

Full chapter interlinear →
The
wickedרָשָׁעrâshâʻ/raw-shaw'/H7563morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
fleeנוּסnûwç/noos/H5127to flit, i.e. vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
when
no
man
pursueth:רָדַףrâdaph/raw-daf'/H7291to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively (of time) gone by)
but
the
righteousצַדִּיקtsaddîyq/tsad-deek'/H6662just
are
boldבָּטַחbâṭach/baw-takh'/H982figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure
as
a
lion.כְּפִירkᵉphîyr/kef-eer'/H3715a village (as covered in by walls); also a young lion (perhaps as covered with a mane)

Commentary on Proverbs 28:1

HENRY_FULL · Proverbs 28:1
ways. Guilt in the conscience makes men a terror to themselves, so that they are ready to flee when none pursues; like one that absconds for debt, who thinks every one he meets a bailiff. Though they pretend to be easy, there are secret fears which haunt them wherever they go, so that they fear where no present or imminent danger is, Ps. liii. 5 . Those that have made God their enemy, and know it, cannot but see the whole creation at war with them, and therefore can have no true enjoyment of themselves, no confidence, no courage, but a fearful looking for of judgment. Sin makes men cowards. Degeneres animos timor arguit— Fear argues a degenerate soul. Virgil. Quos diri conscia facti mens habet attonitos— The consciousness of atrocious crimes astonishes and confounds. Juvenal . If they flee when none pursues, what will they do when they shall see God himself pursuing them with his armies? Job xx. 24 ; xv. 24 . See Deut. xxviii. 25 ; Lev. xxvi. 36 . 2. What a holy security and serenity of mind those enjoy who keep conscience void of offence and so keep themselves in the love of God: The righteous are bold as a lion, as a young lion; in the greatest dangers they have a God of almighty power to trust to. Therefore will not we fear though the earth be removed. Whatever difficulties they meet with in the way of their duty, they are not daunted by them. None of those things move me. Hic murus aheneus esto, nil conscire sibi— Be this thy brazen bulwark of defence, Still to preserve thy conscious innocence. Hor. 2 For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged. Note, 1. National sins bring national disorders and the dis

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Exodus 13:8

And thou shalt shew thy son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the LORD did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt.

Exodus 13:9

And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the LORD'S law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt.

Exodus 13:14

And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What is this? that thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage: in: Heb. to morrow

Deuteronomy 6:6

And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

Judges 5:3

Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, even I, will sing unto the LORD; I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel.

Isaiah 12:5

Sing unto the LORD; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth.

Isaiah 12:6

Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee. inhabitant: Heb. inhabitress

Isaiah 42:10

Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof. all: Heb. the fulness thereof

Luke 24:14

And they talked together of all these things which had happened.

Ephesians 5:19

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Revelation 15:3

And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. saints: or, nations, or, ages

Revelation 15:4

Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

Topics

RemorseRighteousnessSaints, Compared ToSin (1)Wicked

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Proverbs 28:1.

1 Kings 8:32

Then hear thou in heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, condemning the wicked, to bring his way upon his head; and justifying the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness.

2 Chronicles 6:23

Then hear thou from heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, by requiting the wicked, by recompensing his way upon his own head; and by justifying the righteous, by giving him according to his righteousness.

2 Samuel 4:11

How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed? shall I not therefore now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth?

Deuteronomy 25:1

If there be a controversy between men, and they come unto judgment, that the judges may judge them; then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked.

Deuteronomy 32:30

How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?

Exodus 23:7

Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.

Exodus 9:27

And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.

Genesis 18:23

And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?

Frequently asked questions

What does Proverbs 28:1 say?

Proverbs 28:1 (King James Version) reads: "The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion."

Is Proverbs 28:1 in the Old or New Testament?

Proverbs 28:1 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Proverbs.

Reflect

As you read Proverbs 28:1, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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