Proverbs 1:17

17 Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.

Proverbs 1:17 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 1:17

Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.
] Or "without cause" ^F25, as the word is rendered in ( Proverbs 1:11 ) ; and so the words are an illustration of the preceding; showing that the blood of innocent persons is shed without cause, no injury being done by them to those that do it, but is shed without any provocation at all; just as the net is spread for the innocent bird, which has done no harm to the fowler that seeks to take it; so Gersom: or else the sense is, that though the net is spread by the fowler even in the sight of the bird, yet it is in vain to the bird, though not to the fowler; it is so intent upon the corn that is spread about, that it takes no notice of the net, and so is caught in it; and thus it is with those men that are bent upon their sinful practices, upon theft and murder, though their ruin and destruction are before their eyes; and they daily see their companions in iniquity come to an untimely end; they know that they are liable to suffer death by the hand of the civil magistrate, and to be followed by the justice and vengeance of God, and suffer eternal punishment; yet take no warning hereby, but rush on to their own ruin, as follows.

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FOOTNOTES:

F25 (Mnh) "sine causa", Vatablus, Mercerus, Gejerus.

Proverbs 1:17 In-Context

15 My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:

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

17 Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.

18 And they lay wait for their [own] blood; they lurk privily for their [own] lives.

19 So [are] the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; [who] taketh away the life of its owners.