Proverbs 1:11 kjv

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

Proverbs 1:11 nkjv

If they say, "Come with us, Let us lie in wait to shed blood; Let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause;

Proverbs 1:11 niv

If they say, "Come along with us; let's lie in wait for innocent blood, let's ambush some harmless soul;

Proverbs 1:11 esv

If they say, "Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood; let us ambush the innocent without reason;

Proverbs 1:11 nlt

They may say, "Come and join us.
Let's hide and kill someone!
Just for fun, let's ambush the innocent!

Proverbs 1 verses

Proverbs 1 11 Meaning

Proverbs chapter 1, verse 11 describes the deceptive invitation of sinners to a young person, tempting them to participate in acts of violence and ambush for illicit gain. It portrays a calculated, collective effort to harm innocent individuals without any just cause, highlighting the malicious and unjust nature of their proposed actions. The verse serves as a direct warning from a father to his son against succumbing to peer pressure and the lure of quick, ill-gotten wealth that comes at the cost of shedding innocent blood.

Proverbs 1 11 Context

Proverbs chapter 1 begins the book with a stated purpose: to teach wisdom, instruction, understanding, justice, judgment, equity, prudence, knowledge, and discretion. Following this, verses 8-9 present the initial admonition from a father to his son to heed parental instruction, linking wisdom directly to respectful obedience. Verse 10 sets the stage for the specific warning in verse 11 by cautioning the son against the enticement of "sinners."

Historically and culturally, the setting would be ancient Israel, where communal living was prominent but dangers like banditry, revenge killings, or unjust actions by groups (often for gain) were real. Young men, coming of age, would be particularly susceptible to the allure of groups offering companionship, excitement, or a means to quick wealth or status, even if obtained by illicit means. The "seductive invitation" implies a close, relational pressure rather than an overt threat. This warning functions as a foundational lesson against compromising one's moral and spiritual integrity by aligning with those who prioritize gain over righteousness and life.

Proverbs 1 11 Word analysis

• If they say (ki yomru - כִּי יֹאמְרוּ):

  • "If": A conditional clause, indicating a potential scenario. It's not a direct command, but a warning of what might happen, emphasizing vigilance.
  • "they say": Impersonal "they," representing a collective group of sinners, the "companions" of Prov 1:10. This highlights peer pressure and the collective nature of evil plots. The verb is future tense, suggesting an ongoing, anticipated temptation.

• Come with us (leḵa ʾitnu - לְכָה אִתָּנוּ):

  • "Come": Lekha, from halak, meaning "go" or "come." An immediate, inviting imperative, appealing to camaraderie and shared activity.
  • "with us": Suggests inclusion, belonging, and shared venture, a powerful draw for anyone, especially the young. This enticement is social and relational, designed to draw the listener into their circle.

• let us lie in wait for blood (nirba liḍam - נִאׇרְבָה לְדָם):

  • "lie in wait": Nirba, from 'arab, meaning to lie in ambush, hide, or set an ambush. This signifies premeditated action, deceit, and treachery. It's not spontaneous violence but a planned trap.
  • "for blood": Ledom, literally "for blood." "Blood" (dam) in this context directly refers to shedding life, meaning murder or causing violent death. It clarifies the ultimate, destructive purpose of the ambush—not merely theft, but taking life, indicating a high level of wickedness.

• let us ambush the innocent without cause (niṣpena lenāqî ḥinnām - נִצְפְּנָה לְנָקִוּ חִנָּם):

  • "ambush": Nispena, from tsapan, meaning to hide, conceal, or store up, here used in the sense of ambushing. It reinforces the premeditation and secrecy of their evil plan, echoing "lie in wait."
  • "the innocent": Lenaqi, from naqi, meaning innocent, guiltless, clean, unpunished. This highlights the complete injustice of the proposed act. Their target is not an enemy or wrongdoer, but someone harmless and undeserving of such violence. This emphasizes the sheer malice of the perpetrators.
  • "without cause": Ḥinnam, meaning freely, for no purpose, for nothing, in vain, or gratuitously. This profoundly emphasizes the depravity. There is no legitimate reason (e.g., self-defense, vengeance for a wrong done to them) for their act; it is purely malicious, selfish, and motivated by greed or inherent evil. It highlights the senselessness and profound injustice of their intended violence.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "If they say, 'Come with us'": This phrase establishes the seductive nature of temptation. It's an invitation, not a forceful command, emphasizing the initial soft approach to lure someone into complicity.
  • "let us lie in wait for blood; let us ambush the innocent": These parallel phrases describe the nature of the crime—violent, premeditated, and deadly. The repetition strengthens the emphasis on cunning and lethal intent, focusing on shedding innocent life.
  • "for blood... the innocent... without cause": This triplet highlights the escalating horror and injustice. The target is life, specifically innocent life, and the act is utterly without justification, making it deeply offensive to God's law.

Proverbs 1 11 Bonus section

The repeated emphasis on "lie in wait" and "ambush" underscores the predatory nature of the wicked in this verse. They are like hunters, seeking to entrap unsuspecting prey, highlighting cunning and lack of open confrontation, signifying cowardice. This initial temptation sets the stage for the consequences outlined in subsequent verses (Prov 1:16-19), where the very same trap they set for others ensnares them, illustrating a powerful principle of divine justice or natural consequence where the evil a person performs ultimately rebounds upon them. The wisdom tradition consistently contrasts this pursuit of unjust gain and violence with the lasting, life-giving blessings of walking in integrity and righteousness. The invitation itself is part of a larger, systemic breakdown of justice and moral order, which wisdom literature seeks to combat by cultivating righteousness in the individual.

Proverbs 1 11 Commentary

Proverbs 1:11 functions as a stark and realistic portrayal of the enticement of sinners, revealing the core components of dangerous peer pressure. It unveils the deceptive allure presented as an invitation to "belong" and "participate" in something exciting or lucrative ("come with us"). However, the true nature of their proposed action is quickly laid bare: "lie in wait for blood" and "ambush the innocent without cause." This signifies planned violence leading to murder, targeting the undeserving. The phrase "without cause" underscores the pure malevolence and baseless nature of the act, distinguishing it from actions driven by vengeance or perceived slights; it is an act of pure, unadulterated evil, likely for selfish gain (alluded to in subsequent verses). The father's warning serves to equip the son to discern the destructive reality hidden behind attractive propositions, emphasizing that association with such individuals inevitably leads to participating in heinous acts that dishonor God and lead to ruin. The warning is not abstract; it speaks to the very real and lethal consequences of choosing evil companionship.

Examples:

• A youth being invited by a group to "hang out" at night, only to find the activity involves theft or assault.
• Someone tempted to join a group engaged in illegal financial schemes, where "victimless crime" quickly escalates to harm others.
• Being pressured by friends to partake in destructive acts like vandalism, presented as "harmless fun" or a way to get "quick thrills."