Proverbs 1:14 kjv

Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:

Proverbs 1:14 nkjv

Cast in your lot among us, Let us all have one purse"?

Proverbs 1:14 niv

cast lots with us; we will all share the loot"?

Proverbs 1:14 esv

throw in your lot among us; we will all have one purse" ?

Proverbs 1:14 nlt

Come, throw in your lot with us;
we'll all share the loot."

Proverbs 1 verses

Proverbs 1 14 Meaning

Proverbs 1:14 captures the persuasive voice of violent, greedy sinners attempting to lure a young person into their criminal enterprise. The verse is an invitation to participate in their ambush and share in the spoils. It promises shared wealth and a common stake in the ill-gotten gains, appealing to the desire for belonging, excitement, and quick riches.

Proverbs 1 14 Context

Proverbs chapter 1 begins the fatherly instruction, contrasting the path of wisdom with the path of folly. Verses 8-9 highlight the importance of parental teaching. Verses 10-19 specifically depict the seductive yet dangerous call of "sinners"—individuals engaged in robbery and violence. This passage warns the young man to resist their enticements. Verse 14 falls within the speech of these predatory individuals, where they outline the "benefits" of joining their illicit ventures. Their proposal emphasizes unity and shared material gain, attempting to overcome moral qualms with the promise of fellowship and wealth. Historically, societies faced constant threats from roving gangs or opportunists, making such warnings highly relevant to protecting the vulnerable, especially the young and impressionable, from falling prey to such groups. The passage directly counter-poses this evil companionship against the pursuit of godly wisdom and a righteous life, serving as a stark polemic against a life of lawlessness and covetousness.

Proverbs 1 14 Word analysis

• Cast in: נַפִּילָה (nappîlāh) - "let us cause to fall," a hiphil imperative, here meaning "let us cast" or "let us throw." It implies a decision-making process by chance or common agreement. In the Bible, casting lots often determined a course of action or a division, sometimes believed to be directed by divine will (Josh 18:6; Prov 16:33; Acts 1:26). Here, the sinners usurp this idea for their own predatory purposes, suggesting a shared, binding fate in their criminal enterprise.
• your lot: גוֹרָלֵנוּ (gôrālēnû) - "our lot." While the English typically says "your lot," the Hebrew here uses "our lot." This shifts the emphasis from the new recruit bringing their lot to join, to the group defining a collective lot or destiny together. It signifies inclusion and shared fate, erasing individual responsibility in favor of group cohesion and complicity. It evokes an image of total commitment, as if joining a group determined by an unchangeable cast.
• among us: אִתָּנוּ (ʾittānû) - "with us." This simple phrase is powerful. It appeals to a fundamental human need for belonging, acceptance, and social identity. For a young, potentially insecure individual, this invitation offers immediate camaraderie and a sense of purpose within a group, no matter how nefarious. It emphasizes exclusivity and shared identity.
• we will all have: יִהְיֶה לְכֻלָּנוּ (yihyeh lĕḵullānû) - "there will be to all of us." This highlights the promise of universal sharing among the group, reinforcing the appeal of collective benefit and seemingly equal distribution.
• one purse: כִּיס אֶחָד (kîs ʾeḥāḏ) - lit. "a pouch/bag, one." A "purse" refers to a bag used to carry money. The concept of "one purse" for all denotes a common treasury, a shared bank, or collective ownership of all spoils. It signifies complete pooling of ill-gotten gains and removes individual financial anxiety, promising collective security and prosperity from their criminal activities. This communal fund solidifies their solidarity in crime, ensuring that everyone benefits from the shared spoils.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• Cast in your lot among us: This phrase suggests total immersion and identification with the group's agenda and fate. It's a call to abandon individual identity and responsibility for a collective one, where decisions and outcomes are shared. It paints a picture of a tight-knit community, albeit one united in evil.
• we will all have one purse: This group of words describes the ultimate bait: shared, collective wealth. It implies an egalitarian distribution of illegal gains, fostering a sense of unity and removing potential conflict over spoils. It's a strong appeal to materialism and the desire for instant gratification, masking the inherent instability and ultimate ruin that such ill-gotten wealth brings.

Proverbs 1 14 Bonus section

The appeal of Proverbs 1:14 relies heavily on a distorted sense of community and the promise of easy wealth. The Hebrew phrase "nappîlāh gôrālēnû" ("let us cast our lot," specifically 'our' lot) is often rendered as "cast your lot," highlighting the individual's commitment. However, the collective "our lot" implies that the very destiny or future itself is being forged together, making the individual's choice deeply integrated into the group's fabric. This group cohesion in sin is a deceptive strength. The passage implicitly critiques covetousness (Ex 20:17) and unrighteous gain (Jer 17:11) by exposing the ultimate futility of such endeavors, showing that wealth gained in wickedness brings no true prosperity or peace. The lure is for "sudden, illicit gain," which contrasts with wisdom's path of diligence and integrity, which leads to lasting blessings.

Proverbs 1 14 Commentary

Proverbs 1:14 stands as a classic temptation offered by those engaged in sin, showcasing how allurements operate. The core of the invitation is based on promises of community and material gain. "Cast in your lot among us" provides a false sense of belonging, unity, and a shared future. For someone lacking direction or craving acceptance, this offer of "us" is powerfully seductive, suggesting that by joining this group, one gains a common purpose and an identity. Coupled with "we will all have one purse," the material benefits are laid bare: the spoils of violence will be collectively owned, implying security, wealth, and shared enjoyment without individual effort or risk in the acquisition phase.

However, the wisdom literature immediately exposes this as a destructive deception. Such "fellowship" is a mere partnership in crime, destined to self-destruct (Prov 1:18). The "one purse" will not provide lasting wealth or satisfaction; it is filled with gains that bring only anxiety, shame, and eventual ruin (Jer 17:11; 1 Tim 6:9-10). The superficial unity hides deeper conflict, as trust and true partnership cannot exist among those who operate in lawlessness. The verse is a profound warning that joining the "communal purse" of wickedness leads not to security or belonging, but to mutual destruction and alienation from God and righteous society. It serves as a call to discern between true fellowship based on righteousness and deceptive alliances based on greed.

Examples:

• A young person enticed into a drug gang by promises of protection and shared profits.
• An individual tempted to join a corporate fraud scheme, where all participants will "share" in the illicit profits.
• Being lured into online scams or pyramid schemes that promise quick, effortless shared wealth if one "joins their team."