Proverbs 28:1
The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
Original Language Analysis
נָ֣סוּ
flee
H5127
נָ֣סוּ
flee
Strong's:
H5127
Word #:
1 of 7
to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
רֹדֵ֣ף
when no man pursueth
H7291
רֹדֵ֣ף
when no man pursueth
Strong's:
H7291
Word #:
3 of 7
to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)
רָשָׁ֑ע
The wicked
H7563
רָשָׁ֑ע
The wicked
Strong's:
H7563
Word #:
4 of 7
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
Cross References
Deuteronomy 28:7The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.Psalms 53:5There were they in great fear, where no fear was: for God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth against thee: thou hast put them to shame, because God hath despised them.Psalms 112:7He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.1 Thessalonians 2:2But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.Acts 4:13Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.Acts 14:3Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.Jeremiah 20:4For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will make thee a terror to thyself, and to all thy friends: and they shall fall by the sword of their enemies, and thine eyes shall behold it: and I will give all Judah into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall carry them captive into Babylon, and shall slay them with the sword.Leviticus 26:36And upon them that are left alive of you I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies; and the sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them; and they shall flee, as fleeing from a sword; and they shall fall when none pursueth.Deuteronomy 28:25The LORD shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them: and shalt be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.2 Kings 7:15And they went after them unto Jordan: and, lo, all the way was full of garments and vessels, which the Syrians had cast away in their haste. And the messengers returned, and told the king.
Historical Context
Israel's history showed this principle repeatedly: wicked kings feared conspiracies and fled before enemies (1 Kings 16:18), while righteous leaders like David, Daniel, and the apostles faced danger boldly.
Questions for Reflection
- Does guilty conscience make you fearful, or does righteousness in Christ give you bold confidence?
- How does assurance of justification produce practical courage in daily life?
- In what situations do you need to walk boldly rather than fearfully?
Analysis & Commentary
The wicked flee when no one pursues, but 'the righteous are bold as a lion.' The Hebrew 'nus' (flee) describes the guilty conscience that sees threats everywhere. Wickedness produces paranoia and cowardice. Conversely, 'batach' (bold/confident) characterizes the righteous—they have clear conscience before God. Reformed theology affirms that justification by faith produces peace with God (Romans 5:1) and confidence in His protection. The righteous need not fear because God is for them (Romans 8:31). This boldness comes from assurance of salvation, not personal merit.