Proverbs 29:10
The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.
Original Language Analysis
אַנְשֵׁ֣י
The bloodthirsty
H582
אַנְשֵׁ֣י
The bloodthirsty
Strong's:
H582
Word #:
1 of 7
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
דָ֭מִים
H1818
דָ֭מִים
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
2 of 7
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
תָ֑ם
the upright
H8535
תָ֑ם
the upright
Strong's:
H8535
Word #:
4 of 7
complete; usually (morally) pious; specifically, gentle, dear
Historical Context
David experienced this repeatedly—Saul's murderous jealousy, Absalom's rebellion, Shimei's curses. The righteous king or prophet often faced violent opposition from those whose evil was exposed by moral uprightness. Israel's history is filled with murdered prophets (Matthew 23:37).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the world's hatred of moral uprightness manifest in contemporary culture?
- When your righteousness provokes hostility, how do you respond without compromise or retaliation?
- What does it mean for 'the just' to 'seek the soul' of the upright—how do believers protect and support those under attack for their faith?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The bloodthirsty hate the upright (אַנְשֵׁי דָמִים יִשְׂנְאוּ־תָם)—literally 'men of bloods' (anshei damim), those who shed blood violently, hate the blameless (tam, perfect/upright). This isn't mere dislike but visceral hatred (sane). The righteous person's moral integrity is an unbearable rebuke to the violent.
But the just seek his soul (וִישָׁרִים יְבַקְשׁוּ נַפְשׁוֹ)—the upright (yesharim) seek the soul/life of the righteous person, either to preserve it (protective seeking) or the violent seek to destroy it. Most commentators see this as the just seeking to save the upright from bloodthirsty men. This anticipates Christ: 'the world hates you because it hated me first' (John 15:18-19). Abel's blood cried out against Cain; Stephen was stoned by the violent.