Haughty eyes
This phrase refers to pride and arrogance, a sin that is consistently condemned throughout Scripture. In biblical context, "haughty eyes" symbolize a heart that is lifted up in self-exaltation, looking down on others. Proverbs 16:18 warns that pride precedes destruction, and Isaiah 2:11 speaks of the Lord humbling the haughty. The cultural context of ancient Israel placed a high value on humility and reverence for God, contrasting with the pride of surrounding nations. This pride is antithetical to the character of Christ, who exemplified humility (Philippians 2:5-8).

A lying tongue
Lying is a direct violation of the ninth commandment (Exodus 20:16) and is seen as an abomination to God. In biblical times, truthfulness was essential for maintaining justice and community trust. The tongue, as described in James 3:6, has the power to corrupt and destroy. The deceitful tongue is contrasted with the truthfulness of Jesus, who is described as "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). The prophetic literature, such as Jeremiah 9:3-5, often condemns the deceitfulness of the people, calling them to repentance.

Hands that shed innocent blood
This phrase highlights the severity of murder and violence, which are condemned throughout Scripture. The shedding of innocent blood is a grave sin, first seen in the story of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:8-10). The historical context of ancient Israel included laws that protected the innocent and prescribed justice for murderers (Numbers 35:33). This phrase also prophetically points to the ultimate shedding of innocent blood in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, who, though innocent, was sacrificed for the sins of humanity (Isaiah 53:7-9). The call for justice and protection of the innocent is a recurring theme in the prophets, such as in Micah 6:8.

1. Solomon
Traditionally considered the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. He compiled these sayings to impart wisdom and moral instruction.

2. Israel
The nation to whom the Proverbs were originally addressed, providing guidance for living a life pleasing to God.

3. The Wise and the Foolish
Throughout Proverbs, these two archetypes represent those who follow God's wisdom and those who reject it.Guard Against Pride
"Haughty eyes" symbolize arrogance and self-exaltation. As believers, we must cultivate humility, recognizing our dependence on God.

Speak Truthfully
A "lying tongue" is detestable to God. We are called to be people of integrity, ensuring our words reflect truth and honesty.

Value Life
"Hands that shed innocent blood" remind us of the sanctity of life. We must advocate for justice and protect the vulnerable, aligning our actions with God's heart for the innocent.

Reflect on Inner Attitudes
These verses challenge us to examine our hearts, as outward actions often reflect inner attitudes. Regular self-examination and repentance are crucial.

Seek God's Wisdom
Proverbs encourages us to seek divine wisdom to navigate life's challenges, avoiding the pitfalls of pride, deceit, and violence.(17) A proud look.--Hateful to God, because rendering men unfit to receive grace. Till they acknowledge their weakness, they will not seek for His strength, and without it they can make no progress in holiness. (Comp. 1Peter 5:5, and Christ's commendation of the "poor in spirit," Matthew 5:3.)

Verse 17. - The enumeration begins with pride. A proud look (Hebrew, eynayim ramoth); literally, haughty or lofty eyes, as in the margin; Vulgate, oculos sublimes; LXX., ὀφθάλμὸς ὑβριστοῦ. It is not merely the look which is meant, but the temper of mind which the look expresses (Wardlaw). The lofty look is the indication of the swelling pride which fills the heart, the mentis elatae tumor, the supreme disdain, grande supercilium, for everything and everybody. Pride is put first, because it is at the bottom of all disobedience and rebellion against God's laws. It is the very opposite of humility, which the apostle, in Ephesians 4:2, mentions as the basis, as it were, of all the virtues. All pride is intended, and the face of the Lord is against this pride. He "resisteth the proud;" he "knoweth them afar off;" he "hath respect unto the lowly;" he "will bring down high looks" (Psalm 18:27); he judgeth those that are high (Job 21:22). It is against this spirit that Job prays Jehovah "to behold every one that is proud, and abase him," and "to look upon every one that is proud, and bring him low" (Job 40:11, 12). The next thing in the enumeration is a lying tongue. Lying is hateful to God, because he is the God of truth. In a concise form the expression, "a lying tongue," represents what has been already said in vers. 12 and 13 of "the wicked man" who "walks with a froward mouth," and whose conduct is made up of deceit. Lying is the wilful perversion of truth, not only by speech, but by any means whatever whereby a false impression is conveyed to the mind. The liar "sticks not at any lies, flatteries, or calumnies" (Patrick). Lying is elsewhere denounced as the subject which excites the Divine displeasure (see Psalm 5:6; Psalm 120:3, 4; Hosea 4:1-3; Revelation 21:8, 27); and in the early Christian Church, in the case of Ananias and Sapphira, it was punished with death. On the subject of lying, see St. Augustine, 'Enchiridion,' c. 18, wherein he says, "Mihi autem videtur peccatum quidem esse omne mendacium." Every lie is a sin. The third thing is hands that shed innocent blood, i.e. a murderous and cruel disposition, which, rather than have its plans frustrated, will imbue the hands with innocent blood, i.e. the blood of those who have done it no injury. The Divine command is, "Thou shall do no murder," and those who break it will find, even if they escape man, that the Lord is "the avenger of blood," and that he "maketh inquisition" for it (cf. ch. 1. and 2, and Isaiah 59:7, which bear a close resemblance to this passage). That the shedding of innocent blood cues for vengeance, and pulls down God's heavy judgments on the murderer, appears in the case of Cain and Abel (Muffet).

Parallel Commentaries ...


haughty
רָ֭מוֹת (rā·mō·wṯ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine plural
Strong's 7311: To be high actively, to rise, raise

eyes,
עֵינַ֣יִם (‘ê·na·yim)
Noun - cd
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

a lying
שָׁ֑קֶר (šā·qer)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8267: Deception, disappointment, falsehood

tongue,
לְשׁ֣וֹן (lə·šō·wn)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 3956: The tongue

hands
וְ֝יָדַ֗יִם (wə·yā·ḏa·yim)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - fd
Strong's 3027: A hand

that shed
שֹׁפְכ֥וֹת (šō·p̄ə·ḵō·wṯ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine plural
Strong's 8210: To spill forth, to expend, to sprawl out

innocent
נָקִֽי׃ (nā·qî)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 5355: Clean, free from, exempt

blood,
דָּם־ (dām-)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1818: Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 6:17 Haughty eyes a lying tongue hands that (Prov. Pro Pr)