Proverbs 6:17
haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,
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.

Persons / Places / Events
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.
Teaching Points
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.
Bible Study Questions
1. How can we identify and combat pride in our daily lives, and what practical steps can we take to cultivate humility?

2. In what ways can we ensure that our speech aligns with biblical principles of truthfulness and integrity?

3. How does the sanctity of life influence our views on contemporary issues such as justice, violence, and advocacy for the vulnerable?

4. Reflect on a time when your actions were influenced by inner attitudes. How can regular self-examination help align our hearts with God's will?

5. How can seeking God's wisdom through prayer and scripture study help us avoid the pitfalls mentioned in Proverbs 6:17?
Connections to Other Scriptures
James 3:5-6
This passage discusses the power of the tongue, similar to the "lying tongue" mentioned in Proverbs 6:17, emphasizing the destructive potential of words.

Matthew 5:21-22
Jesus expands on the commandment against murder, connecting it to anger and hatred, which aligns with "hands that shed innocent blood."

Isaiah 2:11
This verse speaks against the prideful, connecting to "haughty eyes" and God's judgment against arrogance.
The Condemnation of PrideW. Clarkson Proverbs 6:16, 17
The Divine Dislike of DeceitfulnessW. Clarkson Proverbs 6:16, 17
A Catalogue of AbominationsE. Johnson Proverbs 6:16-19
The Brand of GodW. Clarkson Proverbs 6:16-19
The Seven Abominable ThingsD. Thomas, D. D.Proverbs 6:16-19
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Blood, Cause, Hands, Haughty, Innocent, Lying, Pride, Proud, Shed, Shedding, Tongue, Tongues
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 6:17

     5156   hand
     5193   tongue

Proverbs 6:12-19

     8736   evil, warnings against

Proverbs 6:16-17

     8278   innocence, teaching on

Proverbs 6:16-18

     5925   rashness
     6186   evil scheming

Proverbs 6:16-19

     1656   numbers, combinations
     6025   sin, and God's character

Library
The Talking Book
A Sermon (No. 1017) Delivered on Lord's Day Morning, October 22nd, 1871 at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, by C. H. Spurgeon. "When thou awakest, it shall talk with thee."--Proverbs 6:22. It is a very happy circumstance when the commandment of our father and the law of our mother are also the commandment of God and the law of the Lord. Happy are they who have a double force to draw them to the right--the bonds of nature, and the cords of grace. They sin with a vengeance who sin both against
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

An Appeal to Children of Godly Parents
A sermon (No. 2406) intended for reading on Lord's Day, March 31st, 1895, delivered by C. H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, on Lord's Day evening, March 27th, 1887. "My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. For the commandment is a lamp; and the law
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

The Talking Book
In order that we may be persuaded so to do, Solomon gives us three telling reasons. He says that God's law, by which I understand the whole run of Scripture, and, especially the gospel of Jesus Christ, will be a guide to us:--"When thou goest, it shall lead thee." It will be a guardian to us: "When thou sleepest"--when thou art defenceless and off thy guard--"it shall keep thee." And it shall also be a dear companion to us: "When thou awakest, it shall talk with thee." Any one of these three arguments
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

How Sowers of Strifes and Peacemakers are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 24.) Differently to be admonished are sowers of strifes and peacemakers. For sowers of strifes are to be admonished to perceive whose followers they are. For of the apostate angel it is written, when tares had been sown among the good crop, An enemy hath done this (Matth. xiii. 28). Of a member of him also it is said through Solomon, An apostate person, an unprofitable man, walketh with a perverse mouth, he winketh with his eyes, he beateth with his foot, he speaketh with his finger,
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

A Jealous God
I. Reverently, let us remember that THE LORD IS EXCEEDINGLY JEALOUS OF HIS DEITY. Our text is coupled with the command--"Thou shalt worship no other God." When the law was thundered from Sinai, the second commandment received force from the divine jealousy--"Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in the heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 9: 1863

How Subjects and Prelates are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 5.) Differently to be admonished are subjects and prelates: the former that subjection crush them not, the latter that superior place elate them not: the former that they fail not to fulfil what is commanded them, the latter that they command not more to be fulfilled than is just: the former that they submit humbly, the latter that they preside temperately. For this, which may be understood also figuratively, is said to the former, Children, obey your parents in the Lord: but to
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

The Preface to the Commandments
And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God,' &c. Exod 20: 1, 2. What is the preface to the Ten Commandments? The preface to the Ten Commandments is, I am the Lord thy God.' The preface to the preface is, God spake all these words, saying,' &c. This is like the sounding of a trumpet before a solemn proclamation. Other parts of the Bible are said to be uttered by the mouth of the holy prophets (Luke 1: 70), but here God spake in his own person. How are we to understand that, God spake,
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

"Boast not Thyself of to Morrow, for Thou Knowest not what a Day May Bring Forth. "
Prov. xxvii. 1.--"Boast not thyself of to morrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." As man is naturally given to boasting and gloriation in something (for the heart cannot want some object to rest upon and take complacency in, it is framed with such a capacity of employing other things), so there is a strong inclination in man towards the time to come, he hath an immortal appetite, and an appetite of immortality; and therefore his desires usually stretch farther than the present
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Heavenly Footman; Or, a Description of the Man that Gets to Heaven:
TOGETHER WITH THE WAY HE RUNS IN, THE MARKS HE GOES BY; ALSO, SOME DIRECTIONS HOW TO RUN SO AS TO OBTAIN. 'And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain: escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.'--Genesis 19:17. London: Printed for John Marshall, at the Bible in Gracechurch Street, 1698. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. About forty years ago a gentleman, in whose company I had commenced my
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

In Death and after Death
A sadder picture could scarcely be drawn than that of the dying Rabbi Jochanan ben Saccai, that "light of Israel" immediately before and after the destruction of the Temple, and for two years the president of the Sanhedrim. We read in the Talmud (Ber. 28 b) that, when his disciples came to see him on his death-bed, he burst into tears. To their astonished inquiry why he, "the light of Israel, the right pillar of the Temple, and its mighty hammer," betrayed such signs of fear, he replied: "If I were
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

"And Watch unto Prayer. "
1 Pet. iv. 7.--"And watch unto prayer." "Watch." A Christian should watch. A Christian is a watchman by office. This duty of watchfulness is frequently commanded and commended in scripture, Matt. xxiv. 42, Mark xiii. 33, 1 Cor. xvi. 13, Eph. vi. 18, 1 Pet. v. 8, Col. iv. 2; Luke xii. 37. David did wait as they that did watch for the morning light. The ministers of the gospel are styled watchmen in scripture and every Christian should be to himself as a minister is to his flock, he should watch over
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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