Breakfast with Solomon - Proverbs 29:10

Proverbs 29:10

"Men of bloodshed hate the blameless, but the upright are concerned for his life."

bloodshed

This is the Hebrew word dam, which means blood or blood guiltiness. The idea is the shedding of blood, through violence, often resulting in death. It is the definition of a person who does not respect or abide by the 6th Commandment: Thou shalt not murder. These are aggressive I-get-what-I-want types of people who do not hesitate to run over people to achieve their ends. These people do not hesitate to use physical violence – and even death – to accomplish their means.

hate

This is the Hebrew word sane, which means to hate; that which is opposed, detested, despised. In this case those who pursue their goals with no limits – including violence and murder – hate those who are blameless because they respect moral boundaries. There are some things that you cannot do. The fact that the blameless would appeal to the rule of law and tell the violent and murderous that they cannot do something produces a deep emotional reaction of loathing in their heart.

blameless

This is the word tam, which means perfect. In this instance it is translated blameless. The idea here is a person who respects moral boundaries. Certain things can't be done. Certain objectives cannot be accomplished because you have to break ethical and legal boundaries to get there. This is the way the blameless or perfect person thinks. Realize that it is not wrong to be hated because you won't cross moral boundaries. This is a good reason to be despised. It is not possible to be universally liked. There are people who want to break the rules and if you won't do that, you will be despised for that.

upright

This is the Hebrew word yoser, which means upright, straightness. The idea is that this is the person who lives in the moral boundary structure of the Ten Commandments.

concerned

This is the Hebrew word baqas, which means to seek, to desire. The idea is that the upright person desires the soul of the person to be improved and benefited. This is the essence of wisdom. The man of bloodshed does not care what he has to do to others as long as he gets his way. The upright person wants to know that the soul of the other person is benefited by his actions.

Are you striving after wisdom? Are you seeking the benefit of the other people around you or only your own benefit?

Until tomorrow,

Gil Stieglitz

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