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Genesis 9:6
Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.

Exodus 21:14
But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die.

Numbers 35:14
Ye shall give three cities on this side Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan,which shall be cities of refuge.

will flee into the Pit
The "Pit" is often a metaphor for Sheol, the realm of the dead, or a place of destruction and judgment (Psalm 55:23). In this context, it suggests that the person burdened by guilt will ultimately face death or divine judgment. The imagery of fleeing indicates a sense of desperation and inevitability, as the guilty person cannot escape the consequences of their actions. This aligns with the biblical principle that sin leads to death (Romans 6:23). The Pit also symbolizes separation from God, as sin creates a barrier between humanity and the divine.

let no one support him
This phrase advises against aiding or abetting someone guilty of such a serious crime. In ancient Israel, harboring a murderer was against the law, as justice was a communal responsibility (Deuteronomy 19:11-13). The call to not support the guilty underscores the importance of upholding justice and righteousness. It reflects the biblical theme that sin must be confronted and dealt with, not concealed or ignored (Proverbs 24:24-25). This principle is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are urged to expose deeds of darkness rather than participate in them (Ephesians 5:11).

• Bloodguilt involves willful taking of human life; the offender walks under an intolerable weight of conscience. Cain lamented, “My guilt is too great to bear” (Genesis 4:13), showing how the inner load becomes a torment even before any human court speaks.

• God considers innocent blood precious (Genesis 9:6;Proverbs 6:17), and He personally holds the murderer accountable.Numbers 35:33 warns, “Blood defiles the land, and no atonement can be made… except by the blood of the one who shed it.”

• The proverb assumes the literal reality of guilt—no self-justification, therapy, or societal change erases it. Only divine justice or mercy can address the stain (Psalm 51:14;Isaiah 1:18).

• “The Pit” points first to earthly consequences: ancient law allowed the avenger of blood to pursue the murderer until the culprit reached a city of refuge (Numbers 35:19). Many chose flight over repentance, yet they rarely found safety.

• Beyond temporal judgment, the phrase stretches to ultimate ruin—Sheol, the realm of the dead.Psalm 55:23 echoes, “You, O God, will bring them down to the Pit of destruction.” Proverbs balances daily life wisdom with eternal reality; those who spurn God’s ways run headlong toward both physical death and everlasting separation (Revelation 21:8).

• Flight signals unresolved sin. Rather than turning to the Lord like David did after his crime (2 Samuel 12:13), the guilty man doubles down on self-preservation, accelerating his fall.

• Scripture forbids aiding or concealing violent evil. “Keep yourself far from a false charge, and do not kill the innocent or the righteous, for I will not acquit the guilty” (Exodus 23:7).

• Practical implications:

– Do not provide shelter, funds, or testimony that hinders lawful justice (Deuteronomy 19:13).

– Refuse moral complicity: “Do not share in the sins of others” (1 Timothy 5:22).

– Confront rather than enable.Ezekiel 3:18 warns that silence toward a wicked man’s peril makes the silent one accountable.

• Godly non-support is not vengeance but participation with divine justice.Romans 13:4 affirms governing authority as “an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.” Withholding help allows that God-ordained process to proceed.

Proverbs 28:17 teaches that murder fastens an unbearable load on the soul. In attempting to escape, the offender races toward earthly judgment and eternal destruction. God calls His people to stand clear of any aid that would shield unrepentant killers from justice. The verse underscores the sanctity of life, the certainty of accountability, and the necessity of aligning with God’s righteous standards rather than human sentimentality.

Shall flee to the pit.--Fulfilling the curse ofGenesis 9:6.

Let no man stay him--i.e.,attempt to rescue him from the punishment he has deserved.