Proverbs 17:15
Proverbs 17:15 in Multiple Translations
Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous— both are detestable to the LORD.
He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.
He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.
He who gives a decision for the evil-doer and he who gives a decision against the upright, are equally disgusting to the Lord.
The Lord hates it when the wicked are acquitted and the innocent condemned.
He that iustifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the iust, euen they both are abomination to the Lord.
Whoso is justifying the wicked, And condemning the righteous, Even both of these [are] an abomination to Jehovah.
He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.
He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, both are abominable before God.
There are two things that Yahweh hates: ◄Condemning innocent people/Saying that people who have done nothing wrong must be punished►, and declaring that people who have done wicked things should not be punished.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 17:15
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 17:15 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
מַצְדִּ֣יק
רָ֭שָׁע
וּ/מַרְשִׁ֣יעַ
צַדִּ֑יק
תּוֹעֲבַ֥ת
יְ֝הוָ֗ה
גַּם
שְׁנֵי/הֶֽם
מַצְדִּ֣יק
tsâdaq
H6663
to justify
V-Hiphil
רָ֭שָׁע
râshâʻ
H7563
wicked
Adj
וּ/מַרְשִׁ֣יעַ
râshaʻ
H7561
be wicked
Conj | V-Hiphil
צַדִּ֑יק
tsaddîyq
H6662
righteous
Adj
תּוֹעֲבַ֥ת
tôwʻêbah
H8441
abomination
N-fs
יְ֝הוָ֗ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
גַּם
gam
H1571
also
DirObjM
שְׁנֵי/הֶֽם
shᵉnayim
H8147
two
Adj | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 17:15
מַצְדִּ֣יק
tsâdaq
H6663
"to justify"
V-Hiphil
Refers to the act of making something right, either by justifying oneself or being declared righteous by God. It is used to describe God's justice and people's attempts to do what is right. This concept is key to understanding the Bible's teachings on sin and redemption.
Definition: 1) to be just, be righteous 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to have a just cause, be in the right 1a2) to be justified 1a3) to be just (of God) 1a4) to be just, be righteous (in conduct and character) 1b) (Niphal) to be put or made right, be justified 1c) (Piel) justify, make to appear righteous, make someone righteous 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to do or bring justice (in administering law) 1d2) to declare righteous, justify 1d3) to justify, vindicate the cause of, save 1d4) to make righteous, turn to righteousness 1e) (Hithpael) to justify oneself
Usage: Occurs in 40 OT verses. KJV: cleanse, clear self, (be, do) just(-ice, -ify, -ify self), (be turn to) righteous(-ness). See also: Genesis 38:26; Job 33:32; Psalms 19:10.
רָ֭שָׁע
râshâʻ
H7563
"wicked"
Adj
This word describes someone who is morally wrong, a bad person who is guilty of crime or sin against God or others. It is used to describe the wicked in biblical stories, such as in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) wicked, criminal 1a) guilty one, one guilty of crime (subst) 1b) wicked (hostile to God) 1c) wicked, guilty of sin (against God or man)
Usage: Occurs in 248 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong. See also: Genesis 18:23; Psalms 101:8; Psalms 1:1.
וּ/מַרְשִׁ֣יעַ
râshaʻ
H7561
"be wicked"
Conj | V-Hiphil
Being wicked or acting wrongly is what this Hebrew word describes. In Psalm 37:7, the Bible warns against being wicked and instead encourages trusting in God.
Definition: 1) to be wicked, act wickedly 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be wicked, act wickedly 1a2) to be guilty, be condemned 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to condemn as guilty (in civil relations) 1b2) to condemn as guilty (in ethical or religious relations) 1b3) to act wickedly (in ethics and religion)
Usage: Occurs in 35 OT verses. KJV: condemn, make trouble, vex, be (commit, deal, depart, do) wicked(-ly, -ness). See also: Exodus 22:8; Job 32:3; Psalms 18:22.
צַדִּ֑יק
tsaddîyq
H6662
"righteous"
Adj
Means being just or righteous, as seen in government, personal conduct, or character, often describing someone made right with God. It appears in descriptions of King David and other biblical leaders. The concept is central to the Bible's teachings on morality and ethics.
Definition: 1) just, lawful, righteous 1a) just, righteous (in government) 1b) just, right (in one's cause) 1c) just, righteous (in conduct and character) 1d) righteous (as justified and vindicated by God) 1e) right, correct, lawful
Usage: Occurs in 197 OT verses. KJV: just, lawful, righteous (man). See also: Genesis 6:9; Proverbs 10:31; Psalms 1:5.
תּוֹעֲבַ֥ת
tôwʻêbah
H8441
"abomination"
N-fs
The Hebrew word for abomination refers to something disgusting, like idolatry or unclean food, and is often used to describe wickedness in the Bible.
Definition: 1) a disgusting thing, abomination, abominable 1a) in ritual sense (of unclean food, idols, mixed marriages) 1b) in ethical sense (of wickedness etc)
Usage: Occurs in 112 OT verses. KJV: abominable (custom, thing), abomination. See also: Genesis 43:32; Proverbs 26:25; Psalms 88:9.
יְ֝הוָ֗ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
גַּם
gam
H1571
"also"
DirObjM
Also means 'even' or 'too', used for emphasis or to connect ideas, like 'both...and' or 'neither...nor'. It can introduce a climax or show contrast.
Definition: 1) also, even, indeed, moreover, yea 1a) also, moreover (giving emphasis) 1b) neither, neither...nor (with negative) 1c) even (for stress) 1d) indeed, yea (introducing climax) 1e) also (of correspondence or retribution) 1f) but, yet, though (adversative) 1g) even, yea, yea though (with 'when' in hypothetical case) 2) (TWOT) again, alike
Usage: Occurs in 661 OT verses. KJV: again, alike, also, (so much) as (soon), both (so)...and, but, either...or, even, for all, (in) likewise (manner), moreover, nay...neither, one, then(-refore), though, what, with, yea. See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 19:9; 1 Samuel 14:21.
שְׁנֵי/הֶֽם
shᵉnayim
H8147
"two"
Adj | Suff
The Hebrew word for the number two appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing pairs and dualities. It can also mean double or twice. In the Bible, it is often used to describe things that come in twos, like two witnesses or two tablets.
Definition: 1) two 1a) two (the cardinal number) 1a1) two, both, double, twice 1b) second (the ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers 1d) both (a dual number)
Usage: Occurs in 646 OT verses. KJV: both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two. See also: Genesis 1:16; Exodus 30:4; Numbers 13:23.
Study Notes — Proverbs 17:15
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 17:15 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 17:15
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 17:15
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 17:15
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 17:15
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 17:15
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 17:15
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 17:15
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 17:15
- Sermons on Proverbs 17:15
Context — Better a Dry Morsel in Quietness
13If anyone returns evil for good, evil will never leave his house.
14To start a quarrel is to release a flood; so abandon the dispute before it breaks out.
15Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous— both are detestable to the LORD.
16Why should the fool have money in his hand with no intention of buying wisdom? 17A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exodus 23:7 | Stay far away from a false accusation. Do not kill the innocent or the just, for I will not acquit the guilty. |
| 2 | Proverbs 18:5 | Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice. |
| 3 | Isaiah 5:23 | who acquit the guilty for a bribe and deprive the innocent of justice. |
| 4 | Proverbs 24:23–24 | These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judgment is not good. Whoever tells the guilty, “You are innocent”— peoples will curse him, and nations will denounce him; |
| 5 | Amos 6:12 | “Do horses gallop on the cliffs? Does one plow the sea with oxen? But you have turned justice into poison and the fruit of righteousness into wormwood— |
| 6 | Proverbs 15:8 | The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight. |
| 7 | Isaiah 55:8–9 | “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. |
| 8 | Amos 5:12 | For I know that your transgressions are many and your sins are numerous. You oppress the righteous by taking bribes; you deprive the poor of justice in the gate. |
| 9 | Amos 5:7 | There are those who turn justice into wormwood and cast righteousness to the ground. |
| 10 | 1 Kings 21:13 | And the two scoundrels came in and sat opposite Naboth, and these men testified against him before the people, saying, “Naboth has cursed both God and the king!” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death. |
Proverbs 17:15 Summary
This verse means that God hates it when people are treated unfairly, whether it's letting guilty people go free or punishing innocent people. It's like when someone does something wrong, but they don't get in trouble for it, or when someone does something right, but they get in trouble anyway. This goes against what God wants, which is justice and fairness for everyone, as seen in Psalm 37:28. We can trust that God will always do what is right and just, and we should try to do the same in our own lives, following His example and instructions in Deuteronomy 32:4.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for God to find something detestable?
According to Proverbs 17:15, God finds it detestable when the guilty are acquitted and the righteous are condemned, highlighting His desire for justice and righteousness, as seen in Deuteronomy 32:4 and Psalm 37:28.
Is it ever right to show mercy to the guilty?
While mercy is a key aspect of God's character, as shown in Exodus 34:6-7, Proverbs 17:15 emphasizes the importance of upholding justice and not perverting it by acquitting the guilty or condemning the innocent.
How does this verse relate to our role in seeking justice?
As believers, we are called to uphold justice and righteousness, as stated in Micah 6:8 and Isaiah 1:17, and to trust in God's sovereignty, knowing that He will ultimately bring about justice, as promised in Psalm 37:6 and Revelation 20:11-15.
What does this verse teach us about God's character?
Proverbs 17:15 reveals that God is a God of justice and righteousness, who hates the perversion of justice, and loves righteousness, as seen in Psalm 11:7 and Psalm 33:5, emphasizing His holy and just nature.
Reflection Questions
- How can I ensure that I am upholding justice and righteousness in my own life, rather than perverting it?
- What are some ways that I can trust in God's sovereignty and justice, even when I see injustice in the world around me?
- In what ways can I demonstrate God's heart for justice and righteousness in my interactions with others, particularly those who may be marginalized or oppressed?
- How can I balance the need for justice with the need for mercy and compassion, as I seek to reflect God's character in my own life?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 17:15
He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just,.... That absolves and clears the guilty, and pronounces him righteous in open court, where he stands arraigned, accused, and the fact
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 17:15
He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 17:15
That justifieth; that acquitteth him as innocent by a judicial sentence, or otherwise approveth or commendeth his evil practices; by which we may easily understand what it is to condemn the just.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 17:15
Proverbs 17:15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both [are] abomination to the LORD.Ver. 15. He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, &c.] To wrong a righteous man in word only is a grievous sin; how much more to murder him under pretence of justice, as they did innocent Naboth; as the bloody Papists do Christ’ s faithful witnesses; and as the Jews did Christ himself, crying out, "We have a law, and by our law he ought to die." This is to play the thief or manslayer cum privilegio; this is to "frame mischief by a law." The like may be said of that other branch of injustice, the justifying of the wicked. Bonis nocet, qui malis parcit: He wrongs the good that spares the bad; better turn so many wild boars, bears, wolves, leopards loose among them, than these monstrous men of condition, that will either corrupt them, or otherwise mischieve them. For "thou knowest this people is set upon mischief" They cannot sleep, unless they have hurt some one. Neither pertains this proverb to magistrates only, but to private persons too, who must take heed how they precipitate a censure. Herein David was to blame in pronouncing the wicked happy, and condemning the generation of God’ s children, for the which oversight he afterwards shames and shents himself, yea, befools and be-beasts himself, as well he deserved.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 17:15
(15) He that justifieth the wicked—i.e., acquits. The perversion of justice was a fruitful source of evil in Israel, and a constant topic of reproach in the mouth of the prophets (1 Samuel 8:3; Psalms 82:2; Isaiah 5:7).
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 17:15
15. Comp. Isaiah 5:23.
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 17:15
People need to be warned against an unjust acquittal, no less than against unjust condemnation. The word “justifieth” has its forensic sense, “to declare righteous,” to acquit.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 17:15
15. Justifieth the wicked… condemneth the just — This proverb refers especially to judicial justification and condemnation, but may have its applications also in other cases, as when one in
Sermons on Proverbs 17:15
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Missions Conference Shoals) - Part 2 by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the movie "The Passion" and his response to it. He expresses his fear of watching the film due to the emotional impact it may have on him. Th |
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(Blood Covenant) the Mark of God or the Mark of the Beast - 1 by Milton Green | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the judgment that will come on the last day. He emphasizes that many people have been spiritually asleep and have confused good with evil and |
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The Meaning of the Cross by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the speaker begins by asserting his right to critique the church's understanding of the gospel based on historical context. He distinguishes between theologians and |
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The Depth of the Gospel - Part 2 by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the preacher uses an illustration to emphasize the importance of justice in understanding the gospel. He starts by describing a hypothetical scenario where a person |
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The Unhindered Gospel by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of preaching the full Gospel, which includes repentance, holiness, and the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. He highlights the |
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Turning the Tide - Part 2 by Charles Stanley | This sermon addresses the move towards socialism in the country, emphasizing the dangers of government control over means of production and distribution, the demoralization of indi |
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The Gospel of Jesus Christ (s.n.e. Reformation Conference) by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the speaker presents a thought-provoking scenario to illustrate the concept of justice and forgiveness. He describes a situation where a person's family has been br |