Proverbs 29:24

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

A partner to a thief hates his own soul; he receives the oath, but does not testify.

American Standard Version (1901)

Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul; He heareth the adjuration and uttereth nothing.

Bible in Basic English

A man who takes part with a thief has hate for his soul; he is put under oath, but says nothing.

Douay-Rheims 1899

He that is partaker with a thief, hateth his own soul: he heareth one putting him to his oath, and discovereth not.

Free Bible Version

A thief's partner hates his life; even under the threat of being cursed he can't tell the truth.

Geneva Bible 1599

He that is partner with a thiefe, hateth his owne soule: he heareth cursing, and declareth it not.

King James (Authorized) Version

Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.

One Unity Resource Bible

Whoever is an accomplice of a thief is an enemy of his own soul. He sh'ma ·hears obeys· an oath, but dares not testify.

Translation for Translators

Those who help thieves to steal only hurt themselves; when they are in court, they solemnly ask God to curse them if they do not tell the truth, but they do not tell the truth about the crime that was committed, and as a result, God will curse them.

Unlocked Literal Bible

One who shares with a thief hates his own life; he hears the curse and says nothing.

Noah Webster Bible

Whoever is partner with a thief, hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and discloseth it not.

World English Bible

Whoever is an accomplice of a thief is an enemy of his own soul. He takes an oath, but dares not testify.

Young's Literal Translation

Whoso is sharing with a thief is hating his own soul, Execration he heareth, and telleth not.

Context

The Flourishing of the Righteous

²³A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor. ²⁴A partner to a thief hates his own soul; he receives the oath, but does not testify.

Summary

This verse highlights the danger of being an accomplice to a thief, as it leads to self-destruction and brings shame and punishment. It warns against the consequences of condoning or participating in dishonest or sinful activities, emphasizing the importance of integrity and righteousness. By associating with those who engage in deceitful practices, one risks facing the same judgment and ruin. The verse serves as a cautionary reminder to choose companions wisely and to uphold moral values in all relationships.

Commentary

Keil-Delitzsch
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Matthew Henry
Tyndale

Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary

24 He that taketh part with a thief hateth himself; He heareth the oath and confesseth not. Hitzig renders the first member as the pred. of the second: "he who does not bring to light such sins as require an atonement (Lev 5:1.), but shares the secret of them with the sinner, is not better than one who is a partner with a thief, who hateth himself." The construction of the verse, he remarks, is not understood by any interpreter. It is not, however, so cross, - for, understood as Hitzig thinks it ought to be, the author should have expressed the subject by שׁמע אלה ולא יגיד, - but is simple as the order of the words and the verbal form require it. The oath is, after Lev 5:1, that of the judge who adjures the partner of the thief by God to tell the truth; but he conceals it, and burdens his soul with a crime worthy of death, for from a concealer he becomes in addition a perjured man.

John Gill Bible Commentary

Whoso is partner with a thief,.... That robs and steals, and raises away another man's property; which to do is sinful and contrary to the law of God, and punishable by it; and so it is to join with him in the theft, or to devise, or consent unto it; or to receive the stolen goods, or to hide and conceal them; or to hide the thief, or the theft, and not declare them; see Psa 50:18. Such an one hateth his own soul; that is, he is not careful of it, he is not concerned for its welfare as he should be; for otherwise no man, properly speaking, hates his own flesh or body, and much less his soul; but he is negligent of the good of it, and, for the sake of the mammon of unrighteousness, runs the risk of the ruin of it; by which he shows that he loves the world more than his own soul; when the profit of the whole world is nothing to the soul of man, Mat 16:26; see Pro 8:36; he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not; or "does not declare it" (b); he heareth the cursing of those that have lost their goods, and yet he does not declare where they are, and who is the author of the theft, though he knows; or, being suspected of being concerned in it, or, at least, of knowing who did it, be is had before a civil magistrate, and an oath is given him, which he takes, and yet he conceals the matter: which is an aggravation of his sin, and brings ruin to his soul. So the Targum, "an oath is determined (or brought to him) and he confesseth not.'' Some understand this of a distinct evil, of hearing cursing and swearing, and taking the name of God in vain, and blasphemy against him; yet, through fear of incurring the displeasure of men, and being reckoned a busy body, or through indifference and want of zeal for the glory of God, do not discover it, or inform of it, to a proper person, for the punishment of such; see Lev 5:1; and render the words (c), as "he that is partner with a thief hateth his own soul; so he that heareth cursing, and betrayeth it not." (b) "et non indicat", Junius & Tremellius, Mercerus, Cocceius, Schultens, Michaelis. (c) So Gejerus.

Proverbs 29:24

The Flourishing of the Righteous

²³A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor. ²⁴A partner to a thief hates his own soul; he receives the oath, but does not testify.

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

A partner to a thief hates his own soul; he receives the oath, but does not testify.

American Standard Version (1901)

Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul; He heareth the adjuration and uttereth nothing.

Bible in Basic English

A man who takes part with a thief has hate for his soul; he is put under oath, but says nothing.

Douay-Rheims 1899

He that is partaker with a thief, hateth his own soul: he heareth one putting him to his oath, and discovereth not.

Free Bible Version

A thief's partner hates his life; even under the threat of being cursed he can't tell the truth.

Geneva Bible 1599

He that is partner with a thiefe, hateth his owne soule: he heareth cursing, and declareth it not.

King James (Authorized) Version

Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.

One Unity Resource Bible

Whoever is an accomplice of a thief is an enemy of his own soul. He sh'ma ·hears obeys· an oath, but dares not testify.

Translation for Translators

Unlocked Literal Bible

One who shares with a thief hates his own life; he hears the curse and says nothing.

Noah Webster Bible

Whoever is partner with a thief, hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and discloseth it not.

World English Bible

Whoever is an accomplice of a thief is an enemy of his own soul. He takes an oath, but dares not testify.

Young's Literal Translation

Whoso is sharing with a thief is hating his own soul, Execration he heareth, and telleth not.

Keil-Delitzsch
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Matthew Henry
Tyndale

Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Proverbs 29:24

Verse

Context

The Flourishing of the Righteous

Summary

Commentary

Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Matthew Henry Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes

Proverbs 29:24

The Flourishing of the Righteous

Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Matthew Henry Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes