What is the meaning of Proverbs 16:29? A violent man • Scripture paints the “violent man” as someone who loves force, domination, and coercion. Proverbs 3:31 warns, “Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways,” underscoring that violence is not a neutral trait but an active rebellion against God’s order. • Such a person is driven by selfish ambition and anger (see James 3:14-16), making him the opposite of the peacemaker Jesus blesses in Matthew 5:9. • The verse begins by identifying the character at fault, reminding us that evil actions flow from an evil heart (Mark 7:21-23). entices his neighbor • “Entice” speaks of seduction and persuasion. Violence rarely operates alone; it looks for recruits. Proverbs 1:10-11 pictures sinners saying, “Come with us; let us lie in wait for blood,” illustrating how wrongdoing often starts with peer pressure. • The neighbor here may be unsuspecting, highlighting how evil exploits relationships meant for good (Leviticus 19:18). • Romans 1:32 notes that the wicked “give approval to those who practice” evil, showing the social pull of sin. and leads him • The violent man becomes a guide—an unsettling contrast to the Good Shepherd of John 10:3-4. • Leadership is influence; if the influencer is corrupt, the follower is endangered (Luke 6:39: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?”). • This stresses personal responsibility: we must choose carefully whom we follow (1 Corinthians 15:33). down a path • Scripture often pictures life as a pathway. Psalm 1:1-6 contrasts the way of the righteous with “the way of the wicked.” • Paths start with small steps. The violent man does not shove his neighbor off a cliff; he walks him forward one decision at a time, echoing Hebrews 3:13’s warning about sin’s “deceitfulness.” • Proverbs 4:14-15 urges, “Do not set foot on the path of the wicked…avoid it,” showing that the safest way to resist is never to begin. that is not good • The destination is plainly evil. Isaiah 5:20 condemns those who “call evil good and good evil,” yet the violent man’s influence blurs that line for his neighbor. • Every “not good” path ultimately opposes God’s will and leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14). • Proverbs 14:12 cautions, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death,” reminding us that appearances deceive. summary Proverbs 16:29 warns that a person marked by violence uses charm and persuasion to pull others into wrongdoing, step by step, toward inevitable harm. The verse calls each believer to reject violent influences, guard relationships, and stay on the righteous path laid out by the Lord. |
    |