Proverbs – Lesson 23 – Hands That Shed Innocent Blood (October 21, 2026)

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Proverbs: God’s Handbook for His Image Bearers – October 21, 2026

Lesson 23 – Proverbs 6:16–19

Seven Things God Hates – Hands That Shed Innocent Blood

Setting

In our previous sermon, we defined two words Solomon used referring to God’s attitude toward sin.

• Hate

• Abomination

Proverbs 6:16 16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

 

Hate

The Hebrew word Solomon uses for hate means active, personal opposition.

God’s hatred is not emotional outrage. It is a settled, determined opposition rooted in His holy nature.

When God hates something, He actively opposes it and brings judgment against it.

Hate is grounded in God’s holiness and justice. God hates anything that despises, detests, or disregards His standards.

God’s hatred coexists with His mercy. He hates sin and the sinner, yet He does not delight in the death of anyone and desires that all sinners turn to Him and live.

Abomination

Abomination denotes something deeply repugnant, detestable, and utterly loathsome to God.

God is set against these things with the intensity of disgust and revulsion.

Deuteronomy 7:25–26 describes an abomination as “a cursed thing” that one should “utterly detest” and “utterly abhor.”

The term carries a sense of ritual or moral uncleanness. It marks something fundamentally incompatible with God’s presence and character.

The progression from “hate” to “abomination” in verse 16 intensifies the divine response. What God hates, He finds utterly abhorrent, and such things invite His judgment and removal from His presence.

The previous two lessons covered the first two items on the list of things God hates:

• A Proud Look
• A Lying Tongue

His intention was to fill the earth with His image bearers—sin distorts God’s image.

The previous lesson discussed the sin of a proud look. Pride was the original sin and the root of the remaining sins in Solomon’s list.

Next On The List

Proverbs 6:17 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

 

Hands That Shed Innocent Blood

Question:     What does this phrase describe?

 

In the Bible, there is a close association between the blood in the body and life in the body.

God stated that the life of the body is in the blood. Leviticus 17:11

Leviticus 17:11 11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.

 

Again in Deut 12:23

Deuteronomy 12:23 23 Only be sure that thou eat not the blood: for the blood is the life; and thou mayest not eat the life with the flesh.

 

When the blood leaves the body, so does life.

The phrase “Shed Blood” is a reference to the taking of life.

This is the third item on Solomon’s list of things that God hates.

Question:    Why does Solomon include the word “Innocent” – Hands that shed innocent blood?

 

The Hebrew word underlying “innocent” in this verse is nāqî (נקי), which fundamentally means “free from guilt” or “blameless”—describing someone who has done nothing to deserve harm or punishment.

The innocent person is one who committed no offense that would justify their death.

 

Cain & Abel

The Bible records the very first time a human was responsible for the shedding of innocent blood. In Gen 4:8 we are told that Cain slew his brother Abel. Cain was angry at God and jealous of his brother. But Abel was innocent, meaning he had committed no crime or wrong against his brother.

This was the first case when innocent blood was shed. And we already know that both Cain and Abel were made in the image and likeness of God. This fact makes murder even more sinful.

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

 

God points to the fact man was made in His image as why murder is sinful. When we attack, harm, or murder the image of God, it is an attack on God.

Illustration

Imagine you were a king or queen over a nation. You provided food, shelter, protection and love for the people in your kingdom.

Now imagine the people of your kingdom want you honored in every city but it is not possible for you to personally be present everywhere. You decide to commission statues of yourself to be placed in the heart of your kingdom. People come there and honor you by honoring the statue (image/likeness) of you.

But one day, a few citizens come to your statue and attack it. By force they break it down, and demolish it. Would those people be guilty of treason?

Many kings and queens would consider this treason, an attack against them personally, and against their rulership.

God declares an attack on His image bearers as an attack on Himself.

 

Question:    Does God ever condone the taking of life?

 

Yes! And in some cases, God commands it.

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

 

God instituted capital punishment. He commanded Israel to implement this practice as they were to model His righteousness to all nations. Ex 21:23

Exodus 21:23 23 And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life,

 

Leviticus 24:17 17 And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death.

 

Conflict or Confusion

Some people are confused when it comes to this law of life for life. They argue that if it is wrong to take the life of someone then it is equally wrong to take the life of a person who commits murder.

BUT, that reasoning is flawed. God’s command is against those who shed innocent blood.

The keyword being “innocent.” Once a person commits the crime of murder, they are guilty, not innocent. And they are deserving of the punishment stated in the verses above.

God set protective boundaries in place for those who accidentally cause the death of another person.

Deuteronomy 19:4–6 4 And this is the case of the slayer, which shall flee thither, that he may live: Whoso killeth his neighbour ignorantly, whom he hated not in time past; 5 As when a man goeth into the wood with his neighbour to hew wood, and his hand fetcheth a stroke with the axe to cut down the tree, and the head slippeth from the helve, and lighteth upon his neighbour, that he die; he shall flee unto one of those cities, and live: 6 Lest the avenger of the blood pursue the slayer, while his heart is hot, and overtake him, because the way is long, and slay him; whereas he was not worthy of death, inasmuch as he hated him not in time past.

 

God appointed specific cities of refuge that a person could run to if they accidentally caused the death of another person. That city was responsible for protecting the person from the deceased’s next of kin who came seeking to avenge the death of their family member.

This means a person who accidentally caused the death of another person is not deserving of death and must be protected.

But, the person who intentionally caused the death of another person is deserving of death and must be punished.

If we return to our key text in Proverbs 6:17, we remember that God hates hands that shed innocent blood.

Proverbs 6:17 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

 

In a previous lesson we learned the word used for hate meant God is actively opposed to.

We also learned these are called an abomination to God. This means it is something so detestable and loathsome to God.

What Is Murder?

The taking of an innocent person’s life.

 

This is the Biblical reason to oppose abortion.

Question:   Does God consider abortion murder?

 

In Luke 1:41 we learn that Elizabeth was pregnant with John the Baptist when Mary came to visit her. When Mary spoke to Elizabeth, John leaped in her womb.

Luke 1:41 41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

 

When Elizabeth responded to Mary, she stated that the baby in her womb both heard Mary’s voice and expressed joy.

Luke 1:44 44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

 

Question:    What does this teach us about when life begins?

 

Life begins in the womb. John was a baby capable of hearing a voice and responding with joy.

There Is More

The Bible also teaches this concept in the Old Testament. God, through Moses, orders the nation of Israel to apply the “Life for Life” punishment when an unborn baby is injured or killed.

Exodus 21:22–25 (HCSB) 22 “When men get in a fight and hit a pregnant woman so that her children are born prematurely but there is no injury, the one who hit her must be fined as the woman’s husband demands from him, and he must pay according to judicial assessment. 23 If there is an injury, then you must give life for life, 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burn for burn, bruise for bruise, wound for wound.

 

Our studies have already shown that God governed the laws of Israel so that every punishment fits the crime. This ensures that every crime is punished equally to the offense. This prevents emotions from going too far in punishment or too light on punishment.

In this case, if a life was lost (even the baby) then the offender paid with their life. This teaches us how God views life in the womb, as well as how He views abortion.

What About Genocide?

Genocide is the attempt to eliminate a group of people based on their nationality or ethnic group. More precisely, it involves the deliberate and systematic annihilation of a national, racial, political, or cultural group, typically accomplished through mass murder.

 

Wars have been fought to promote or prevent the practice of genocide.

Because every person is made in the image and likeness of God, and God has a plan to bring every nation, language, and people group into His kingdom, Christians must stand against all forms of genocide.

What About War?

Because we live in a sinful world, war is a reality. Actually, we are living in a cosmic war between the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan.

The reality of war means people die as a result. War places soldiers in the position of kill or be killed. And furthermore, kill or the person will kill other people you are there to protect.

This leads to the question of Just War Theory.

Just War Theory is a Christian way of thinking about when a nation may be morally justified in going to war and how it should conduct itself during war. It recognizes that governments have a God-given responsibility to protect innocent life and restrain evil, while also recognizing the terrible cost of taking human life.

 

In simple terms, a war can be considered just when several basic conditions are met:

• There must be a just cause, such as defending people from an unjust attack.
• War should be authorized by a legitimate governing authority, rather than individuals taking vengeance into their own hands.
• The purpose should be to restore peace and justice, rather than conquest, revenge, or greed.
• War should be a last resort after reasonable peaceful efforts have failed.
• The force used should be proportionate to the threat.
• Soldiers should distinguish between those participating in the fighting and innocent civilians and seek to protect innocent life.

The basic idea is this: because human life bears God’s image, taking life is always serious. Yet because evil can threaten and destroy innocent life, there are circumstances in which governing authorities may use force to protect people and restrain those doing evil. Romans 13:1–4 is an important biblical passage in this discussion because it describes government as having authority from God to punish wrongdoing.

Romans 13:1–4 1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

 

The mention of the sword in vs 4 is a reference to deadly force. God authorizes deadly force when necessary to prevent evil or prevent innocent death.

What About Sin?

Did you know God actually assigned the death sentence to multiple types of sins? Here are a few:

Sin	Description	Scripture
Murder	Intentionally and unlawfully killing another person.	Exodus 21:12–14; Numbers 35:16–21
Kidnapping	Stealing a person, including holding or selling that person.	Exodus 21:16; Deuteronomy 24:7
Striking a Parent	Physically attacking one’s father or mother.	Exodus 21:15
Cursing a Parent	Seriously and deliberately cursing one’s father or mother.	Exodus 21:17; Leviticus 20:9
Adultery	Sexual relations with another person’s spouse.	Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:22
Incest	Sexual relations within certain close family relationships forbidden by God.	Leviticus 20:11–12, 14
Homosexual Intercourse	Sexual relations between two males.	Leviticus 20:13
Bestiality	Sexual relations between a person and an animal.	Exodus 22:19; Leviticus 20:15–16
Rape	Forcing sexual relations upon a woman pledged to another man.	Deuteronomy 22:25–27
Persistent Rebellion Against Parents	A son continuing in serious and defiant rebellion after discipline, with the case brought before the elders of the city.	Deuteronomy 21:18–21
Sabbath Violation	Deliberately violating the Sabbath command God gave Israel.	Exodus 31:14–15; Numbers 15:32–36
Idolatry	Worshiping or serving another god.	Deuteronomy 13:6–10; 17:2–5
Child Sacrifice	Offering one’s children to Molech.	Leviticus 20:2–5
Blasphemy	Cursing the name of the LORD.	Leviticus 24:15–16
False Prophecy	Claiming to speak for God while speaking falsely or leading people to other gods.	Deuteronomy 13:1–5; 18:20
Witchcraft	Practicing forbidden occult activity.	Exodus 22:18
Mediumship	Seeking communication with spirits or the dead.	Leviticus 20:27
Unauthorized Approach to God’s Sanctuary	Entering or performing sacred duties that God had specifically restricted.	Numbers 1:51; 3:10, 38
Defying God’s Appointed Court	Refusing to obey the final judgment given through Israel’s established judicial authority.	Deuteronomy 17:8–13

 

Disclaimer

This was God’s law for the nation of Israel. It teaches us the seriousness of sin and God’s attitude toward sin. The death sentence was the responsibility of the government, never vigilantes. Our government does not practice many of these penalties but the principles they teach us about God and sin are valuable.

 

Conclusion

God hates the shedding of innocent blood, but that does not mean all killing is wrong:

• Killing to protect life is justified
• Death penalty for murder is biblical

Discussion How does this lesson help you understand the difference in justified killing and murder of innocent life?