Proverbs 1:16
For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.
Cross-references
Proverbs 1:11 is the sinners' invitation to ambush the innocent, which leads directly to the rushing to evil in verse 16.
Proverbs 4:16 describes evildoers who cannot rest until they do evil — amplifying the same portrayal of rushing into sin in Proverbs 1:16.
Proverbs 6:18 lists 'feet that are quick to rush into evil' — a direct parallel to the description of sinners' feet in Proverbs 1:16.
Proverbs 19:2 uses the same 'haste with feet' image, warning that rushing leads to missing the way – a contrast to the wicked's deliberate evil.
Proverbs 11:19 warns that pursuing evil leads to death, which is the eventual outcome for those who rush to shed blood.
Isaiah 59:7 uses almost identical language about feet rushing into sin and shedding blood — echoing the description of evildoers in Proverbs 1:16.
Genesis 27:41 shows Esau plotting to kill Jacob—a concrete example of making haste to shed blood.
Genesis 37:20 records Joseph's brothers conspiring to kill him—directly illustrating the rush to shed blood.
Genesis 49:6 condemns Simeon and Levi for killing in anger—a specific case of the violent haste described.
Exodus 1:22 commands drowning Hebrew boys—an official policy of shedding blood, matching the proverb's description.
In Esther 3:15, Haman's decree to destroy the Jews is issued hastily, with couriers rushing out, exemplifying the haste to shed blood here.
In Psalm 59:4, the wicked run and prepare to attack the psalmist, directly echoing the haste to shed blood described here.
Psalm 94:21 shows the wicked banding together to condemn the innocent to death, matching the eagerness to shed blood.
In Jeremiah 41:7, Ishmael and his men slaughter Gedaliah's followers, a clear instance of the reckless shedding of blood described here.
Romans 3:15 quotes a similar phrase ('feet swift to shed blood') as part of Paul’s indictment of universal human sinfulness.
Matthew 14:8 records the request for John the Baptist's head, illustrating the eagerness to shed blood present in evil schemes.