Bible Strands
Proverbs 17:26
It is surely not good to punish the innocent or to flog a noble for his honesty.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The wisdom writer addresses readers within a structured collection of maxims, positioning this saying between a warning about a foolish son and an instruction on restraining speech.
The words — עֲנ֣וֹשׁ (a.No.osh) literally means "to impose a fine" or punish, and נְדִיבִ֣ים (ne.di.Vim) means "noble" or "leaders," both anchoring the verse’s focus on unjust legal penalties.
The thread — The condemnation of penalizing the upright runs through Proverbs 17:15 and Proverbs 18:5, while John 18:22 merely records an officer striking Jesus, an event that immediately precedes a verbal rebuke for unjust treatment.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to reject corrupt judicial practices and refuse to penalize individuals for their integrity or social standing.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 17:15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous—both are detestable to the LORD.
- Proverbs 18:5 Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice.
- John 18:22 When Jesus had said this, one of the officers standing nearby slapped Him in the face and said, “Is this how You answer the high priest?”
- Job 34:18 who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’
- Genesis 18:25 Far be it from You to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?”
- 2 Samuel 3:39 And I am weak this day, though anointed as king, and these men, the sons of Zeruiah, are too fierce for me. May the LORD repay the evildoer according to his evil!”
- Micah 5:1 Now, O daughter of troops, mobilize your troops; for a siege is laid against us! With a rod they will strike the cheek of the judge of Israel.
- 2 Samuel 3:23 When Joab and all his troops arrived, he was informed, “Abner son of Ner came to see the king, who sent him on his way in peace.”
- 2 Samuel 16:7 And as he yelled curses, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you worthless man of bloodshed!
- 2 Samuel 19:7 Now therefore get up! Go out and speak comfort to your servants, for I swear by the LORD that if you do not go out, not a man will remain with you tonight. This will be worse for you than all the adversity that has befallen you from your youth until now!”