If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?
If you say, 'Look, we didn't know about it,' doesn't the One who understands the heart see right through that? The One who watches over your soul, doesn't He know the truth? Won't He give each person exactly what their actions deserve?
This verse is saying that God sees through our excuses when we claim ignorance to avoid responsibility, and He will judge us based on what we actually do.
📚 Historical Context
Proverbs is part of the Old Testament's Wisdom Literature, attributed to King Solomon in ancient Israel around 900 BC, as a collection of sayings designed to instruct people on righteous living and the fear of God. This verse specifically warns against pretending ignorance of wrongdoing, emphasizing that God, as the ultimate judge, sees into the heart and will hold individuals accountable for their actions. In the cultural context of ancient Hebrew society, such proverbs were used in everyday teaching to promote moral integrity and discourage deceit.
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