💡WEB · Proverbs 17:15
What does Proverbs 17:15 mean?
"He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh."
— Proverbs 17:15 (World English Bible)
Surrounding context
Let a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
Whoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out.
He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh.
Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, since he has no understanding?
A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity.
A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbor.
Explanation
Proverbs 17:15 states a simple moral principle: when someone declares a guilty person innocent, or declares an innocent person guilty, both acts are equally detestable to God. The verse pairs two opposite miscarriages of justice—acquitting the wicked and condemning the righteous—and says God views them as morally equivalent. This is striking, because we often think of letting a guilty person go free as more merciful or less serious than punishing an innocent person, but the proverb insists both are the same kind of offense: a corruption of truth and justice.
The book of Proverbs is a collection of wisdom sayings traditionally attributed largely to Solomon, compiled for instruction in Israel, particularly aimed at training the young and guiding those in positions of responsibility—judges, elders, kings, and ordinary people navigating daily life. Many proverbs, like this one, address the administration of justice, since ancient Israelite society depended on local elders, judges, and witnesses to render fair verdicts at the city gate. Corruption in these courts—through bribery, favoritism, or fear—was a real and recurring problem addressed throughout the Old Testament (see also Exodus 23:6-8, Deuteronomy 25:1, Isaiah 5:23). This verse fits within that broader biblical concern for honest judicial process.
Theologically, the verse reveals something about God's character: he is not merely concerned with outcomes but with truth and righteousness in judgment. Justice, in the biblical view, is not a matter of leniency or harshness as ends in themsel
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