Proverbs 24:11-12, “If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; 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?”
Pastor Harry Ironside (1876-1961) has this to comment about Proverbs 24:11-12...
These verses seem to refer to a mode of execution once prevalent in Syria and Palestine. Muenscher says, “When a criminal was anciently led to execution, a crier went before, who proclaimed the crime of which he had been convicted, and called upon any one who could say anything in behalf of the condemned culprit, to come forward; in which case, he was led back to the tribunal and the cause was re-heard.” To selfishly withhold information that could save the condemned man's life, would be to stand with Cain and ask, “Am I my brother's keeper?” (Genesis 4:9) But the great Judge of all who ponders the heart would be witness against the one who acted so perfidiously and would assuredly render judgment. SOURCE“Perfidiously” means to act in a treacherous or disloyal manner, often involving deceit or betrayal. It is derived from the word “perfidious,” which implies a lack of faithfulness or reliability. To fail to speak up when you posses information that could exonerate an accused person is a grave sin in God's sight. That is what the Bible means in Proverbs 24:11-12.
