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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Proverbs 17:11 An evil man seeks only rebellion; a cruel messenger will be sent against him.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/17-11.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/20_Pro_17_11.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 17:11 - Better a Dry Morsel in Quietness" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="An evil man seeks only rebellion; a cruel messenger will be sent against him." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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the messenger of death will be sent against them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/17.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Evil people are eager for rebellion, but they will be severely punished.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/17.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />An evil man seeks only rebellion, and a cruel messenger will be sent against him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/17.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />An evil man seeks only rebellion; a cruel messenger will be sent against him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/17.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />An evil <i>man</i> seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/17.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />An evil <i>man</i> seeks only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />A rebellious person seeks only evil, So a cruel messenger will be sent against him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/17.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />A rebellious man seeks only evil, So a cruel messenger will be sent against him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />A rebellious man seeks only evil, So a cruel messenger will be sent against him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />A rebellious man seeks only evil, So a cruel messenger will be sent against him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />A rebellious man seeks only evil; Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />An evil person desires only rebellion; a cruel messenger will be sent against him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />An evil man seeks only rebellion; a cruel messenger will be sent against him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/17.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />An evil man seeketh only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/17.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Cruel people want to rebel, and so vicious attackers will be sent against them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/17.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />An evil man seeketh only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />A rebel looks for nothing but evil. Therefore, a cruel messenger will be sent [to punish] him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/17.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Death will come like a cruel messenger to wicked people who are always stirring up trouble. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/17.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />A rebellious person seeks evil; a cruel emissary will be sent to oppose him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />An evil man seeks only rebellion; a cruel messenger will be sent against him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/17.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />An evil person seeks only rebellion, and so a cruel messenger will be sent against him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />An evil man seeks only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/17.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />An evil man seeks only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />An evil man seeks only rebellion, "" And a fierce messenger is sent against him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> An evil man seeketh only rebellion, And a fierce messenger is sent against him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />An evil one will seek only contradiction: and a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />An evil man always seeketh quarrels: but a cruel angel shall be sent against him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />The evil one continually seeks conflicts. But a cruel Angel shall be sent against him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/17.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The wicked pursue only rebellion, and a merciless messenger is sent against them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Evil people seek only rebellion, but a cruel messenger will be sent against them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />A quarrelsome man seeks mischief; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/17.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />A contentious man seeks evil and a merciless messenger is sent upon him.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/17.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />A rebellious man seeketh only evil; Therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/17.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Every bad man stirs up strifes: but the Lord will send out against him an unmerciful messenger.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/17-11.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=3376" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/17.htm">Better a Dry Morsel in Quietness</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">10</span>A rebuke cuts into a man of discernment deeper than a hundred lashes cut into a fool. <span class="reftext">11</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7451.htm" title="7451: rā‘ (Adj-ms) -- Bad, evil. From ra'a'; bad or evil.">An evil man</a> <a href="/hebrew/1245.htm" title="1245: yə·ḇaq·qeš- (V-Piel-Imperf-3ms) -- To seek. A primitive root; to search out; by implication, to strive after.">seeks</a> <a href="/hebrew/389.htm" title="389: ’aḵ- (Adv) -- Surely, howbeit. Akin to 'aken; a particle of affirmation, surely; hence only.">only</a> <a href="/hebrew/4805.htm" title="4805: mə·rî (N-ms) -- Rebellion. From marah; bitterness, i.e. rebellion; concretely, bitter, or rebellious.">rebellion;</a> <a href="/hebrew/394.htm" title="394: ’aḵ·zā·rî (Adj-ms) -- Cruel. From 'akzar; terrible.">a cruel</a> <a href="/hebrew/4397.htm" title="4397: ū·mal·’āḵ (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- A messenger. From an unused root meaning to despatch as a deputy; a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. An angel.">messenger</a> <a href="/hebrew/7971.htm" title="7971: yə·šul·laḥ- (V-Pual-Imperf-3ms) -- To send. A primitive root; to send away, for, or out.">will be sent against him.</a> <a href="/hebrew/bōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- "></a> </span><span class="reftext">12</span>It is better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-2.htm">Romans 13:2</a></span><br />Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/15-23.htm">1 Samuel 15:23</a></span><br />For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_thessalonians/2-8.htm">2 Thessalonians 2:8-12</a></span><br />And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the breath of His mouth and annihilate by the majesty of His arrival. / The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder, / and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-20.htm">Isaiah 1:20</a></span><br />But if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/2-10.htm">2 Peter 2:10</a></span><br />Such punishment is specially reserved for those who indulge the corrupt desires of the flesh and despise authority. Bold and self-willed, they are unafraid to slander glorious beings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/16-1.htm">Numbers 16:1-35</a></span><br />Now Korah son of Izhar, the son of Kohath son of Levi, along with some Reubenites—Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth—conducted / a rebellion against Moses, along with 250 men of Israel renowned as leaders of the congregation and representatives in the assembly. / They came together against Moses and Aaron and told them, “You have taken too much upon yourselves! For everyone in the entire congregation is holy, and the LORD is in their midst. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/10-26.htm">Hebrews 10:26-27</a></span><br />If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains, / but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume all adversaries.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/5-3.htm">Jeremiah 5:3</a></span><br />O LORD, do not Your eyes look for truth? You struck them, but they felt no pain. You finished them off, but they refused to accept discipline. They have made their faces harder than stone and refused to repent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/3-8.htm">2 Timothy 3:8</a></span><br />Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth. They are depraved in mind and disqualified from the faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/21-18.htm">Deuteronomy 21:18-21</a></span><br />If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and mother and does not listen to them when disciplined, / his father and mother are to lay hold of him and bring him to the elders of his city, to the gate of his hometown, / and say to the elders, “This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious; he does not obey us. He is a glutton and a drunkard.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-51.htm">Acts 7:51</a></span><br />You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/2-3.htm">Ezekiel 2:3-5</a></span><br />“Son of man,” He said to me, “I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against Me. To this very day they and their fathers have rebelled against Me. / They are obstinate and stubborn children. I am sending you to them, and you are to say to them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says.’ / And whether they listen or refuse to listen—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/21-41.htm">Matthew 21:41</a></span><br />“He will bring those wretches to a wretched end,” they replied, “and will rent out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him his share of the fruit at harvest time.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-16.htm">Hosea 4:16</a></span><br />For Israel is as obstinate as a stubborn heifer. Can the LORD now shepherd them like lambs in an open meadow?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/19-27.htm">Luke 19:27</a></span><br />And these enemies of mine who were unwilling for me to rule over them, bring them here and slay them in front of me.’”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">An evil man seeks only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/15-12.htm">2 Samuel 15:12</a></b></br> And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counseller, from his city, <i>even</i> from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/16-5.htm">2 Samuel 16:5-9</a></b></br> And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name <i>was</i> Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/18-15.htm">2 Samuel 18:15,19</a></b></br> And ten young men that bare Joab's armour compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/16-30.htm">Bent</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-10.htm">Cruel</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-4.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-17.htm">Fierce</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-9.htm">Merciless</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-14.htm">Messenger</a> <a href="/esther/1-8.htm">Official</a> <a href="/psalms/106-43.htm">Rebellion</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-11.htm">Rebellious</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-9.htm">Seeketh</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-9.htm">Seeks</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-2.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-5.htm">Trouble</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-18.htm">Uncontrolled</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/22-17.htm">Bent</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-16.htm">Cruel</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-13.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-23.htm">Fierce</a> <a href="/jeremiah/30-14.htm">Merciless</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-13.htm">Messenger</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-8.htm">Official</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-2.htm">Rebellion</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-21.htm">Rebellious</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-19.htm">Seeketh</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-19.htm">Seeks</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-10.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-17.htm">Trouble</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-28.htm">Uncontrolled</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 17</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/17-1.htm">Contrasts between the Righteous and the Wicked</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/17.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/17.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>An evil man seeks only rebellion;</b><br>The phrase "an evil man" refers to someone who is morally corrupt and opposed to God's ways. In biblical context, rebellion is often associated with sin and disobedience to God's commandments. The Bible frequently warns against rebellion, as seen in <a href="/1_samuel/15-23.htm">1 Samuel 15:23</a>, where rebellion is likened to the sin of divination. Historically, rebellion against God was a recurring issue for the Israelites, leading to their downfall and exile. This phrase underscores the idea that those who are set on rebellion are inherently opposed to divine order and righteousness.<p><b>a cruel messenger will be sent against him.</b><br>In ancient times, a "messenger" could be a literal envoy or a symbolic representation of judgment. The term "cruel" suggests harshness and severity, indicating that the consequences of rebellion are dire. This can be connected to the biblical principle of reaping what one sows, as seen in <a href="/galatians/6-7.htm">Galatians 6:7</a>. The "cruel messenger" can also be seen as a type of divine retribution, where God allows or sends judgment upon those who persist in their wickedness. This reflects the justice of God, who is patient but ultimately holds individuals accountable for their actions.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/evil_man.htm">Evil Man</a></b><br>Represents individuals who are characterized by wickedness and a rebellious spirit against God and His commandments.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/c/cruel_messenger.htm">Cruel Messenger</a></b><br>Symbolizes the consequences or divine judgment that comes upon those who persist in rebellion. This could be a literal messenger or a metaphor for the repercussions of one's actions.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_nature_of_rebellion.htm">The Nature of Rebellion</a></b><br>Rebellion is not just an act but a condition of the heart that opposes God’s authority. It is rooted in pride and self-will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_rebellion.htm">Consequences of Rebellion</a></b><br>Persistent rebellion invites divine judgment. The "cruel messenger" serves as a warning that God’s justice will prevail.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/call_to_repentance.htm">Call to Repentance</a></b><br>The verse serves as a call to examine our hearts for any rebellious tendencies and to seek repentance and alignment with God’s will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/submission_to_authority.htm">Submission to Authority</a></b><br>As believers, we are called to submit to God’s authority and the authorities He has established, recognizing that rebellion against them is rebellion against God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_justice_and_mercy.htm">God’s Justice and Mercy</a></b><br>While God is just and will judge rebellion, He is also merciful and offers forgiveness to those who repent and turn back to Him.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_17.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 17</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_a_'cruel_messenger'_fit_a_kind_deity.htm">Proverbs 17:11 describes a “cruel messenger” sent against rebels. How can this align with the notion of a benevolent deity? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_evil_people.htm">What is the Bible's view on evil people?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_satanism_beliefs.htm">What defines the beliefs and practices of Satanism?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/repay_evil_with_evil.htm">Should we repay evil with evil? (Proverbs 24:29 vs. Romans 12:17)</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/17.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(11) <span class= "bld">An evil man seeketh only rebellion.</span>--Or. <span class= "ital">A rebellious man </span>(literally, <span class= "ital">rebellion; </span>comp. <a href="/ezekiel/2-7.htm" title="And you shall speak my words to them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious.">Ezekiel 2:7</a>) <span class= "ital">seeketh only evil.</span><p><span class= "bld">A cruel messenger.--</span>Such as the "chief of the executioners" (margin of <a href="/genesis/37-36.htm" title="And the Midianites sold him into Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, and captain of the guard.">Genesis 37:36</a>), who was always ready to carry out the bidding of an Oriental king. (Comp. <a href="/1_kings/2-34.htm" title="So Benaiah the son of Jehoiada went up, and fell on him, and slew him: and he was buried in his own house in the wilderness.">1Kings 2:34</a>; <a href="/1_kings/2-46.htm" title="So the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; which went out, and fell on him, that he died. And the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.">1Kings 2:46</a>.) The ministers of the Divine wrath against impenitent sinners appear as "tormentors" in <a href="/matthew/18-34.htm" title="And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due to him.">Matthew 18:34</a>. (For the office of the angels in the same work, comp. <a href="/revelation/8-6.htm" title="And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.">Revelation 8:6</a>, <span class= "ital">sqq.</span>) . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 11.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">An evil man seeketh only rebellion.</span> So the Greek and Latin Versions; but, as Nowack intimates, a bad man seeks many other things which do not come directly in the category of rebellion; and it is better to take <span class="accented">meri</span>, "rebellion," as the subject, regarding it as put for the concrete, thus: "A rebellious man striveth only for what is evil." From the point of view of an Eastern potentate, this is true enough. Absolute government looks upon any rising against constituted authority, any movement in the masses, as necessarily evil, and to be repressed with a high hand. Hence the succeeding clause. <span class="cmt_word">Therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.</span> The "cruel messenger" (<a href="/proverbs/16-14.htm">Proverbs 16:14</a>) is the executioner of the king's wrath (comp. <a href="/1_kings/2-29.htm">1 Kings 2:29</a>, etc.). He is called "cruel" because his errand is deadly, and he is pitiless in its performance. This seems to be the sense intended. The LXX. gives a different notion, derived from the ambiguous term <span class="accented">malak</span>, like the Greek <span class="greek">ἄγγελος</span>: "The Lord will send forth a pitiless angel against him." The verse then becomes a statement concerning the retribution inflicted by God on obstinate sinners, such as Pharaoh and the Egyptians. These are delivered over to "the tormentors" (<a href="/matthew/18-34.htm">Matthew 18:34</a>), the angels that execute the wrath of God, as in <a href="/psalms/78-49.htm">Psalm 78:49</a> and <a href="/revelation/8-6.htm">Revelation 8:6</a>, etc. As all sin is rebellion against God, it is natural to read into the passage a religious meaning, and for homiletical purposes it is legitimate to do so. But the writer's intention is doubtless as explained above, though his language may be divinely directed to afford a further application. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/17-11.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">An evil [man]</span><br /><span class="heb">רָ֑ע</span> <span class="translit">(rā‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7451.htm">Strong's 7451: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bad, evil</span><br /><br /><span class="word">seeks</span><br /><span class="heb">יְבַקֶּשׁ־</span> <span class="translit">(yə·ḇaq·qeš-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1245.htm">Strong's 1245: </a> </span><span class="str2">To search out, to strive after</span><br /><br /><span class="word">only</span><br /><span class="heb">אַךְ־</span> <span class="translit">(’aḵ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_389.htm">Strong's 389: </a> </span><span class="str2">A particle of affirmation, surely</span><br /><br /><span class="word">rebellion;</span><br /><span class="heb">מְרִ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(mə·rî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4805.htm">Strong's 4805: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bitterness, rebellion, bitter, rebellious</span><br /><br /><span class="word">so a cruel</span><br /><span class="heb">אַ֝כְזָרִ֗י</span> <span class="translit">(’aḵ·zā·rî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_394.htm">Strong's 394: </a> </span><span class="str2">Terrible</span><br /><br /><span class="word">messenger</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמַלְאָ֥ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(ū·mal·’āḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4397.htm">Strong's 4397: </a> </span><span class="str2">A messenger, of God, an angel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will be sent against him.</span><br /><span class="heb">יְשֻׁלַּח־</span> <span class="translit">(yə·šul·laḥ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Pual - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7971.htm">Strong's 7971: </a> </span><span class="str2">To send away, for, out</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/17-11.htm">Proverbs 17:11 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/17-11.htm">Proverbs 17:11 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/17-11.htm">Proverbs 17:11 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/17-11.htm">Proverbs 17:11 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/17-11.htm">Proverbs 17:11 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/17-11.htm">Proverbs 17:11 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/17-11.htm">Proverbs 17:11 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/17-11.htm">Proverbs 17:11 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/17-11.htm">Proverbs 17:11 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/17-11.htm">Proverbs 17:11 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/17-11.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 17:11 An evil man seeks only rebellion (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/17-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 17:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 17:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/17-12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 17:12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 17:12" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>