Proverbs 17:11

11 Every bad man stirs up strifes: but the Lord will send out against him an unmerciful messenger.

Proverbs 17:11 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 17:11

An evil [man] seeketh only rebellion
For he seeks nothing but what is evil; and all sin is rebellion against God, a contempt of his laws, and a transgression of them; a trampling upon his legislative power and authority; an act of hostility against him, and a casting off allegiance to him. Or rather the words may be rendered, "rebellion", that is, "the rebellious man", so the Targum, the abstract for the concrete, "verily" or "only seeketh evil" F13; a man that is rebellious against his prince, that is of a rebellious disposition, is continually seeking to do mischief in the commonwealth; he is continually plotting and contriving destructive schemes, and stirring up sedition, and causing trouble; and so a rebel against God is always seeking that which is sinful, which is evil in its own nature, and contrary to the law and will of God; and in the issue brings the evil of punishment on himself; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him:
if a rebel against his lawful sovereign, a messenger shall be sent by him to take him into custody, who will show him no mercy; or an executioner to dispatch him, who will not spare to perform his orders: and if a rebel against God, some judgment of God shall fall upon him in a very severe manner; or his own conscience shall accuse him, and shall be filled with dreadful apprehensions of divine vengeance; or Satan, the angel of death, shall be let loose upon him, to terrify or destroy him; or death itself, which spares none. The Septuagint and Arabic versions ascribe this to God as his act, rendering it, "the Lord shall send" and so Aben Ezra; who also refers the former clause to him, and gives it as the sense of it; that he shall seek to do the rebellious man evil, inflict on him the evil of punishment for the evil of sin.


FOOTNOTES:

F13 (er vqby yrm Ka) "profecto rebellio quaeret malum", Montanus; so Schultens, Piscator, Tigurine version, Cocceius.

Proverbs 17:11 In-Context

9 He that conceals injuries seeks love; but he that hates to hide separates friends and kindred.
10 A threat breaks down the heart of a wise man; but a fool, though scourged, understands not.
11 Every bad man stirs up strifes: but the Lord will send out against him an unmerciful messenger.
12 Care may befall a man of understanding; but fools will meditate evils.
13 Whoso rewards evil for good, evil shall not be removed from his house.

The Brenton translation of the Septuagint is in the public domain.