Proverbs 11:17 kjv

The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.

Proverbs 11:17 nkjv

The merciful man does good for his own soul, But he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.

Proverbs 11:17 niv

Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.

Proverbs 11:17 esv

A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.

Proverbs 11:17 nlt

Your kindness will reward you,
but your cruelty will destroy you.

Proverbs 11 verses

Proverbs 11 17 Meaning

Proverbs 11:17 declares that acts of kindness and mercy intrinsically benefit the one who performs them, leading to deep personal well-being, represented by "soul." Conversely, a person characterized by cruelty or lack of compassion inflicts harm upon themselves, causing distress, ruin, or trouble to their "flesh" or physical and practical existence. The verse reveals a fundamental principle of spiritual and personal consequence, asserting that one's disposition and actions towards others inevitably determine their own internal and external state.

Proverbs 11 17 Context

Proverbs chapter 11 presents a strong theological and ethical framework that systematically contrasts the destiny of the righteous with that of the wicked. It emphasizes divine justice, where moral actions bear predictable, intrinsic consequences, both immediate and ultimate. Key themes throughout the chapter include honesty, humility, righteousness, generosity, and wisdom, each shown to lead to life and flourishing, in direct opposition to their counterparts: deceit, pride, wickedness, greed, and folly, which inevitably lead to shame, poverty, and destruction. Verse 17 directly participates in this pattern by articulating how merciful deeds secure inner prosperity, whereas cruel actions sow seeds of self-harm. It underscores that personal well-being is not external or random but is directly tied to the ethical choices and character of the individual.

Proverbs 11 17 Word analysis

• A merciful man: Refers to אִישׁ חֶסֶד ('ish chesed) in Hebrew.
  • אִישׁ (ish): Individual; person.
  • חֶסֶד (chesed): Often translated as "steadfast love," "loving-kindness," or "mercy." It signifies a deep, loyal, and active form of love that demonstrates concrete, benevolent action, reflecting God's own covenant faithfulness and kindness. This implies not just a feeling, but a consistent practice of active compassion and benevolence towards others.
  • Significance: It highlights a character trait embodying loyal, generous care.
• doeth good: The Hebrew verb is גָּמַל (gamal).
  • גָּמַל (gamal): To deal bountifully with; to confer benefit upon; to ripen; to wean. It describes an active impartation of something positive.
  • Significance: The kind person actively bestows benefit, which returns to them.
• to his own soul: The Hebrew is נַפְשׁוֹ (naphshō).
  • נַפְשׁוֹ (naphshō): "His soul"; referring to the inner being, the vital force, the personality, the self. It denotes the holistic person, encompassing mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects.
  • Significance: Mercy leads to profound, intrinsic well-being and inner flourishing, affecting the entire person, not just external circumstances.
• but he that is cruel: The Hebrew is אַכְזָרִי (akhzarī).
  • אַכְזָרִי (akhzarī): Cruel; ruthless; fierce; brutal. This describes a character marked by harshness, lack of pity, and severity in their treatment of others.
  • Significance: Directly opposes chesed; this person is hard-hearted and devoid of empathy.
• troubleth: The Hebrew verb is עָכַר ('akar).
  • עָכַר ('akar): To trouble; to disturb; to muddy; to pollute; to bring disaster upon; to stir up agitation or confusion. It signifies disrupting peace or causing ruin.
  • Significance: Cruelty does not bring peace; it disrupts and brings distress upon the perpetrator's own life, analogous to making water turbid.
• his own flesh: The Hebrew is שְׁאֵרוֹ (shě'ērō).
  • שְׁאֵרוֹ (shě'ērō): "His flesh"; referring to the physical body and, by extension, one's tangible existence, health, practical life, and external circumstances.
  • Significance: While "soul" is holistic, "flesh" points to more observable, often painful consequences such as physical suffering, mental anguish, relational breakdown, or material decline resulting from cruelty.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• A merciful man doeth good to his own soul: This phrase conveys that proactive, loyal kindness (chesed) inherently produces positive outcomes for the doer's entire being. The benefits are deeply internal and spiritual, fostering peace, growth, and genuine life within the person. This highlights an ethical economy where compassion is self-enriching.
• but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh: In stark contrast, this phrase reveals the self-destructive nature of malice. The individual characterized by cruelty inflicts distress and ruin upon their own tangible existence and physical self. The negative actions, originating from within, manifest in harmful consequences for the perpetrator's health, peace, relationships, or reputation.

Proverbs 11 17 Bonus section

The active and reciprocal nature of the verbs in Proverbs 11:17 – "doeth good" and "troubleth" – underscores that the outcomes are not just passive receipts but active results generated by the character and actions of the individual. It's a statement about cause and effect rooted in moral agency. This verse transcends mere worldly gain or loss, highlighting the spiritual reality that one's internal state (soul) is nourished by grace, while bitterness and hatred deplete and harm the more tangible aspects of one's life (flesh). The truth embedded here is foundational to biblical anthropology and theology, indicating that humans are holistic beings whose moral choices affect every dimension of their existence, consistent with the principle of "reaping what you sow" found throughout Scripture.

Proverbs 11 17 Commentary

Proverbs 11:17 offers a profound insight into God's moral order, revealing that the inherent consequences of our actions ripple back upon ourselves. It is a wisdom declaration that mercy is ultimately self-beneficial, and cruelty is self-harming. The "merciful man," an 'ish chesed, exemplifies divine attributes of faithful love and kindness. By consistently extending grace and generosity, such a person cultivates inner flourishing and profound contentment for their "soul," embracing a holistic well-being that permeates their entire being. This benefit is not merely an external reward but an internal consequence—kindness fosters a positive inner state. Conversely, the "cruel" person, who lacks compassion and acts harshly, engages in a self-sabotaging behavior. Their malicious actions "trouble" or 'akar their "flesh," bringing forth various forms of physical distress, mental anguish, relational alienation, or material detriment. The suffering inflicted on others returns to afflict the self. This proverb articulates an immutable truth: how we treat others reflects and determines the state of our own hearts and lives, reinforcing that virtue is its own profound reward, and wickedness carries its own inherent punishment.