Proverbs 11:17

Proverbs 11:17 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
• New International Version (NIV)Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.
• English Standard Version (ESV)A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.
• New King James Version (NKJV)The merciful man does good for his own soul, But he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.

Context of Proverbs 11:17

15It goeth ill with him that is surety for another; but he that hateth suretyship is secure. 16A gracious woman retaineth honour; and the violent retain riches. The merciful man doeth good to his own soul; but the cruel troubleth his own flesh. 18The wicked worketh a deceitful work; but he that soweth righteousness hath a sure reward. 19As righteousness [tendeth] to life, so he that pursueth evil [doeth it] to his own death.

Proverbs 11:17 word by word

גֹּמֵ֣ל נַ֭פְשׁוֹ אִ֣ישׁ חָ֑סֶד וְעֹכֵ֥ר שְׁ֝אֵר֗וֹ אַכְזָרִֽי׃Read the interlinear

• manאִישׁ'îysh · manH376
• soulנֶ֫פֶשׁnephesh · soulH5315
• cruelאַכְזָרִי'akzârîy · cruelH394
• fleshשְׁאֵרshe'êr · fleshH7607

Cross-references for Proverbs 11:17

• Psalms 41:1Blessed is he that understandeth the poor: Jehovah will deliver him in the day of evil.
• Psalms 112:4Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness; he is gracious, and merciful, and righteous.
• Isaiah 32:7The instruments also of the churl are evil: he deviseth wicked devices to destroy the meek with lying words, even when the needy speaketh right.
• Isaiah 57:1The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart; and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from before the evil.
• Isaiah 58:7Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring to thy house the needy wanderers; when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
• Daniel 4:27Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.
• Matthew 5:7Blessed the merciful, for they shall find mercy.
• Matthew 6:14For if ye forgive men their offences, your heavenly Father also will forgive you [yours],
• Matthew 25:34Then shall the King say to those on his right hand, Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from [the] world's foundation:
• Luke 6:38Give, and it shall be given to you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall be given into your bosom: for with the same measure with which ye mete it shall be measured to you again.
• 2 Corinthians 9:6But this [is true], he that sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that sows in [the spirit of] blessing shall reap also in blessing:
• Philippians 4:17Not that I seek gift, but I seek fruit abounding to your account.
• Proverbs 15:27He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
• Job 20:19For he hath oppressed, hath forsaken the poor; he hath violently taken away a house that he did not build.
• Ecclesiastes 4:8There is one [alone] and without a second; also he hath neither son nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour, neither is his eye satisfied with riches, and [he saith not], For whom then am I labouring, and depriving my soul of good? This also is vanity and a grievous occupation.
• James 2:13for judgment [will be] without mercy to him that has shewn no mercy. Mercy glories over judgment.

Commentaries on Proverbs 11:17

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17The merciful man doeth good to his own soul - Every gracious disposition is increased while a man is exercised in showing mercy. No man can show an act of disinterested mercy without benefiting his own soul, by improving his moral feeling. But he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh - We seldom see a peevish, fretful, vindictive man either in good health, or good plight of body. I have often heard it observed of such, "He frets his flesh off his bones."Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 17Verse 17 A cruel, froward, ill-natured man, is vexatious to those that are, and should be to him as his own flesh, and punishes himself.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1717. merciful--kind to others; opposed to cruel. Such benefit themselves by doing good to others (compare Pr 24:5), while the cruel injure themselves as well as others. flesh--that is, his body, by penuriousness (Col 2:23).Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 11:17

• Malice
• Mercy

In the dictionaries

• Poetry
• Profit
• Pursue
• Scatter
• Secret
• Smart
• Suretiship
• Surety
• Void
• Achan

Commentaries on Proverbs 11

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings