Proverbs 17:11

An evil person seeks only rebellion, ¹  and so ²  a cruel messenger ³  will be sent against him.

2Sa 15:12; 2Sa 16:5-9; 2Sa 18:15,19; 2Sa 20:1,22; 1Ki 2:24,25,31,46; Mt 21:41; Mt 22:7; Lu 19:27

¹ sn The proverb is set up in a cause and effect relationship. The cause is that evil people seek rebellion. The term מְרִי (mÿri) means “rebellion.” It is related to the verb מָרָה (marah, “to be contentious; to be rebellious; to be refractory”). BDB 598 s.v. מְרִי translates the line “a rebellious man seeketh only evil” (so NASB).

² tn The parallelism seems to be formal, with the idea simply continuing to the second line; the conjunction is therefore translated to reflect this. However, the proverb could be interpreted as antithetical just as easily.

³ sn Those bent on rebellion will meet with retribution. The messenger could very well be a merciless messenger from the king; but the expression could also figuratively describe something God sends – storms, pestilence, or any other misfortune.