Bible Strands
Proverbs 11:17
A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The book of Proverbs addresses the people of Israel with practical instruction on moral conduct and its direct consequences.
The words — חָ֑סֶד (Cha.sed) means loyalty or steadfast kindness, and עֹכֵ֥ר (o.Kher) means to uproot or trouble.
The thread — The text states that kindness yields personal benefit while cruelty yields self-inflicted harm; this pattern reappears where mercy is tied to receiving mercy (Matthew 5:7), inheriting the kingdom (Matthew 25:34), and prevailing over judgment (James 2:13).
Why it lands — The verse demands a practical decision: exercise kindness to secure your own well-being, and reject cruelty to prevent your own ruin.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
Cross-references
- Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
- Matthew 25:34 Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
- James 2:13 For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
- Psalms 41:1 For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Blessed is the one who cares for the poor; the LORD will deliver him in the day of trouble.
- Daniel 4:27 Therefore, may my advice be pleasing to you, O king. Break away from your sins by doing what is right, and from your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed. Perhaps there will be an extension of your prosperity.”
- Matthew 6:14 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
- 2 Corinthians 9:6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
- Philippians 4:17 Not that I am seeking a gift, but I am looking for the fruit that may be credited to your account.
- James 5:1 Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you.
- Job 20:19 For he has oppressed and forsaken the poor; he has seized houses he did not build.