A Verse Mapping Bible Study on Proverbs
For a review of the format for our Bible study, check out this post!
Week 42: Proverbs 11:17
The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
Scripture Memory
The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh. Proverbs 11:17
The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh. Proverbs 11:17
T__ m_______ m__ d____ g___ t_ h__ o__ s___: b__ h_ t___ i_ c____ t________ h__ o__ f____. Proverbs 11:17
Bible Context
Who?
King Solomon
When?
Early in his reign, after 970 B.C.
Why?
To apply God’s wisdom to daily life.
For whom?
Israelites (The Jewish People).
Word Studies
The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh. Proverbs 11:17
Merciful | חֶסֶד
ḥeseḏ
Pronunciation: kheh'-sed
Definition:
- goodness, kindness, faithfulness
- a reproach, shame
Translations:
- mercy 149x
- kindness 40x
- lovingkindness 30x
- merciful 4x
- pity 1x
Doeth Good | גָּמַל
gāmal
Pronunciation: gaw-mal'
Definition:
- to deal fully with, recompense
- to deal bountifully with
- to wean a child
- to ripen
Translations:
- wean 10x
- dealt bountifully 4x
- bestowed 2x
- do good 1x
Soul | נֶפֶשׁ
nep̄eš
Pronunciation: neh'-fesh
Definition:
- soul, self, person, mind, living being, desire
- the man himself, self, person or individual
- seat of emotions and passions
- activity of the mind, will, or character
Translations:
- soul 475x
- life 117x
- person 29x
- mind 15x
- body 8x
Troubleth | עָכַר
ʿāḵar
Pronunciation: aw-kar'
Definition:
- to trouble, stir up, disturb
- to be disturbed, be stirred up
- disturbance, calamity (participle)
Translations:
- trouble 12x
- stirred 1x
- troubler 1x
Flesh | שְׁאֵר
šᵊ'ēr
Pronunciation: sheh-ayr'
Definition:
- flesh, food, body, near kin, near kinswoman
- flesh as food
- flesh for physical power (fig)
- self
Translations:
- flesh 7x
- near kinswoman 2x
- food 1x
- near kin 1x
Paraphrase
The [good, kind, faithful] man [deals bountifully] to his own [self]: but he that is cruel [disturbs] his own [body]. Proverbs 11:17
Bible Cross References
Matthew 5:7
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Luke 6:38
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
James 2:13
For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
Reflections
About God
God is mercy – good, kind, faithful. We seek to become more like Christ, and these traits can only help us.
About Self
When I am cruel to others, or continue in my own sin, I am hurting myself most of all. Rather, I should be seeking to increase the “fruit of the Spirit” from Galations, which continue to draw me closer to Christ and fashion me more like Him.
Questions to Ask Myself
- What traits of mine are truly imitating Christ, and therefore “dealing bountifully” with me? What traits are cruel and harmful to my growth as a Christian?
