Charles Ellicott Commentary Proverbs 17:11

"An evil man seeketh only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him." — Proverbs 17:11 (ASV)

An evil man seeks only rebellion. —Or, A rebellious man (literally, rebellion; compare Ezekiel 2:7) seeks only evil.

A cruel messenger.— Such as the “chief of the executioners” , who was always ready to carry out the bidding of an Oriental king. (Compare 1 Kings 2:34; 1 Kings 2:46.) The ministers of the Divine wrath against impenitent sinners appear as “tormentors” in Matthew 18:34. (For the office of the angels in the same work, compare Revelation 8:6 and following.)