Pro 11:17 | NETfull | STEP | A kind person benefits himself, but a cruel person brings himself trouble.

Proverbs 11:17

17 A kind person ^{▼▼ Heb “man of kindness.”} ^{▼▼ This contrasts the “kind person” and the “cruel person” (one who is fierce, cruel), showing the consequences of their dispositions.} benefits ^{▼▼ The term גֹּמֶל (gomel) means “to deal fully [or “adequately”] with” someone or something. The kind person will benefit himself.} himself, ^{▼▼ Heb “his own soul.” The term נֶפֶשׁ (nefesh, “soul”) is used as a synecdoche of part (= soul) for the whole (= person): “himself” (BDB 660 s.v. 4).}
but a cruel person brings himself trouble. ^{▼▼ Heb “brings trouble to his flesh.”} ^{▼▼ There may be a conscious effort by the sage to contrast “soul” and “body”: He contrasts the benefits of kindness for the “soul” (translated “himself”) with the trouble that comes to the “flesh/body” (translated “himself”) of the cruel.}