Lexical Summary akzari: cruel, cruel man, cruel one Original Word: אַכְזָרִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance cruel one From 'akzar; terrible -- cruel (one). see HEBREW 'akzar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom akzar Definition cruel NASB Translation cruel (5), cruel man (1), cruel one (1), cruel one (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs אַכְזָרִי adjective cruel, always in this form; — Proverbs 12:10; Proverbs 17:11; Jeremiah 6:23; Jeremiah 50:42, also Jeremiah 30:14 (read ׳מוּסָר א, for ᵑ0 מוּסַר, Gf Gie); as substantive Proverbs 5:9; Proverbs 11:17, perhaps also, in apposition with ׳יוֺם י, Isaiah 13:9. Topical Lexicon Overview of the Theme Strong’s Hebrew 394, ʼak͟zārî, portrays a harsh, pitiless disposition that delights in the suffering or exploitation of others. The term threads through Wisdom literature and prophetic oracles, exposing both the human heart’s capacity for ruthless behavior and the Lord’s righteous use of severe instruments when judging persistent rebellion. Contexts of Human Cruelty in Proverbs 1. Personal Exploitation (Proverbs 5:9) – Immorality can waste a person’s “years to one who is cruel,” showing how sin hands life-energy to those intent on destruction. Cruelty as a Divine Instrument of Judgment Isaiah 13:9 describes “the Day of the LORD…cruel, with rage and burning anger.” The adjective heightens the terror of eschatological judgment; sinners experience the Day as merciless even though God’s actions remain perfectly just. In Jeremiah 6:23 and Jeremiah 50:42 Babylon’s invaders are “cruel and show no mercy,” while Jeremiah 30:14 notes “the discipline of one most cruel.” The prophets present ruthless armies as rods in the Lord’s hand (compare Isaiah 10:5), reminding Israel—and later Babylon—that unchecked evil will ultimately be repaid in kind. Interplay between Cruelty and Mercy Scripture juxtaposes ʼak͟zārî with divine hesed (steadfast love). Where humanity embraces mercilessness, covenant faithfulness shines brighter. The moral antithesis underpins the call to “do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly” (Micah 6:8). Cruel conduct obscures the image of God; compassion displays it. Literary and Prophetic Imagery The term often appears amid military metaphors: archers, horsemen, roaring seas (Jeremiah 6:23; 50:42). Such language conveys total panic and irresistibility when judgment falls. In Wisdom passages, the imagery turns domestic—family honor, bodily welfare, care of livestock—making the warning personal and everyday. Practical and Ministry Applications • Pastoral Oversight: Leaders guard against institutional or relational harshness, mirroring Christ’s gentleness (Matthew 11:29). Eschatological Echoes and Hope While Isaiah 13:9 paints the Day of the LORD as dreadfully severe, later revelation points to a new creation where “there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4). The temporary, though terrifying, experience of ʼak͟zārî serves God’s larger purpose of purging wickedness so that eternal kindness may prevail. The believer, rescued from wrath through Christ, is liberated to live a life diametrically opposed to cruelty, anticipating a kingdom where mercy triumphs forever. Forms and Transliterations אַ֝כְזָרִ֗י אַכְזָרִ֔י אַכְזָרִ֥י אַכְזָרִֽי׃ אכזרי אכזרי׃ לְאַכְזָרִֽי׃ לאכזרי׃ ’aḵ·zā·rî ’aḵzārî achzaRi lə’aḵzārî lə·’aḵ·zā·rî leachzaRiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Proverbs 5:9 HEB: הוֹדֶ֑ךָ וּ֝שְׁנֹתֶ֗יךָ לְאַכְזָרִֽי׃ NAS: And your years to the cruel one; KJV: and thy years unto the cruel: INT: your vigor and your years to the cruel Proverbs 11:17 Proverbs 12:10 Proverbs 17:11 Isaiah 13:9 Jeremiah 6:23 Jeremiah 30:14 Jeremiah 50:42 8 Occurrences |
    |