An evil man seeketh only rebellion. — Or. A rebellious man (literally, rebellion; comp. Ezekiel 2:7) seeketh only evil.
A cruel messenger. — Such as the “chief of the executioners” (margin of Genesis 37:36), who was always ready to carry out the bidding of an Oriental king. (Comp. 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, comp. Revelation 8:6, sqq.)