Proverbs
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Proverbs 26
Proverbs 26
1As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honor is not seemly for a fool.
1As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
Commentary · verse 1
2As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, So the curse that is causeless alighteth not.
3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, And a rod for the back of fools.
2As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.
Commentary · verses 2-3
Fools were compared to animals that needed a physical correction to get their attention.
Doctrines on this passage
4Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also be like unto him.
5Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own conceit.
4Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
Commentary · verses 4-5
It was better to not answer a fool at all. Fools had no understanding and would not receive your answer whether you were giving them understanding or not. Verse 3 was the only correction a fool would respond to, through experience.
6He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool Cutteth off his own feet, and drinketh in damage.
6He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.
Commentary · verse 6
This would be an example of trusting someone who was untrustworthy. A fool had no understanding and therefore no trust. Giving this person responsibility would only be a detriment to you.
7The legs of the lame hang loose; So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
7The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
Commentary · verse 7
A parable in the mouth of a fool had no strength because it had no understanding...no WHY.
8As one that bindeth a stone in a sling, So is he that giveth honor to a fool.
9As a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10As an archer that woundeth all, So is he that hireth a fool and he that hireth them that pass by.
11As a dog that returneth to his vomit, So is a fool that repeateth his folly.
8As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
9As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
11As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
Commentary · verses 8-11
This verse was referenced in 2 Peter 2:22. This was the opposite of repentance. Repentance was turning the opposite way. So far, this chapter focused on the frustration associated with dealing with fools.
12Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.
13The sluggard saith, There is a lion in the way; A lion is in the streets.
14As the door turneth upon its hinges, So doth the sluggard upon his bed.
15The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; It wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit Than seven men that can render a reason.
12Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
13The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
14As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
Commentary · verses 12-16
A sluggard was a specific type of fool: someone who rested without work (sloth). These examples showed that a sluggard also justified WHY he could be lazy. To the point that seven men with a reason could not cause the sluggard to humble himself.
17He that passeth by, and vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, Is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18As a madman who casteth firebrands, Arrows, and death, 19So is the man that deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, Am not I in sport?
17He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
19So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
Commentary · verses 17-19
Deceiving your neighbor was compared to using weapons (including death!) against someone and rationalizing it by saying, "I was only joking!"
20For lack of wood the fire goeth out; And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.
20Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
Commentary · verse 20
Contention stopped when there was no gossip.
21As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to inflame strife.
21As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
Commentary · verse 21
Contentious men were another specific type of fool: they argued for the sake of the argument and to prove themselves right, not to gain understanding.
22The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.
23Fervent lips and a wicked heart Are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
22The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
Commentary · verses 22-23
Fervent (burning) lips and an evil heart were like a clay pot covered in silver. They may look good on the outside but the inside was made of dust.
24He that hateth dissembleth with his lips; But he layeth up deceit within him:
24He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
Commentary · verse 24
Words were used to destroy by those who hate.
25When he speaketh fair, believe him not; For there are seven abominations in his heart: 26Though his hatred cover itself with guile, His wickedness shall be openly showed before the assembly.
27Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
25When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
27Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
Commentary · verses 25-27
...judgment against the deceitful.
28A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath wounded; And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
28A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
Commentary · verse 28
This chapter focused on the frustration associated with dealing with fools, sluggards, and contentious/deceitful people. Solomon sounded like he was speaking from experience...
A fool did not even recognize the value in honor. A fool was without understanding.