Proverbs chapter 26
Proverbs of Solomon collected by Hezekiah’s team, continued.
PROVERBS OF SOLOMON COLLECTED BY HEZEKIAH’S TEAM, CONTINUED
VERSE 1. Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.
snow in summer. This is completely out of place.
honor is not fitting for a fool. Honoring a fool is completely out of place.
VERSE 2. Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn’t come to rest.
VERSE 3. A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools!
VERSE 4. Don’t answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.
according to his folly. If we stoop to the level of a fool, we will be just like him.
VERSE 5. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
lest he be wise. If we stoop to the level of a fool, he will think he is wise.
VERSE 6. One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence.
VERSE 7. Like the legs of the lame that hang loose, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
a parable in the mouth of fools. If a fool quotes a wisdom proverb, it looses all effectiveness.
VERSE 8. As one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool.
binds a stone in a sling. It is ridiculous to tie a stone into a sling. And so is honoring a fool.
VERSE 9. Like a thorn bush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
VERSE 10. As an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or he who hires those who pass by.
VERSE 11. As a dog that returns to his vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly.
This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Book of Proverbs and from the entire Bible.
a dog. In those days and that culture, when people called you a dog, it meant a bad thing.
repeats his folly. Once they were liberated from their bondage, the Hebrew people wanted to go back to it:
Numbers 14:4. They said to one another, “Let’s choose a leader, and let’s return into Egypt.”
VERSE 12. Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
VERSE 13. The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion roams the streets!”
the sluggard. To be called a sluggard is a great biblical insult. Solomon often writes about the sluggardly person. Read more »
VERSE 14. As the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed.
NIV translation. As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed.
This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Book of Proverbs and from the entire Bible.
the sluggard. To be called a sluggard is a great biblical insult. Solomon often writes about the sluggardly person. Read more »
VERSE 15. The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
the sluggard. To be called a sluggard is a great biblical insult. Solomon often writes about the sluggardly person. Read more »
VERSE 16. The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer with discretion.
the sluggard. To be called a sluggard is a great biblical insult. Solomon often writes about the sluggardly person. Read more »
wiser in his own eyes. A sluggard deceives himself into thinking that he is smarter than anyone else.
VERSE 17. Like one who grabs a dog’s ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.
VERSE 18. Like a madman who shoots torches, arrows, and death,
VERSE 19. is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “Am I not joking?”
Am I not joking. Only a crazy person would do a cruel hoax to someone, and then say “I was only joking!”
VERSE 20. For lack of wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.
VERSE 21. As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife.
a contentious man. In most cases, when Solomon raises a gender-specific complaint, it is about a woman.
This is a very rare instance where he blames the man.
VERSE 22. The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, they go down into the innermost parts.
VERSE 23. Like silver dross on an earthen vessel are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart.
silver dross on an earthen vessel. That is, an attractive coating of glaze over a piece of pottery
VERSE 24. A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but he harbors evil in his heart.
VERSE 25. When his speech is charming, don’t believe him; for there are seven abominations in his heart.
speech is charming. Some people speak with charming words, yet you know that they will behave differently.
For example, politicians are famous for speak with charming words, while scheming to benefit themselves. They have earned the reputation of being outstanding liars.
VERSE 26. His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
VERSE 27. Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him.
digs a pit. This refers to an attempts to trap or destroy others.
shall fall into it. Attempts to trap others will eventually trap the schemer himself.
Ecclesiastes 10:8. He who digs a pit may fall into it; and whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
VERSE 28. A lying tongue hates those it hurts; and a flattering mouth works ruin.
PROVERBS
CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31
RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize, Sluggard, Tree of Life, Misogynism
Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. These translations have no copyright restrictions. They are in the Public Domain.