Proverbs 26:1-28 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

Reader Related Verse
Bible Comments

The Book of Fools. A section containing a series of synthetic couplets dealing with folly (except Proverbs 26:2). The text is unusually corrupt and defective.

Proverbs 26:1. For the opposite use of snow in harvest cf. Proverbs 25:13 *.

Proverbs 26:2. Directed against the superstitious belief in the magical value of a curse. The simile refers to the aimless wandering of a bird, and is not to be compared with the flying roll of curses in Zechariah 5:1-4.

Proverbs 26:4 f. An antithetic quatrain enjoining the right method of answering a fool not to descend to the fool's level, yet to make him conscious of his folly.

Proverbs 26:6. damage: inaccurate. The word means violence, and the phrase drinketh violence usually means to practise or delight in violence, which is not the sense required here.

Proverbs 26:8 a is very uncertain. RV is much less probable than RVm, to give honour to a fool is as absurd as to fasten a stone firmly in a sling.

Proverbs 26:9. Another couplet on the fool's inability to use the mâ shâ l.

Proverbs 26:9 a is very improbable, although supported in exegesis by a reference to the drunkard's insensibility to pain in Proverbs 23:35. It is better to interpret thorn as thorn bush (cf. 2 Kings 14:9). Then we have the figure of a drunkard armed with a thorn-spiked bough as the comparison for a fool's use of the mâ shâ l.

Proverbs 26:10. The text is too corrupt for restoration. RV and RVm are each about as satisfactory as any of the numerous attempts at restoration.

Proverbs 26:11 a occurs in 2 Peter 2:22 as part of a saying which is quoted by the author as a true proverb. The quotation, however, is not from the LXX, and seems to be from some popular Aramaic proverb based upon this couplet.

Proverbs 26:13-16. The Book of Sluggards.

Proverbs 26:13. cf. Proverbs 22:13.

Proverbs 26:15. cf. Proverbs 19:24 *.

Proverbs 26:16. render a reason: rather return a sensible answer (cf. mg.). Apparently aimed at the sluggard's dislike of any intellectual effort.

Proverbs 26:17-28. A collection dealing with rash, slanderous, or false speech.

Proverbs 26:17. by the ears: LXX has the more vivid and appropriate by the tail.

Proverbs 26:21. coals: sense uncertain. Toy renders charcoal. Perhaps we should read bellows.

Proverbs 26:22. cf. Proverbs 18:8.

Proverbs 26:23. RV inverts the order of the clauses. Fervent is lit. burning, which has not in Heb. a metaphorical sense. Read smooth (LXX).

Proverbs 26:28. hateth. wounded: extremely doubtful. Read multiplieth crushing i.e. causes destruction to many.

Related Commentaries of Proverbs 26:1

Proverbs 26:1-28

1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.

2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.

3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.

4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.a

6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.b

7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

8 As he that bindethc a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.

9 As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

10 The greatd God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.

11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.e

12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.

14 As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.

15 The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grievethf him to bring it again to his mouth.

16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.

17 He that passeth by, and meddlethg with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

18 As a mad man who casteth firebrands,h arrows, and death,

19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

20 Where noi wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.

21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.

24 He that hateth dissemblethj with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;

25 When he speakethk fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.

26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.

27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.

28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.