Bible Commentaries
John Dummelow's Commentary
Proverbs 26
Fools. Sluggards. Talkers
1-12. The vv. refer chiefly to fools.
1. The Palestinian seasons were more regular than ours (1 Samuel 12:17).
2. This is a contradiction of the idea that the deity invoked in a curse was bound to inflict it (Genesis 27:33; Judges 17:2). The undeserved curse is compared to the aimless movements of a bird.
4, 5. Answer or not, according to circumstances (Matthew 12:30; Mark 9:39).
6. 'He that sends a fool means to follow him.'
7. A fool is no more qualified to use a proverb than a lame man his legs.
8. This may be read, 'As he that bindeth,' etc. It should not be 'bound' there. Or, 'As a bag of gems,' etc. (RV). That is not the place for them.
10. The proverb seems to be directed against employing fools and strangers, but it is impossible to be sure how the Hebrew words at the beginning of the v. originally ran.
17. RM 'A passing dog,' which does not know you.
18-28. The evil effects of much speaking.
18, 19. Sport to them is death to others.
21. For coal read 'bellows.'
23. A potsherd covered with the lead oxide which remains after silver has been refined looks valuable, but is worthless; so are 'fervent lips and a wicked heart' (RV): cp. Luke 22:47.
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