Bible Commentaries

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Proverbs 26

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Introduction

1  Observations about fools;
13  about sluggards;
17  and about contentious busy-bodies.
Verse 1

As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
in summer
1 Samuel 12:17,18
so
3, 28:16, Judges 9:7,20,56,57, Esther 3:1-15, 4:6,9, Psalms 12:8, 15:4, Psalms 52:1; *title; Ecclesiastes 10:5-7
Verse 2

As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
so
Numbers 23:8, Deuteronomy 23:4,5, 1 Samuel 14:28,29, 17:43, 2 Samuel 16:12, Nehemiah 13:2, Psalms 109:28
Verse 3

A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
10:13, 17:10, 19:25, 27:22, Judges 8:5-7, Psalms 32:9, 1 Corinthians 4:21, 2 Corinthians 10:6, 2 Corinthians 13:2
Verse 4

Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
17:14, Judges 12:1-6, 2 Samuel 19:41-43, 1 Kings 12:14,16, 2 Kings 14:8-10, 1 Peter 2:21-23, 3:9, Jude 1:9
Verse 5

Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
a fool
1 Kings 22:24-28, Jeremiah 36:17,18, Matthew 15:1-3, 16:1-4, 21:23-27, 22:15-32, Luke 12:13-21, 13:23-30, John 8:7, 9:26-33, Titus 1:13
lest
12, 28:11, Romans 11:25
conceit
Heb. eyes.
Isaiah 5:21, Romans 12:16
Verse 6

He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.
sendeth
10:26, 13:17, 25:13, Numbers 13:31
damage
or, violence.
Verse 7

The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
not equal
Heb. lifted up. so.
9, 17:7, Psalms 50:16-21, 64:8, Matthew 7:4,5, Luke 4:23
Verse 8

As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
bindeth a stone in a sling
Heb. putteth a precious stone in a heap of stones. This probably refers, as Coverdale understands it, to the custom of throwing a stone to the heap under which a criminal was buried. So the Vulgate, Sicut qui mittit lapidem in acervum Mercurii; ita qui tribuit insipienti honorem, "As he who throws a stone to Mercury's heap, so is he who gives honour to a fool." Mercury was a heathen god of highways; and stones were erected in different parts to guide the traveller: hence those lines of Dr. Young,
so
1, 19:10, 30:22
Verse 9

As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
23:35
Verse 10

The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
The great, etc
or, A great man grieveth all; and he hireth the fool, he hireth also the transgressors.
both
11:31, Romans 2:6
Verse 11

As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
a dog
Exodus 8:15, Matthew 12:45, 2 Peter 2:22
returneth to his folly
Heb. iterateth his folly.
Verse 12

Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
Seest
22:29, 29:20, Matthew 21:31, Luke 7:44
a man
5,16, 28:11, 29:20, Matthew 21:31, Luke 18:11, Romans 12:16, 1 Corinthians 3:18,19, 2 Corinthians 8:1,2, Revelation 3:17
Verse 13

The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
15:19, 19:15, 22:13
Verse 14

As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
6:9,10, 12:24,27, 24:33, Hebrews 6:12
Verse 15

The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
slothful
19:24
it grieveth him
or, he is weary.
Verse 16

The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
12, 12:15, 1 Peter 3:15
Verse 17

He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
passeth
17:11, 18:6, 20:3, Luke 12:14, 2 Timothy 2:23,24
meddleth
or, is enraged.
Verse 18

As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
firebrands
Heb. flames, or sparks. arrows.
7:23, 25:18, Genesis 49:23
Verse 19

So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
and
10:23, 14:9, 15:21, Ephesians 5:4, 2 Peter 2:13
Verse 20

Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
Where no wood is
Heb. Without wood. so.
22, 16:28, 22:10, James 3:6
tale-bearer
or, whisperer. ceaseth. Heb. is silent.
Verse 21

As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
10:12, 15:18, 29:22, 30:33, 2 Samuel 20:1, 1 Kings 12:2,3,20, Psalms 120:4
Verse 22

The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
words
18:8, 20:19, Ezekiel 22:9
innermost parts
Heb. chambers.
Verse 23

Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
10:18, 2 Samuel 20:9,10, Ezekiel 33:31, Luke 22:47,48
Verse 24

He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
dissembleth
or, is known. deceit.
11:1, 12:5,17,20, 14:8
Verse 25

When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
speaketh fair
Heb. maketh his voice gracious.
Psalms 12:2, 28:3, Jeremiah 9:2-8, Micah 7:5
believe
Jeremiah 12:6, Matthew 24:23
seven
6:16-19
Verse 26

Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
Whose hatred is covered by deceit
or, Hatred is covered in secret.
Genesis 4:8, 1 Samuel 18:17,21, 2 Samuel 3:27-30, 13:22-28, Psalms 55:21-23
Verse 27

Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
diggeth
28:10, Esther 7:10, Psalms 7:15,16, 9:15, 10:2, 57:6, Ecclesiastes 10:8
Verse 28

A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
lying
He that injures another hates him in proportion to the injury; Proprium humani ingenii est, odisse quem læseris, says Tacitlus: and strange to say, in proportion to the innocence of the injured.
John 8:40,44-49, 10:32,33, 15:22-24
a flattering
6:24, 7:5,21-23, 29:5, Luke 20:20,21

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