Proverbs 10:26

“As vinegar to the teeth, etc.] Which, with its coldness and sourness, blunts the teeth, and makes it troublesome to eat: the Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic versions, render it, “as the sour grape is hurtful to the teeth;” sets them on edge; and as smoke to the eye; dims the sight, causes the eye to water, and is very pernicious and vexatious: so [is] the sluggard to them that send him: that is, the slothful messenger, as the Targum explains it; who, being sent on an errand, is dilatory, does not make haste to bring back the answer; which is very vexatious to those that send him, raises their passions, makes them fretful and very angry, be it on what account it will: so slothful and…”

“that is, causes vexation.”

“The teeth set on edge by the sour wine used by peasants Ruth 2:14; Psalms 69:21, the eye irritated by wood-smoke, these shadow the annoyance of having a messenger who will loiter on the way. return to 'Top of Page'”

“So - Unserviceable and vexatious. Proverbs 10:28”

“vinegar: Pro 25:13, Pro 25:20 as smoke: As the acidity of vinegar causes the unpleasantness and pain to the teeth, and by softening and dissolving the alkali of the bone, impairs their texture, and renders them incapable of mastication; and as smoke, by irritating the tender vessels, causes the eyes to smart, and prevents distinct vision; so a sluggish messenger is a continual vexation and loss to those by whom he is employed. Isa 65:5 so: Mat 25:26; Rom 12:11; Heb 6:12 Proverbs 10:27”

“This proverb stands out of connection with the series: As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, So is the sluggard to them who gives him a commission. A parabolic proverb (vid., p. 9), priamel-like in its formation (p. 13). Here and there לשּׁנּים is found with Mugrash, but in correct texts it has Reba-magnum; the verse is divided into two by Athnach, whose subordinate distributive is (Accentssystem, xi. 1) Reba-magnum. Smoke makes itself disagreeably perceptible to the sense of smell, and particularly to the eyes, which it causes to smart so that they overflow with tears; wherefore Virgil speaks of it as amarus, and Horace lacrimosus. חמץ (from חמץ, to be sour, harsh) signifies…”