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Proverbs Chapter 26

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry 28 Verses

What is Proverbs 26 about?

Practical wisdom for daily life, family, work, and worship, all rooted in the fear of the LORD. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honor is not seemly for a fool.
2As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, So the curse that is causeless alighteth not.
3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, And a rod for the back of fools.
4Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also be like unto him.
5Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own conceit.
6He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool Cutteth off [his own] feet, [and] drinketh in damage.
7The legs of the lame hang loose: So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8As one that bindeth a stone in a sling, So is he that giveth honor to a fool.
9[As] a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10[As] an archer that woundeth all, So is he that hireth a fool and he that hireth them that pass by.
11As a dog that returneth to his vomit, [So is] a fool that repeateth his folly.
12Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.
13The sluggard saith, There is a lion in the way; A lion is in the streets.
14[As] the door turneth upon its hinges, So doth the sluggard upon his bed.
15The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; It wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit Than seven men that can render a reason.
17He that passeth by, [and] vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, Is [like] one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18As a madman who casteth firebrands, Arrows, and death,
19So is the man that deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, Am not I in sport?
20For lack of wood the fire goeth out; And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.
21[As] coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to inflame strife.
22The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.
23Fervent lips and a wicked heart Are [like] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
24He that hateth dissembleth with his lips; But he layeth up deceit within him:
25When he speaketh fair, believe him not; For there are seven abominations in his heart:
26Though [his] hatred cover itself with guile, His wickedness shall be openly showed before the assembly.
27Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
28A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath wounded; And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
← Proverbs 25Proverbs 27 →

What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, etc.] Which were very undesirable and unseasonable, yea, very hurtful to the fruits of the earth; and a great obstruction to the labourers in the harvest, and a hinderance to the gathering of it in; and were very rare and uncommon in Judea; it was even a miracle for thunder and rain to be in wheat harvest, (<091217>1 Samuel 12:17); so honour is not seemly for a fool: for a wicked man; such should not be favoured by kings, and set in high places of honour and trust; “folly set in great dignity”, or foolish and bad men set in honourable places, are as unsuitable and…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“(Pro. 26:1-28) The incongruities of nature illustrate also those of the moral world. The fool's unworthiness is also implied (Pro 17:7; Pro 19:10).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“In Palestine there is commonly hardly any rain from the early showers of spring to October. Hence, “rain in harvest” became sometimes (see the marginal reference) a supernatural sign, sometimes, as here, a proverb for whatever was strange and incongruous. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 2
“By flying - Secures itself from the fowler. Not come - Upon the innocent person, but he shall escape from it like a bird. Proverbs 26:4”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“26:1 It is not fitting to give honor to fools.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“in summer: Sa1 12:17, Sa1 12:18 so: Pro 26:3, Pro 28:16; Jdg 9:7, Jdg 9:20, Jdg 9:56, Jdg 9:57; Est 3:1-15, Est 4:6, Est 4:9; Psa 12:8, Psa 15:4; Psa 52:1 \*title Ecc 10:5-7 Proverbs 26:2”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · on verse 1
“There now follows a group of eleven proverbs of the fool; only the first of the group has after it a proverb of different contents, but of similar form: As snow in summer, and rain in harvest; So honour befitteth not a fool. If there is snow in high summer (קיץ, to be glowing hot), it is contrary to nature; and if there is rain in harvest, it is (according to the alternations of the weather in Palestine) contrary to what is usually the case, and is a hindrance to the ingathering of the fruits of the field. Even so a fool and respect, or a place of honour, are incongruous things; honour will only injure him (as…”
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