Bible Commentaries
Proverbs 26

Verse 1

snow in summer . . . rain. These are as rare and as exceptional as honour is to a fool.

a fool. Hebrew. kesil. See note on Proverbs 1:7 .

Verse 2

by . . . by = for . . . for: or [has cause] for.

So the curse, &c. Illustrations: Baalam's (Nehemiah 13:2 ); Goliath's (1 Samuel 17:43 ); Shimei's (2 Samuel 16:5 , 2 Samuel 16:12 ).

Verse 3

the fool's back = the back of fools.

Verse 4

Answer not. The point of Proverbs 26:3 is that you cannot reason with a fool; Proverbs 26:4 gives the reason. If you answer not according to his folly, he will think he is wise like yourself. If you do answer him according to his folly, he will think you are a fool like he is: i.e. according to Proverbs 26:3 you cannot reason with him. These are finely stated facts, not commands.

folly. Hebrew. 'evil. See note on Proverbs 1:7 .

Verse 5

conceit = eyes.

Verse 6

sendeth a message: or, transacteth business.

Cutteth off the feet: i.e. his own feet = renders himself helpless.

Verse 7

legs = clothes; "legs" put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), App-6 , for the clothes on them.

are not equal = are lifted up: i.e. the clothes being lifted up expose the lame legs. So a fool exposes his folly in expounding a parable.

Verse 8

bindeth = bindeth tight: a foolish thing to do.

Verse 9

a drunkard: i.e. insensible to a thorn.

Verse 10

The great God, &c. Render: "A master [workman] formeth all himself aright: but he that hireth a fool, hireth a transgressor [who will spoil the work]. "

rewardeth. Hebrew. sakar, to hire.

Verse 11

As a dog, &c. Quoted in 2 Peter 2:22 .

returneth = repeateth. Illustrations: Pharaoh (Exodus 9:27-34 ); Ahab (1 Kings 21:27 ; 1 Kings 22:6-8 ); Herod (Mark 6:20-27 ).

Verse 13

a lion = a black lion.

Verse 15

hideth = burieth.

bosom = dish, as in 2 Kings 21:13 . 2 Kings 19:24 .

It grieveth him = It is hard for him, or he is too lazy.

Verse 16

men. No Hebrew for this word here.

Verse 17

meddleth = vexeth himself.

Verse 19

deceiveth. Hebrew. ramah. See note on Proverbs 11:18 . Not the same word as in Proverbs 26:26 .

Verse 22

wounds = self-inflicted wounds. Compare Proverbs 18:8 .

Verse 23

Burning lips: i.e. warm professions.

silver dross. Figure of speech Hypallage ( App-6 ). Hebrew = silver of dross.

Verse 25

speaketh fair = maketh his voice gracious.

Verse 26

deceit. Hebrew. nasha'. See note on Proverbs 11:18 . Not the same word as in verses: Proverbs 26:19 , Proverbs 26:24 .

congregation = assembly.

Verse 27

shall fall therein. Illustrations: Jacob, who deceived with a kid (Genesis 27:14 ), was deceived by a kid (Genesis 37:31 , Genesis 37:32 ); David and the sword (2 Samuel 11:14 , 2 Samuel 11:15 , and 2 Samuel 12:10 ); Haman and the gallows (Esther 7:10 ; see Psalms 9:16 ).

Verse 28

hateth, &c. : i.e.: "Forgiveness to the injured doth belong; They ne'er pardon who have done the wrong. "