Bible Commentaries
Proverbs 26

Introduction

Overview

Proverbs 26:1, Observations about fools; Proverbs 26:13, about sluggards; Proverbs 26:17, and about contentious busy-bodies.

Verse 1

in summer: 1 Samuel 12:17, 1 Samuel 12:18

so: Proverbs 26:3, Proverbs 28:16, Judges 9:7, Judges 9:20, Judges 9:56, Judges 9:57, Esther 3:1-15, Esther 4:6, Esther 4:9, Psalms 12:8, Psalms 15:4, Psalms 52:1, *title Ecclesiastes 10:5-7

Reciprocal: Proverbs 26:8 - so

Verse 2

so: Numbers 23:8, Deuteronomy 23:4, Deuteronomy 23:5, 1 Samuel 14:28, 1 Samuel 14:29, 1 Samuel 17:43, 2 Samuel 16:12, Nehemiah 13:2, Psalms 109:28

Reciprocal: Numbers 22:6 - I wot Numbers 23:7 - Come Deuteronomy 18:22 - shalt not 2 Samuel 16:5 - cursed Jeremiah 15:10 - curse Ezekiel 14:23 - that I have not 2 Corinthians 13:8 - General

Verse 3

According to our notions, we should rather say, a bridle for the horse, and a whip for the ass; but it should be considered, that the Eastern asses are not only much more beautiful, but better goers that ours; and being active and well broken, they need only a bridle to guide them; whereas their horses being scarce, and often caught wild, and badly broken, are much less manageable, and need the correction of the whip. Proverbs 10:13, Proverbs 17:10, Proverbs 19:25, Proverbs 27:22, Judges 8:5-7, Psalms 32:9, 1 Corinthians 4:21, 2 Corinthians 10:6, 2 Corinthians 13:2

Reciprocal: Proverbs 19:29 - and Proverbs 26:1 - so Proverbs 29:19 - servant Isaiah 30:28 - a bridle Jeremiah 31:18 - as a

Verse 4

Proverbs 17:14, Judges 12:1-6, 2 Samuel 19:41-43, 1 Kings 12:14, 1 Kings 12:16, 2 Kings 14:8-10, 1 Peter 2:21-23, 1 Peter 3:9, Jude 1:9

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 18:36 - held their peace Job 12:3 - But I have Proverbs 23:9 - Speak Proverbs 29:9 - General Isaiah 36:21 - General Jeremiah 36:18 - He Matthew 21:24 - I also Matthew 22:22 - they marvelled Mark 11:33 - Neither Luke 20:8 - General Luke 20:26 - they could John 8:7 - and said John 8:49 - I have not Colossians 4:6 - how

Verse 5

a fool: 1 Kings 22:24-28, Jeremiah 36:17, Jeremiah 36:18, Matthew 15:1-3, Matthew 16:1-4, Matthew 21:23-27, Matthew 22:15-32, Luke 12:13-21, Luke 13:23-30, John 8:7, John 9:26-33, Titus 1:13

lest: Proverbs 26:12, Proverbs 28:11, Romans 11:25

conceit: Heb. eyes, Isaiah 5:21, Romans 12:16

Reciprocal: Proverbs 23:9 - Speak Matthew 21:24 - I also Matthew 22:22 - they marvelled Mark 11:33 - Neither Luke 20:8 - General Luke 20:26 - they could Luke 20:40 - General John 8:49 - I have not Colossians 4:6 - how

Verse 6

sendeth: Proverbs 10:26, Proverbs 13:17, Proverbs 25:13, Numbers 13:31

damage: or, violence

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 16:12 - by Jehu the prophet Jeremiah 37:2 - the prophet Daniel 6:2 - and the

Verse 7

not equal: Heb. lifted up

so: Proverbs 26:9, Proverbs 17:7, Psalms 50:16-21, Psalms 64:8, Matthew 7:4, Matthew 7:5, Luke 4:23

Reciprocal: Job 27:1 - Job

Verse 8

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, Death stands like Mercuries in every way;

And kindly points us to our journey's end."

so: Proverbs 26:1, Proverbs 19:10, Proverbs 30:22

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 24:17 - the princes of Judah

Verse 9

Proverbs 23:35

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 14:9 - The thistle Proverbs 26:7 - so Ecclesiastes 10:12 - but

Verse 10

The great: etc. or, A great man grieveth all; and he hireth the fool, he hireth also the transgressors.

both: Proverbs 11:31, Romans 2:6

Verse 11

a dog: Exodus 8:15, Matthew 12:45, 2 Peter 2:22

returneth to his folly: Heb. iterateth his folly

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 23:18 - dog Judges 16:4 - he loved Proverbs 23:35 - I will Ecclesiastes 7:25 - know Isaiah 28:8 - General Jeremiah 34:11 - General Matthew 7:6 - that Philippians 3:2 - of dogs

Verse 12

Seest: Proverbs 22:29, Proverbs 29:20, Matthew 21:31, Luke 7:44

a man: Proverbs 26:5, Proverbs 26:16, Proverbs 28:11, Proverbs 29:20, Matthew 21:31, Luke 18:11, Romans 12:16, 1 Corinthians 3:18, 1 Corinthians 3:19, 2 Corinthians 8:1, 2 Corinthians 8:2, Revelation 3:17

Reciprocal: Proverbs 3:7 - Be Proverbs 12:15 - way Proverbs 14:6 - scorner Proverbs 23:4 - cease Proverbs 30:32 - thou hast done Isaiah 5:21 - wise Ezekiel 28:5 - thy great wisdom Matthew 6:23 - If Luke 11:35 - General John 9:34 - and dost John 9:41 - If John 11:49 - Ye Acts 17:18 - babbler Romans 1:22 - General Romans 2:19 - art confident Romans 11:25 - lest Romans 12:3 - not to 1 Corinthians 8:2 - if 2 Corinthians 10:12 - are not wise Galatians 6:3 - if 1 Timothy 6:4 - He

Verse 13

Proverbs 15:19, Proverbs 19:15, Proverbs 22:13

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 13:24 - a lion Proverbs 6:6 - thou Proverbs 12:24 - but Proverbs 13:4 - desireth Proverbs 19:24 - General Proverbs 20:4 - sluggard Proverbs 21:25 - General Haggai 1:2 - This Matthew 25:18 - and hid Matthew 25:25 - General Luke 16:3 - I cannot Luke 19:20 - Lord Romans 12:11 - slothful

Verse 14

Proverbs 6:9, Proverbs 6:10, Proverbs 12:24, Proverbs 12:27, Proverbs 24:33, Hebrews 6:12

Verse 15

slothful: Proverbs 19:24

it grieveth him: or, he is weary

Reciprocal: Proverbs 12:27 - slothful

Verse 16

Proverbs 26:12, Proverbs 12:15, 1 Peter 3:15

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 5:20 - my master Proverbs 21:25 - General Proverbs 28:11 - his own conceit Isaiah 5:21 - wise Romans 11:25 - lest

Verse 17

passeth: Proverbs 17:11, Proverbs 18:6, Proverbs 20:3, Luke 12:14, 2 Timothy 2:23, 2 Timothy 2:24

meddleth: or, is enraged

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 14:10 - why shouldest 2 Chronicles 25:19 - why shouldest Proverbs 6:14 - soweth Proverbs 18:1 - intermeddleth John 8:6 - as though

Verse 18

firebrands: Heb. flames, or sparks

arrows: Proverbs 7:23, Proverbs 25:18, Genesis 49:23

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 2:14 - play before Proverbs 10:23 - General Proverbs 14:9 - Fools Proverbs 15:21 - joy Jeremiah 11:15 - thou doest evil

Verse 19

and: Proverbs 10:23, Proverbs 14:9, Proverbs 15:21, Ephesians 5:4, 2 Peter 2:13

Reciprocal: Leviticus 6:2 - deceived 2 Samuel 2:14 - play before

Verse 20

Where no wood is: Heb. Without wood

so: Proverbs 26:22, Proverbs 16:28, Proverbs 22:10, James 3:6

talebearer: or, whisperer

ceaseth: Heb. is silent

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 24:9 - General Psalms 41:7 - whisper Proverbs 6:19 - that soweth Proverbs 11:13 - revealeth Proverbs 18:8 - words Proverbs 20:19 - that goeth Proverbs 25:23 - so Romans 1:29 - whisperers Ephesians 4:31 - evil speaking

Verse 21

Proverbs 10:12, Proverbs 15:18, Proverbs 29:22, Proverbs 30:33, 2 Samuel 20:1, 1 Kings 12:2, 1 Kings 12:3, 1 Kings 12:20, Psalms 120:4

Reciprocal: Proverbs 17:14 - beginning Proverbs 22:10 - General James 3:6 - the tongue

Verse 22

words: Proverbs 18:8, Proverbs 20:19, Ezekiel 22:9

innermost parts: Heb. chambers

Reciprocal: Proverbs 15:4 - a breach Proverbs 26:20 - so

Verse 23

That is, ardent professions of friendship from a wicked heart, however smooth, shining, and splendid they may appear, are like a vile vessel covered over with base metal. Proverbs 10:18, 2 Samuel 20:9, 2 Samuel 20:10, Ezekiel 33:31, Luke 22:47, Luke 22:48

Reciprocal: Genesis 31:27 - that I 2 Samuel 3:26 - he sent Ezra 4:2 - Let us Psalms 28:3 - mischief Proverbs 27:6 - the kisses Ecclesiastes 7:9 - anger Jeremiah 40:14 - Ishmael Jeremiah 41:1 - they did Jeremiah 41:6 - weeping Daniel 11:27 - shall be to Mark 12:14 - Master

Verse 24

dissembleth: or, is known

deceit: Proverbs 11:1, Proverbs 12:5, Proverbs 12:17, Proverbs 12:20, Proverbs 14:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 4:8 - talked Genesis 34:13 - deceitfully Genesis 49:7 - Cursed Leviticus 19:17 - hate Numbers 35:20 - if he thrust 1 Samuel 18:21 - a snare 1 Samuel 19:6 - sware 1 Samuel 24:22 - David and 2 Samuel 13:20 - but hold 2 Samuel 13:22 - hated 2 Samuel 13:27 - Absalom 2 Samuel 20:9 - Art thou Nehemiah 6:2 - Come Nehemiah 6:7 - Come now Psalms 41:6 - speaketh Psalms 55:21 - The words Proverbs 10:18 - that hideth Proverbs 29:5 - that Jeremiah 9:4 - ye heed Jeremiah 9:8 - one Jeremiah 11:14 - pray Matthew 2:8 - that Ephesians 4:31 - with 1 John 3:15 - hateth

Verse 25

speaketh fair: Heb. maketh his voice gracious, Psalms 12:2, Psalms 28:3, Jeremiah 9:2-8, Micah 7:5

believe: Jeremiah 12:6, Matthew 24:23

seven: Proverbs 6:16-19

Reciprocal: Genesis 49:7 - Cursed Numbers 23:12 - General 1 Samuel 19:6 - sware 1 Samuel 24:22 - David and 1 Samuel 26:25 - So David 2 Samuel 15:5 - took him 2 Chronicles 18:29 - put thou on thy robes Psalms 41:6 - speaketh Proverbs 29:5 - that Jeremiah 9:4 - ye heed Jeremiah 11:14 - pray Matthew 2:8 - that Luke 11:39 - but Romans 12:9 - love Ephesians 4:31 - with

Verse 26

Whose hatred is covered by deceit: or, Hatred is covered in secret, Genesis 4:8, 1 Samuel 18:17, 1 Samuel 18:21, 2 Samuel 3:27-30, 2 Samuel 13:22-28, Psalms 55:21-23

Verse 27

diggeth: Proverbs 28:10, Esther 7:10, Psalms 7:15, Psalms 7:16, Psalms 9:15, Psalms 10:2, Psalms 57:6, Ecclesiastes 10:8

Reciprocal: Jeremiah 18:20 - digged

Verse 28

lying: He that injures another hates him in proportion to the injury; Proprium humani ingenii est, odisse quem leseris, says Tacitlus, and strange to say, in proportion to the innocence of the injured. John 8:40, John 8:44-49, John 10:32, John 10:33, John 15:22-24

a flattering: Proverbs 6:24, Proverbs 7:5, Proverbs 7:21-23, Proverbs 29:5, Luke 20:20, Luke 20:21

Reciprocal: Judges 16:6 - General 1 Samuel 24:9 - General 2 Samuel 14:20 - according 2 Chronicles 24:17 - the princes of Judah Psalms 55:21 - The words Proverbs 6:17 - lying Ezekiel 12:24 - General Daniel 11:32 - shall be Acts 24:2 - Seeing 1 Thessalonians 2:5 - used