Proverbs 26

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Proverbs 26:1-16

Concerning Fools and Sluggards v. 1. As snow in summer and as rain in harvest, either possibility being suggested as something altogether unfitting, not to be expected, so honor is not seemly for a fool, it is not proper that he should have it, he is altogether unworthy of it. v. 2. As the bird by wandering, the sparrow flitting along, as the swallow by flying, the aimlessness of their ordinary flight being the point of comparison, so the curse causeless shall not come, that is, if it is... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Proverbs 26:17-28

Concerning Busybodies v. 17. He that passeth by and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, becoming excited over a dispute which is really none of his business, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears, deliberately provoking trouble for himself. v. 18. As a madman who casteth fire-brands, or fiery darts, arrows, and death, deadly missiles of all kinds, v. 19. so is the man that deceiveth his neighbor, using craft against him, deliberately hurting him with bitter speeches, and saith,... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Proverbs 26:1-28

2. Various Warnings, viz.:a) Against dishonorable conduct,(especially folly, sloth and malice)Chap. 261 As snow in summer and rain in harvest,so honor befitteth not the fool.2 As the sparrow flitting, as the swallow flying,so the curse undeserved: it cometh not.3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass,and a rod for the fool’s back.4 Answer not a fool according to his folly,lest thou be like him.5 Answer a fool according to his folly,lest he become wise in his own... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 26:1-28

Verse Proverbs 26:2. Therefore, if the heart knows that a curse is unjust it may rest in the certainty that it cannot harm. Verses Proverbs 26:3-12. In this group of proverbs the fool is the subject. The true method of dealing with him is that of chastisement. Caution is needed in answering him lest his folly be shared; and, on the other hand, lest he be not reproved. The fool is not to be trusted. A parable of a fool is useless. Give a fool honor, and it is to offer it where it is useless.... read more

James Nisbet

James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 26:13

LAZINESS AND COWARDICE‘The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.’ Proverbs 26:13 I. There is a lion in the way!—In what way? I answer, In the way of life, of every life. Life, if it is to be a true life, is not an easy thing. The men who live for nobler objects than those of shameful selfishness, like St. Paul, will have to fight with wild beasts at Ephesus or elsewhere. II. ‘There is a lion in the way.’—Yes, and not one, but many lions: (1) the lion of the... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 26:1-28

A Collection Of Solomon’s Proverbs (Proverbs 10:1 to Proverbs 29:27 ). Solomon’s presentation of The Book of Proverbs has followed the pattern of much Wisdom literature. This commenced with the initial heading detailing the details of the author and his purpose in writing (Proverbs 1:1-7), continued with a Prologue which laid the foundation for what was to follow (Proverbs 1:8 to Proverbs 9:18), and was then followed by the body of the work introduced by one or more subheadings. In Solomon’s... read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 26

Section IV., Proverbs 25-29.— The title of this section adds to the tradition of a Solomonic collection of proverbs the further tradition of literary activity in the time of Hezekiah. The same general considerations hold good of this section as of Proverbs 10-24. (See Introduction.) It also shows signs of compilation, and falls into two divisions: ( a) Proverbs 25:2 to Proverbs 27:22, and ( b) Proverbs 28 f., separated by a discourse in Proverbs 27:23-Daniel :. read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 26:1-28

Proverbs 26:1-2 Kings : . The Book of Fools.— A section containing a series of synthetic couplets dealing with folly (except Proverbs 26:2). The text is unusually corrupt and defective. Proverbs 26:1 . For the opposite use of snow in harvest cf. Proverbs 25:13 *. Proverbs 26:2 . Directed against the superstitious belief in the magical value of a curse. The simile refers to the aimless wandering of a bird, and is not to be compared with the flying roll of curses in Zechariah 5:1-Numbers :.... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 26

PROVERBS CHAPTER 26 Rules how to carry it towards fools, Proverbs 26:1-12. The slothful man described, Proverbs 26:13-16. The character of a contentious man, and of a busybody, and tale-bearer, Proverbs 26:17-23. The evil of hypocrisy and lying, Proverbs 26:24-28. read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 26:1

As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest; unbecoming and unseasonable. So honour is not seemly for a fool, because he neither deserves it, nor knows how to use it, but his folly is both increased and publicly manifested by it. read more