Proverbs 26

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 26:2

By wandering from place to place; by its perpetual restlessness it secures itself from the fowler, that he cannot shoot at it, nor spread his net over it. Shall not come, to wit, upon the innocent person, but he shall escape from it like a bird, &c. read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 26:3

A bridle was very proper and usual for an ass, when they rode upon it, (as the Jews most commonly did,) though not to restrain him from running away, which is the principal use of it in horses, yet that the rider might rule and guide him, which was very necessary for that stupid creature. Although the ancient interpreters render it a goad, or spur, or something of the like nature and use. A rod for the fool’s back; which is most proper and necessary for him. Not words, but blows, must make him... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 26:4

How can these contrary rules be reconciled, answer him not, and answer him? Answ. Easily, by considering the difference of persons, and times, and places, and other circumstances, and of the manner of answering. And such seemingly contradictory precepts are not only used by, but are esteemed elegant in, other authors. Answer him not, when he is incorrigible, or when he is inflamed with passion or wine, &c., or when it is not necessary, nor likely to do him good. Answer him, when he is... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 26:5

According to his folly; so as his folly needs and requires, convincing him strongly, reproving him sharply, exposing him to just shame, and correcting him with a rod, when he deserves it, and thou hast a just power to use it. Lest he be wise in his own conceit; lest thy silence make him arrogant and presumptuous, as if his words were unanswerable. read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 26:6

He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool, he that employeth a fool upon any important errand or business which is too hard for him, cutteth off the feet, to wit, of his messenger; he bids one go that wants legs; he sends one who wants that discretion, which is as necessary for that employment as legs are for going. Drinketh damage; he bringeth upon himself abundance of loss and mischief, not only spoiling that business about which he sends him, but making himself contemptible to the... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 26:7

The legs of the lame are not equal, Heb. As (which note of similitude is plainly understood from the particle so in the following clause) the legs of the lame are lifted up, to wit, in going, or rather in dancing, which is done with great inequality and uncomeliness. So is a parable in the mouth of fools; no less absurd and indecent are wise and pious speeches from a foolish and ungodly man, whose actions grossly contradict them, whereby he makes them contemptible, and himself ridiculous. read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 26:8

As he that bindeth a stone in a sling; whereby he hinders his own design of throwing the stone out of it; or, who fastens it there only for a season, that he may speedily and violently throw it away. Or, as it is rendered in our margin, and by many others, As he that putteth a precious stone (Heb. a stone, which is oft emphatically used for a precious stone, both in Scripture, as Exodus 39:10; 1 Chronicles 29:8, and elsewhere, and also in other authors) in an heap of stones, where it is... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 26:9

As a thorn is in a drunkard’s hand, which he cannot hold and manage cautiously, but employeth to his own and others’ hurt, so is a parable in the mouth of fools; as improper and unprofitable, and, by accident, hurtful to himself and others. See Poole "Proverbs 26:7". read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 26:10

God, who is oft called great, as Psalms 86:10; Psalms 135:5, &c., and is described by the name of the Most High, as Psalms 9:2; Psalms 21:7, &c., who created all things, and therefore observeth and governeth all men and things, will certainly give that recompence which is meet for and deserved by fools and transgressors, i.e. by such as sin either through ignorance and heedlessness, or wilfully and wickedly. Or, as it is the margin, A great man (a prince or potentate, who are called by... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 26:11

As a dog returneth to his vomit, to lick up that which he had lately vomited, forgetting how burdensome and vexatious it was to him, so a fool returneth to his folly; such like is the impudence and madness of sinners, who having smarted for their sins, and been forced to forsake them far a time, do afterwards return to the commission of them. read more

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 26:2

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 26:3

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 26:4

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 26:5

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 26:6

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 26:7

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 26:8

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 26:9

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 26:10

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 26:11

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