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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 26:10

Our translation gives this verse a different reading in the text and in the margin; and accordingly it expresses either, 1. The equity of a good God. The Master, or Lord (so Rab signifies), or, as we read it, The great God that formed all things at first, and still governs them in infinite wisdom, renders to every man according to his work. He rewards the fool, who sinned through ignorance, who knew not his Lord's will, with few stripes; and he rewards the transgressor, who sinned... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 26:11

See here, 1. What an abominable thing sin is, and how hateful sometimes it is made to appear, even to the sinner himself. When his conscience is convinced, or he feels smart from his sin, he is sick of it, and vomits it up; he seems then to detest it and to be willing to part with it. It is in itself, and, first or last, will be to the sinner, more loathsome than the vomit of a dog, Ps. 36:2. 2. How apt sinners are to relapse into it notwithstanding. As the dog, after he has gained ease by... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 26:10

The great God , that formed all things ,.... That made the heavens, earth, and sea, and all that are in them; who is great in the perfections of his nature, and in the works of his hands, and greatly to be praised; both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors ; according to their works; every transgression of the law receiving its just recompence of reward, whether a man transgresses it ignorantly or wilfully; as his transgressions are, whether through error or presumption,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 26:11

As a dog returneth to his vomit ,.... Who being sick with what he has eaten, casts it up again, and afterwards returns unto it and licks it up; so a fool returneth to his folly , or "repeats" F1 שונה "qui iterat", Tigurine version, Michaelis; "iterans", Montanus, Mercerus, Cocceius, Gejerus; "duplicans", Schultens. it, time after time, many times, as Ben Melech; or a wicked man turns to his wickedness, who, having had some qualms upon his conscience for sin, for a while... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 26:10

The great God that formed all things - Or, A great man grieveth all, and he hireth the fool, he hireth also transgressors , where this verse is very differently translated. I shall add that of Coverdale: "A man of experience discerneth all thinges well: but whoso hyreth a foole, hyreth soch one as wyl take no hede." The רב rab may mean either the great God, or a great man: hence the two renderings, in the text and in the margin. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 26:11

As a dog returneth to his vomit - See note on 2 Peter 2:22 . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 26:1-12

Certain proverbs concerning the fool ( kesil ), with the exception, perhaps, of Proverbs 26:2 (see on Proverbs 1:22 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 26:4-12

Discussion of folly and its treatment I. How we ANSWER THE FOOL . ( Proverbs 26:4 , Proverbs 26:5 .) 1 . Not according to his folly; i . e . so chiming in with his nonsense that yon become as he is. Do not descend into the arena with a fool. Preserve self-respect, and observe the conduct of the Saviour when to folly he "answered not again." 2 . According to his folly; that is, with the sharp and cutting reply his folly invites and deserves. We have also... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 26:10

Few passages have given greater difficulty than this verse; almost every word has been differently explained. The Authorized Version is, The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and re- wardeth transgressors; Revised Version, As an archer ( Job 16:13 ) that woundeth all , so is he that hireth the fool and he that hireth thorn that pass by . At first sight one would hardly suppose that these could be versions of the same passage. To show the diversity that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 26:11

As the dog returneth to his vomit , so a fool returneth to his folly; or, repeateth his folly . The fool never frees himself from the trammels of his foolishness; his deeds and words always bear the same character to the end. The same truth holds good of the sinner, especially the drunkard and the sensualist. If they feel temporary compunction, and reject their sin by partial repentance, they do not really shake it off wholly; it has become a second nature to them, and they soon... read more

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