‏ Proverbs 26

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

in summer 1Sam 12:17-18

so Prov 26:3, Prov 28:16; Judg 9:7, Judg 9:20, Judg 9:56-57; Esth 3:1-15, Esth 4:6, Esth 4:9; Ps 12:8, Ps 15:4; Ps 52:1 *title Eccl 10:5-7

so Num 23:8; Deut 23:4-5; 1Sam 14:28-29, 1Sam 17:43; 2Sam 16:12; Neh 13:2; Ps 109:28

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.

Prov 10:13, Prov 17:10, Prov 19:25, Prov 27:22; Judg 8:5-7; Ps 32:9; 1Cor 4:21; 2Cor 10:6; 2Cor 13:2

Prov 17:14; Judg 12:1-6; 2Sam 19:41-43; 1Kgs 12:14, 1Kgs 12:16; 2Kgs 14:8-10; 1Pet 2:21-23, 1Pet 3:9; Jude 1:9

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

lest Prov 26:12, Prov 28:11; Rom 11:25

conceit Heb. eyes, Isa 5:21; Rom 12:16

sendeth Prov 10:26, Prov 13:17, Prov 25:13; Num 13:31

damage or, violence

not equal Heb. lifted up

so Prov 26:9, Prov 17:7; Ps 50:16-21, Ps 64:8; Matt 7:4-5; Luke 4:23

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 Prov 26:1, Prov 19:10, Prov 30:22

Prov 23:35

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

both Prov 11:31; Rom 2:6

a dog Exod 8:15; Matt 12:45; 2Pet 2:22

returneth to his folly Heb. iterateth his folly

Seest Prov 22:29, Prov 29:20; Matt 21:31; Luke 7:44

a man Prov 26:5, Prov 26:16, Prov 28:11, Prov 29:20; Matt 21:31; Luke 18:11; Rom 12:16; 1Cor 3:18-19; 2Cor 8:1-2; Rev 3:17

Prov 15:19, Prov 19:15, Prov 22:13

Prov 6:9-10, Prov 12:24, Prov 12:27, Prov 24:33; Heb 6:12

slothful Prov 19:24

it grieveth him or, he is weary

Prov 26:12, Prov 12:15; 1Pet 3:15

passeth Prov 17:11, Prov 18:6, Prov 20:3; Luke 12:14; 2Tim 2:23-24

meddleth or, is enraged

firebrands Heb. flames, or sparks

arrows Prov 7:23, Prov 25:18; Gen 49:23

and Prov 10:23, Prov 14:9, Prov 15:21; Eph 5:4; 2Pet 2:13

Where no wood is Heb. Without wood

so Prov 26:22, Prov 16:28, Prov 22:10; Jas 3:6

talebearer or, whisperer

ceaseth Heb. is silent

Prov 10:12, Prov 15:18, Prov 29:22, Prov 30:33; 2Sam 20:1; 1Kgs 12:2-3, 1Kgs 12:20; Ps 120:4

words Prov 18:8, Prov 20:19; Ezek 22:9

innermost parts Heb. chambers

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.

Prov 10:18; 2Sam 20:9-10; Ezek 33:31; Luke 22:47-48

dissembleth or, is known

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

speaketh fair Heb. maketh his voice gracious, Ps 12:2, Ps 28:3; Jer 9:2-8; Mic 7:5

believe Jer 12:6; Matt 24:23

seven Prov 6:16-19

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

diggeth Prov 28:10; Esth 7:10; Ps 7:15-16, Ps 9:15, Ps 10:2, Ps 57:6; Eccl 10:8

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 10:32-33, John 15:22-24

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