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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/26.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/26.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Like a thornbush in a drunkard&#8217s hand is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/26.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like a thorny branch brandished by a drunk.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/26.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/26.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/26.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br /><i>As</i> a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so <i>is</i> a parable in the mouth of fools.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/26.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br /><i>Like</i> a thorn <i>that</i> goes into the hand of a drunkard <i>Is</i> a proverb in the mouth of fools.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/26.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br /><i>Like</i> a thorn <i>that</i> sticks in the hand of a heavy drinker, So is a proverb in the mouths of fools.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/26.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Like a thorn which falls into the hand of a drunkard, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/26.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br /><i>Like</i> a thorn <i>which</i> falls into the hand of a drunkard, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/26.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br /><i>Like</i> a thorn <i>which</i> goes up into the hand of a drunkard, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/26.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Like a thorn that goes [without being felt] into the hand of a drunken man, So is a proverb in the mouth of a fool [who remains unaffected by its wisdom].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/26.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like a stick with thorns, brandished by the hand of a drunkard.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/26.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like a stick with thorns, brandished by the hand of a drunkard. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/26.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />As a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/26.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />A thornbush waved around in the hand of a drunkard is no worse than a proverb in the mouth of a fool. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/26.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />As a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the month of fools.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/26.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />[Like] a thorn stuck in a drunk's hand, so is a proverb in the mouths of fools.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/26.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />A fool quoting a wise saying reminds you of a drunk trying to pick a thorn out of his hand. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/26.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />A thorn in the hand of a drunkard— that's what a proverb quoted by a fool is.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/26.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/26.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/26.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Like a thornbush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/26.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/26.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Like a thorn bush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/26.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />A thorn has gone up into the hand of a drunkard, "" And an allegory in the mouth of fools.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/26.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> A thorn hath gone up into the hand of a drunkard, And a parable in the mouth of fools.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/26.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />A thorn going up into the hand of a drunkard, a parable in the mouth of the foolish.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/26.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />As if a thorn should grow in the hand of a drunkard: so is a parable in the mouth of fools. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/26.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />In the manner of a thorn, if it were to spring up from the hand of a drunkard, so also is a parable in the mouth of the foolish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/26.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />A thorn stuck in the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/26.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Like a thornbush brandished by the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/26.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Thorns spring up in the hand of a drunkard, and folly in the mouth of a fool.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/26.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Thorns are sprung up in the hand of a drunkard and madness in the mouth of the fool.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/26.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />As a thorn that cometh into the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/26.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Thorns grow in the hand of a drunkard, and servitude in the hand of fools.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/26-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=5338" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/26.htm">Similitudes and Instructions</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">8</span>Like binding a stone into a sling is the giving of honor to a fool. <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2336.htm" title="2336: ḥō·w·aḥ (N-ms) -- Briar, bramble, hook, ring, fetter. From an unused root apparently meaning to pierce; a thorn; by analogy, a ring for the nose.">Like a thorn</a> <a href="/hebrew/5927.htm" title="5927: ‘ā·lāh (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to ascend, intransitively or actively; used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative.">that falls</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: ḇə·yaḏ- (Prep-b:: N-fsc) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">into the hand</a> <a href="/hebrew/7910.htm" title="7910: šik·kō·wr (Adj-ms) -- Drunken. Or shikkor; from shakar; intoxicated, as a state or a habit.">of a drunkard</a> <a href="/hebrew/4912.htm" title="4912: ū·mā·šāl (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- A proverb, parable. ">is a proverb</a> <a href="/hebrew/6310.htm" title="6310: bə·p̄î (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Mouth. From pa'ah; the mouth, whether literal or figurative; specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially according to.">in the mouth</a> <a href="/hebrew/3684.htm" title="3684: ḵə·sî·lîm (N-mp) -- Stupid fellow, dullard, fool. From kacal; properly, fat, i.e. stupid or silly.">of a fool.</a> </span><span class="reftext">10</span>Like an archer who wounds at random is he who hires a fool or passerby.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-6.htm">Matthew 7:6</a></span><br />Do not give dogs what is holy; do not throw your pearls before swine. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-12.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:12-14</a></span><br />The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him. / The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness. / Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming, and who can tell him what will come after him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-18.htm">1 Corinthians 1:18-25</a></span><br />For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. / For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” / Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/50-16.htm">Psalm 50:16-17</a></span><br />To the wicked, however, God says, “What right have you to recite My statutes and to bear My covenant on your lips? / For you hate My instruction and cast My words behind you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-19.htm">1 Corinthians 3:19</a></span><br />For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/29-13.htm">Isaiah 29:13-14</a></span><br />Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men. / Therefore I will again confound these people with wonder upon wonder. The wisdom of the wise will vanish, and the intelligence of the intelligent will be hidden.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-22.htm">James 1:22-25</a></span><br />Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves. / For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, / and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/8-8.htm">Jeremiah 8:8-9</a></span><br />How can you say, ‘We are wise, and the Law of the LORD is with us,’ when in fact the lying pen of the scribes has produced a deception? / The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the LORD, what wisdom do they really have?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/3-7.htm">2 Timothy 3:7</a></span><br />who are always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-21.htm">Romans 1:21-22</a></span><br />For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/8-12.htm">Hosea 8:12</a></span><br />Though I wrote for them the great things of My law, they regarded them as something strange.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/2-14.htm">1 Corinthians 2:14</a></span><br />The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/44-18.htm">Isaiah 44:18-20</a></span><br />They do not comprehend or discern, for He has shut their eyes so they cannot see and closed their minds so they cannot understand. / And no one considers in his heart, no one has the knowledge or insight to say, “I burned half of it in the fire, and I baked bread on its coals; I roasted meat and I ate. Shall I make something detestable with the rest of it? Shall I bow down to a block of wood?” / He feeds on ashes. His deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, “Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-13.htm">Matthew 13:13-15</a></span><br />This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’ / In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/33-31.htm">Ezekiel 33:31-32</a></span><br />So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain. / Indeed, you are to them like a singer of love songs with a beautiful voice, who skillfully plays an instrument. They hear your words but do not put them into practice.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">As a thorn goes up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouths of fools.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/25-21.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-21.htm">Drunkard</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-17.htm">Falls</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-8.htm">Fool</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-8.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-7.htm">Fools</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-31.htm">Goes</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-6.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-7.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-14.htm">Mouths</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-6.htm">Overcome</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-7.htm">Parable</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-7.htm">Proverb</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-19.htm">Thorn</a> <a href="/judges/9-15.htm">Thornbush</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-7.htm">Wise</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/31-4.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-10.htm">Drunkard</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-14.htm">Falls</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-10.htm">Fool</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-10.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-1.htm">Fools</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-20.htm">Goes</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-15.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-15.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-12.htm">Mouths</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-10.htm">Overcome</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-4.htm">Parable</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-4.htm">Proverb</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-6.htm">Thorn</a> <a href="/isaiah/55-13.htm">Thornbush</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-12.htm">Wise</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 26</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/26-1.htm">observations about fools</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/26-13.htm">about sluggards</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/26-17.htm">and about contentious busybodies</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/26.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/26.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard</b><br>This phrase uses vivid imagery to convey the idea of pain and lack of awareness. In ancient times, thorns were common in the Middle Eastern landscape and often symbolized pain or trouble (<a href="/genesis/3-18.htm">Genesis 3:18</a>). A drunkard, impaired by alcohol, lacks the awareness to avoid or properly handle a thorn, leading to injury. This reflects the broader biblical theme of the dangers of drunkenness (<a href="/proverbs/20.htm">Proverbs 20:1</a>, <a href="/ephesians/5-18.htm">Ephesians 5:18</a>) and the lack of wisdom and discernment it brings. The imagery suggests a lack of control and the inevitability of harm when one is not in a sober state of mind.<p><b>is a proverb in the mouth of a fool</b><br>A proverb, by nature, is a concise statement of wisdom or truth. However, when spoken by a fool—someone who lacks understanding or reverence for God (<a href="/proverbs/1-7.htm">Proverbs 1:7</a>)—it loses its intended value and impact. The fool may repeat wise sayings without grasping their meaning, much like a drunkard who cannot feel the thorn. This reflects the biblical principle that wisdom is not merely about knowing words but understanding and applying them (<a href="/james/1-22.htm">James 1:22</a>). The fool's misuse of proverbs can lead to misunderstanding or misapplication, highlighting the importance of wisdom and discernment in speech (<a href="/proverbs/15-2.htm">Proverbs 15:2</a>, <a href="/matthew/7-6.htm">Matthew 7:6</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>Traditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/f/fool.htm">Fool</a></b><br>In the context of Proverbs, a fool is someone who rejects wisdom and instruction, often characterized by a lack of moral and spiritual insight.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/d/drunkard.htm">Drunkard</a></b><br>A person impaired by alcohol, symbolizing a lack of control and awareness, which parallels the fool's misuse of wisdom.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/thorn.htm">Thorn</a></b><br>A sharp object that can cause pain or injury, symbolizing the potential harm of misused wisdom.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/p/proverb.htm">Proverb</a></b><br>A short, wise saying that conveys truth or advice, intended to guide behavior and decision-making.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_misuse_of_wisdom.htm">The Misuse of Wisdom</a></b><br>Just as a thorn can cause harm when mishandled, wisdom in the mouth of a fool can lead to misunderstanding and damage. It is crucial to approach wisdom with reverence and understanding.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_discernment.htm">The Importance of Discernment</a></b><br>Believers must discern when and how to share wisdom. Not everyone is ready or willing to receive it, and sharing it inappropriately can lead to negative consequences.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_self-control.htm">The Role of Self-Control</a></b><br>The comparison to a drunkard highlights the importance of self-control and awareness in handling wisdom. Believers are called to be sober-minded and vigilant.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_true_wisdom.htm">The Value of True Wisdom</a></b><br>True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord. It is not merely intellectual but deeply spiritual, requiring a heart aligned with God's will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/guarding_our_speech.htm">Guarding Our Speech</a></b><br>Our words have power, and we must be careful to speak wisely and appropriately, ensuring that our speech edifies and builds up rather than tears down.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_26.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 26</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_universal_salvation's_meaning.htm">Is trusting your feelings a wise decision?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_proverbs_23_9_conflict_with_sharing_truth.htm">Proverbs 23:9 says not to speak to a fool; does this conflict with the New Testament's call to share truth with everyone?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_proverbs_26_on_fools.htm">Proverbs 26 (overall): How do we reconcile the repeated harshness toward 'fools' with biblical themes of mercy, forgiveness, and understanding?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_proverbs_26_7_contradict_other_wisdom.htm">Proverbs 26:7: Does the idea of a proverb in a fool's mouth being 'useless' conflict with other Bible passages that suggest all wisdom is beneficial?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/26.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(9) <span class= "bld">As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard.--</span>Rather, (<span class= "ital">As</span>)<span class= "ital"> a thornbush </span>(<span class= "ital">which</span>)<span class= "ital"> comes into the hand of a drunkard, so </span>(<span class= "ital">is</span>)<span class= "ital"> a parable </span>(<span class= "ital">which comes</span>)<span class= "ital"> into the mouth of fools. </span>They know not how to use it, and only do themselves and others harm by it. (Comp. <a href="/2_peter/3-16.htm" title="As also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, to their own destruction.">2Peter 3:16</a>.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/26.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 9.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard.</span> There is here no idea of the drunkard's hand being pierced with a thorn while he is insensible to the pain, but rather of his being armed with it, and ripe for mischief. So it is best to render, "A thornbush cometh into the hand of a drunkard;" he somehow gets possession of it, and in his stupid excitement is liable to become dangerous. Some understand <span class="hebrew">עלה</span> of the growth of the thorn; thus the Septuagint, "Thorns grow in the hand of a drunkard;" Vulgate, "As if a thorn grew in the hand of a drunkard." But one does not see the bearing of such an expression; and the translation given above is more appropriate. <span class="cmt_word">So is a parable,</span> etc. (as ver. 7). In that passage the wise saying in a fool's mouth was compared with something useless, here it is compared with something injurious. He employs it purposely to wound others; or by the ignorant use of some sharp-edged word he does much mischief. In this hemistich the LXX. has read <span class="hebrew">משל</span> with a different vocalization, and renders, "servitude (<span class="greek">δουλεία</span>) in the hand of fools." This seems to mean that it comes natural to fools to be manacled and restrained by force. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/26-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">[Like] a thorn</span><br /><span class="heb">ח֭וֹחַ</span> <span class="translit">(ḥō·w·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2336.htm">Strong's 2336: </a> </span><span class="str2">Briar, bramble, hook, ring, fetter</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[that] falls</span><br /><span class="heb">עָלָ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5927.htm">Strong's 5927: </a> </span><span class="str2">To ascend, in, actively</span><br /><br /><span class="word">into the hand</span><br /><span class="heb">בְיַד־</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·yaḏ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of a drunkard</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׁכּ֑וֹר</span> <span class="translit">(šik·kō·wr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7910.htm">Strong's 7910: </a> </span><span class="str2">Intoxicated, as a, state, a habit</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is a proverb</span><br /><span class="heb">וּ֝מָשָׁ֗ל</span> <span class="translit">(ū·mā·šāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4912.htm">Strong's 4912: </a> </span><span class="str2">A pithy maxim, a simile</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the mouth</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּפִ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(bə·p̄î)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6310.htm">Strong's 6310: </a> </span><span class="str2">The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of a fool.</span><br /><span class="heb">כְסִילִֽים׃</span> <span class="translit">(ḵə·sî·lîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3684.htm">Strong's 3684: </a> </span><span class="str2">Stupid fellow, dullard, fool</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/26-9.htm">Proverbs 26:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/26-9.htm">Proverbs 26:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/26-9.htm">Proverbs 26:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/26-9.htm">Proverbs 26:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/26-9.htm">Proverbs 26:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/26-9.htm">Proverbs 26:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/26-9.htm">Proverbs 26:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/26-9.htm">Proverbs 26:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/26-9.htm">Proverbs 26:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/26-9.htm">Proverbs 26:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/26-9.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 26:9 Like a thornbush that goes into (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/26-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 26:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 26:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/26-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 26:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 26:10" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>