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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 />Sending a message by the hands of a fool is like cutting off one&#8217s feet or drinking poison.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/26.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Trusting a fool to convey a message is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/26.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/26.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Like cutting off one’s own feet or drinking violence is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/26.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, <i>and</i> drinketh damage.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/26.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />He who sends a message by the hand of a fool Cuts off <i>his own</i> feet <i>and</i> drinks violence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/26.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />One who sends a message by the hand of a fool Chops off <i>his own</i> feet <i>and</i> drinks violence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/26.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />He cuts off his own feet and drinks violence Who sends a message by the hand of a fool.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/26.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />He cuts off <i>his own</i> feet, <i>and</i> drinks violence Who sends a message by the hand of a fool.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/26.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />He cuts off <i>his own</i> feet <i>and</i> drinks violence Who sends words by the hand of a fool.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/26.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />He who sends a message by the hand of a fool Cuts off <i>his own</i> feet (sabotages himself) and drinks the violence [it brings on himself as a consequence].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/26.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The one who sends a message by a fool’s hand cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/26.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The one who sends a message by a fool&#8217s hand cuts off his own feet and drinks violence. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/26.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool Cutteth off his own feet, and drinketh in damage.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/26.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Sending a message by a fool is like chopping off your foot just to spite yourself. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/26.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off his own feet, and drinketh in damage.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/26.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Whoever uses a fool to send a message cuts off his own feet and brings violence upon himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/26.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />If you let a fool deliver a message, you might as well cut off your own feet; you are asking for trouble. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/26.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/26.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Like cutting off one?s own feet or drinking violence is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/26.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Like cutting off the feet or drinking violence, so is sending a message by the hand 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 />One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/26.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/26.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/26.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />He is cutting off feet, he is drinking injury, "" Who is sending things by the hand of a fool.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/26.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> He is cutting off feet, he is drinking injury, Who is sending things by the hand of a fool.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/26.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />He drank violence, cutting off the feet, sending words by the hand of the foolish one.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/26.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />He that sendeth words by a foolish messenger, is lame of feet and drinketh iniquity. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/26.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Whoever sends words by a foolish messenger has lame feet and drinks iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/26.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Those who send messages by a fool cut off their feet; they drink down violence. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/26.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />It is like cutting off one’s foot and drinking down violence, to send a message by 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 />He who sends a message by the hand of a fool drinks iniquity from under his own feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/26.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />He that sends a message by the hand of a fool is asking for trouble.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/26.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool Cutteth off his own feet, and drinketh damage.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/26.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />He that sends a message by a foolish messenger procures for himself a reproach from his own ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/26-6.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=5318" 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">5</span>Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes. <span class="reftext">6</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7096.htm" title="7096: mə·qaṣ·ṣeh (V-Piel-Prtcpl-ms) -- To cut off. A primitive root; to cut off; to destroy; to scrape off.">Like cutting off</a> <a href="/hebrew/7272.htm" title="7272: raḡ·la·yim (N-fd) -- Foot. From ragal; a foot; by implication, a step; by euphem. The pudenda.">one’s own feet</a> <a href="/hebrew/8354.htm" title="8354: šō·ṯeh (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To drink. A primitive root; to imbibe.">or drinking</a> <a href="/hebrew/2555.htm" title="2555: ḥā·mās (N-ms) -- Violence, wrong. From chamac; violence; by implication, wrong; by meton. Unjust gain.">violence</a> <a href="/hebrew/7971.htm" title="7971: šō·lê·aḥ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To send. A primitive root; to send away, for, or out.">is the sending</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: də·ḇā·rîm (N-mp) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">of a message</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: bə·yaḏ- (Prep-b:: N-fsc) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">by the hand</a> <a href="/hebrew/3684.htm" title="3684: kə·sîl (N-ms) -- Stupid fellow, dullard, fool. From kacal; properly, fat, i.e. stupid or silly.">of a fool.</a> </span><span class="reftext">7</span>Like lame legs hanging limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.…<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="/proverbs/10-26.htm">Proverbs 10:26</a></span><br />Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the slacker to those who send him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/25-13.htm">Proverbs 25:13</a></span><br />Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/13-17.htm">Proverbs 13:17</a></span><br />A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/17-7.htm">Proverbs 17:7</a></span><br />Eloquent words are unfit for a fool; how much worse are lying lips to a ruler!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/22-29.htm">Proverbs 22:29</a></span><br />Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will be stationed in the presence of kings; he will not stand before obscure men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/29-19.htm">Proverbs 29:19</a></span><br />A servant cannot be corrected by words alone; though he understands, he will not respond.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/14-15.htm">Proverbs 14:15</a></span><br />The simple man believes every word, but the prudent man watches his steps.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/19-2.htm">Proverbs 19:2</a></span><br />Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/20-19.htm">Proverbs 20:19</a></span><br />He who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid the one who babbles with his lips.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/21-5.htm">Proverbs 21:5</a></span><br />The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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="/matthew/25-24.htm">Matthew 25:24-30</a></span><br />Finally, the servant who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Master, I knew that you are a hard man, reaping where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. / So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what belongs to you.’ / ‘You wicked, lazy servant!’ replied his master. ‘You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/16-10.htm">Luke 16:10-12</a></span><br />Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. / So if you have not been faithful with worldly wealth, who will entrust you with true riches? / And if you have not been faithful with the belongings of another, who will give you belongings of your own?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/19-20.htm">Luke 19:20-23</a></span><br />Then another servant came and said, ‘Master, here is your mina, which I have laid away in a piece of cloth. / For I was afraid of you, because you are a harsh man. You withdraw what you did not deposit and reap what you did not sow.’ / His master replied, ‘You wicked servant, I will judge you by your own words. So you knew that I am a harsh man, withdrawing what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/4-2.htm">1 Corinthians 4:2</a></span><br />Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">He that sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off the feet, and drinks damage.</p><p class="hdg">sendeth</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/10-26.htm">Proverbs 10:26</a></b></br> As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so <i>is</i> the sluggard to them that send him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/13-17.htm">Proverbs 13:17</a></b></br> A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador <i>is</i> health.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/25-13.htm">Proverbs 25:13</a></b></br> As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, <i>so is</i> a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/107-16.htm">Cuts</a> <a href="/psalms/141-7.htm">Cutteth</a> <a href="/psalms/136-13.htm">Cutting</a> <a href="/psalms/35-4.htm">Damage</a> <a href="/psalms/110-7.htm">Drinketh</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-20.htm">Drinking</a> <a href="/job/34-7.htm">Drinks</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-2.htm">Feet</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-5.htm">Fool</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-5.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-1.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-7.htm">Injury</a> <a href="/esther/4-10.htm">Message</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-25.htm">News</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-27.htm">One's</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-13.htm">Sending</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-28.htm">Sends</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-15.htm">Violence</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/9-14.htm">Cuts</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-14.htm">Cutteth</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-9.htm">Cutting</a> <a href="/songs/2-15.htm">Damage</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-7.htm">Drinketh</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-5.htm">Drinking</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-13.htm">Drinks</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-5.htm">Feet</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-7.htm">Fool</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-7.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-9.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-19.htm">Injury</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-8.htm">Message</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-20.htm">News</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-9.htm">One's</a> <a href="/isaiah/7-25.htm">Sending</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-18.htm">Sends</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-17.htm">Violence</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 cutting off one’s own feet</b><br>This phrase illustrates the self-destructive nature of relying on a fool. In biblical times, feet were essential for travel and work, symbolizing one's ability to function and progress. Cutting off one's feet would render a person immobile and helpless, highlighting the futility and harm in trusting a fool. This imagery is consistent with other Proverbs that warn against foolishness (<a href="/proverbs/10-26.htm">Proverbs 10:26, 25</a>:19).<p><b>or drinking violence</b><br>The metaphor of "drinking violence" suggests willingly ingesting harm or chaos. In ancient cultures, drinking was often associated with celebration or sustenance, but here it is twisted to imply self-inflicted damage. This aligns with the biblical theme that foolish actions lead to personal ruin (<a href="/proverbs/13-20.htm">Proverbs 13:20</a>). The imagery of drinking violence can also be seen as a precursor to the New Testament warnings against living in sin (<a href="/galatians/6-7.htm">Galatians 6:7-8</a>).<p><b>is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool</b><br>Entrusting a fool with a message is likened to self-harm, as it is bound to result in misunderstanding or failure. In the ancient world, messengers were crucial for communication, and their reliability was paramount. A fool, lacking wisdom and discernment, would likely distort or fail in delivering the message accurately. This reflects the broader biblical principle of seeking wise counsel (<a href="/proverbs/15-22.htm">Proverbs 15:22</a>) and the importance of wisdom in leadership and communication (<a href="/james/1-5.htm">James 1:5</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_fool.htm">The Fool</a></b><br>In the context of Proverbs, a fool is someone who lacks wisdom and understanding, often rejecting God's ways. The fool is central to this verse as the one entrusted with a message.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_messenger.htm">The Messenger</a></b><br>The person who sends a message, representing someone who makes decisions about whom to trust with important tasks.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_message.htm">The Message</a></b><br>Represents important communication or tasks that require wisdom and reliability.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_sender.htm">The Sender</a></b><br>The individual who chooses to send the message through a fool, illustrating poor judgment.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_imagery_of_violence.htm">The Imagery of Violence</a></b><br>The verse uses vivid imagery to describe the consequences of trusting a fool, likening it to self-harm and chaos.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_discernment.htm">The Importance of Discernment</a></b><br>Discernment is crucial in choosing whom to trust with important tasks. Just as one would not cut off their own feet, one should not entrust a fool with significant responsibilities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_poor_judgment.htm">Consequences of Poor Judgment</a></b><br>Making unwise decisions, such as sending a message through a fool, leads to self-inflicted harm and chaos, akin to "drinking violence."<br><br><b><a href="/topical/v/value_of_wisdom_and_understanding.htm">Value of Wisdom and Understanding</a></b><br>Wisdom and understanding are vital in decision-making processes. Seeking God's guidance helps avoid the pitfalls of relying on foolishness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/guarding_against_foolishness.htm">Guarding Against Foolishness</a></b><br>Believers are called to guard against foolishness in their own lives and in their associations, ensuring that their actions align with God's wisdom.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_accountability.htm">The Role of Accountability</a></b><br>Accountability in our choices, especially in whom we trust, reflects our commitment to living wisely and honoring God.<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/does_proverbs_26_11_clash_with_compassion.htm">Proverbs 26:11: Does comparing a fool to a dog returning to its vomit present a historical or cultural context that might clash with more compassionate teachings elsewhere?</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><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><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/26.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(6) <span class= "bld">Cutteth off the feet.--</span>He wants his business done, but if he sends a fool to do it, he might as well cut off his messenger's legs, for the business will not be transacted; nay, worse than this, he will "drink damage," <span class= "ital">i.e., </span>suffer positive mischief from the blundering of his emissary.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/26.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 6.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool.</span> This clause comes in the Hebrew after the next. <span class="cmt_word">Cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.</span> To entrust an important commission to a fool is to deprive one's self of the means of having it properly executed, and to bring upon one's self shame and injury. A man who is so silly as to employ such an unfit messenger, as it were, cuts off the feet which should bear him on his errand, and, instead of enjoying the satisfaction of seeing the business well performed, he will be mortified and damaged by the blunder and stupidity of his emissary. Septuagint, "He maketh for himself reproach from his own ways (<span class="greek">ὁδῶν</span>,? <span class="greek">ποδῶν</span>) who sendeth a word by a foulish messenger." The Vulgate reads the first participle in a passive sense, <span class="accented">claudus pedibus</span>; but this is uneccessary. We have similar phrases to "drinketh damage" elsewhere; <span class="accented">e.g.</span>, <a href="/job/15-16.htm">Job 15:16</a> "drinketh in iniquity;" 34:7, "drinketh up scorn;" and with a different word, <a href="/proverbs/19-28.htm">Proverbs 19:28</a>, "devoureth iniquity." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/26-6.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 cutting off</span><br /><span class="heb">מְקַצֶּ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(mə·qaṣ·ṣeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7096.htm">Strong's 7096: </a> </span><span class="str2">To cut off, to destroy, to scrape off</span><br /><br /><span class="word">one’s own feet</span><br /><span class="heb">רַ֭גְלַיִם</span> <span class="translit">(raḡ·la·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - fd<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7272.htm">Strong's 7272: </a> </span><span class="str2">A foot, a step, the pudenda</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or drinking</span><br /><span class="heb">שֹׁתֶ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(šō·ṯeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8354.htm">Strong's 8354: </a> </span><span class="str2">To imbibe</span><br /><br /><span class="word">violence</span><br /><span class="heb">חָמָ֣ס</span> <span class="translit">(ḥā·mās)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2555.htm">Strong's 2555: </a> </span><span class="str2">Violence, wrong, by meton, unjust gain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is the sending</span><br /><span class="heb">שֹׁלֵ֖חַ</span> <span class="translit">(šō·lê·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7971.htm">Strong's 7971: </a> </span><span class="str2">To send away, for, out</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of a message</span><br /><span class="heb">דְּבָרִ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(də·ḇā·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> </span><span class="str2">A word, a matter, thing, a cause</span><br /><br /><span class="word">by the hand</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּיַד־</span> <span class="translit">(bə·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 fool.</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּסִֽיל׃</span> <span class="translit">(kə·sîl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<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/26-6.htm">Proverbs 26:6 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/26-6.htm">Proverbs 26:6 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/26-6.htm">Proverbs 26:6 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/26-6.htm">Proverbs 26:6 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/26-6.htm">Proverbs 26:6 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/26-6.htm">Proverbs 26:6 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/26-6.htm">Proverbs 26:6 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/26-6.htm">Proverbs 26:6 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/26-6.htm">Proverbs 26:6 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/26-6.htm">Proverbs 26:6 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/26-6.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 26:6 One who sends a message by (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/26-5.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 26:5"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 26:5" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/26-7.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 26:7"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 26:7" /></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>