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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 an archer who wounds at random is one who hires a fool or any passer-by.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/26.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />An employer who hires a fool or a bystander is like an archer who shoots at random.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/26.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Like an archer who wounds everyone is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/26.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Like an archer who wounds at random is he who hires a fool or passerby.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/26.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The great <i>God</i> that formed all <i>things</i> both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/26.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The great <i>God</i> who formed everything Gives the fool <i>his</i> hire and the transgressor <i>his</i> wages.<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> an archer who wounds everyone, So is one who hires a fool or hires those who pass by.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/26.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Like an archer who wounds everyone, So is he who hires a fool or who hires those who pass by.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/26.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br /><i>Like</i> an archer who wounds everyone, So is he who hires a fool or who hires those who pass by.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/26.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br /><i>Like</i> an archer who wounds everyone, So is he who hires a fool or who hires those who pass by.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/26.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Like a [careless] archer who [shoots arrows wildly and] wounds everyone, So is he who hires a fool or those who [by chance just] pass by.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/26.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The one who hires a fool or who hires those passing by is like an archer who wounds everyone indiscriminately.<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 hires a fool or who hires those passing by is like an archer who wounds everyone. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/26.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />As an archer that woundeth all, So is he that hireth a fool and he that hireth them that pass by.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/26.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />It's no smarter to shoot arrows at every passerby than it is to hire a bunch of worthless nobodies. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/26.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />As an archer that woundeth all, so is he that hireth the fool and he that hireth them that pass by.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/26.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />[Like] many people who destroy everything, so is one who hires fools or drifters.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/26.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />An employer who hires any fool that comes along is only hurting everybody concerned. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/26.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />An archer who shoots at anyone— is like someone who hires a fool or anyone who passes by.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/26.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Like an archer who wounds at random is he who hires a fool or passerby.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/26.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Like an archer who wounds at random, so is the one who hires a fool or hires any passer-by. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/26.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />As an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or he who hires those who pass by.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/26.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/26.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />As an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or he who hires those who pass by. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/26.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />The Former of all [is] great, "" And He is rewarding a fool, "" And is rewarding transgressors.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/26.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Great is the Former of all, And He is rewarding a fool, And is rewarding transgressors.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/26.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The great one piercing all, and he hired the foolish one, and those passing by.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/26.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Judgment determineth causes: and he that putteth a fool to silence, appeaseth anger. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/26.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Judgment determines cases. And whoever imposes silence on the foolish mitigates anger.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/26.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />An archer wounding all who pass by is anyone who hires a drunken fool. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/26.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Like an archer who wounds everybody is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/26.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The body of a fool is greatly afflicted, and a drunkard thinks that he can cross a sea.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/26.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The flesh of the fool suffers much and a drunkard crosses the sea.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/26.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />A master performeth all things; But he that stoppeth a fool is as one that stoppeth a flood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/26.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />All the flesh of fools endures much hardship; for their fury is brought to nought.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/26-10.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=5345" 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">9</span>Like a thorn that falls into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. <span class="reftext">10</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7228.htm" title="7228: raḇ (N-ms) -- An archer. By contraction from rabab; an archer.">Like an archer</a> <a href="/hebrew/2490.htm" title="2490: mə·ḥō·w·lêl- (V-Piel-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to bore, i.e. to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane, to break, to begin; denom. to play.">who wounds</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kōl (N-ms) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">at random</a> <a href="/hebrew/7936.htm" title="7936: wə·śō·ḵêr (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- Or cakar; a primitive root (by prosthesis) to karah through the idea of temporary purchase; compare shakar); to hire.">is he who hires</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.">a fool</a> <a href="/hebrew/7936.htm" title="7936: wə·śō·ḵêr (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- Or cakar; a primitive root (by prosthesis) to karah through the idea of temporary purchase; compare shakar); to hire.">or</a> <a href="/hebrew/5674.htm" title="5674: ‘ō·ḇə·rîm (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To pass over, through, or by, pass on. A primitive root; to cross over; used very widely of any transition; specifically, to cover.">passerby.</a> </span><span class="reftext">11</span>As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.…<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="/psalms/7-15.htm">Psalm 7:15-16</a></span><br />He has dug a hole and hollowed it out; he has fallen into a pit of his own making. / His trouble recoils on himself, and his violence falls on his own head.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-13.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:13-15</a></span><br />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? / The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city.<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="/proverbs/1-32.htm">Proverbs 1:32</a></span><br />For the waywardness of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/19-29.htm">Proverbs 19:29</a></span><br />Judgments are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/44-25.htm">Isaiah 44:25</a></span><br />who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who confounds the wise and turns their knowledge into nonsense,<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="/proverbs/10-23.htm">Proverbs 10:23</a></span><br />The fool delights in shameful conduct, but a man of understanding has wisdom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/17-12.htm">Proverbs 17:12</a></span><br />It is better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/2-12.htm">2 Peter 2:12</a></span><br />These men are like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be captured and destroyed. They blaspheme in matters they do not understand, and like such creatures, they too will be destroyed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/12-11.htm">Proverbs 12:11</a></span><br />The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/14-7.htm">Proverbs 14:7</a></span><br />Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-22.htm">Romans 1:22</a></span><br />Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/15-21.htm">Proverbs 15:21</a></span><br />Folly is joy to one who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding walks a straight path.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/18-6.htm">Proverbs 18:6-7</a></span><br />A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating. / A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The great God that formed all things both rewards the fool, and rewards transgressors.</p><p class="hdg">both</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/11-31.htm">Proverbs 11:31</a></b></br> Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/2-6.htm">Romans 2:6</a></b></br> Who will render to every man according to his deeds:</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/6-5.htm">Archer</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-9.htm">Drunkard</a> <a href="/psalms/124-4.htm">Flood</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-9.htm">Fool</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-9.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/psalms/139-16.htm">Formed</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-23.htm">Former</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-6.htm">Great</a> <a href="/micah/1-7.htm">Hires</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-13.htm">Master</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-9.htm">Overcome</a> <a href="/mark/15-21.htm">Passer-By</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-15.htm">Passers-By</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-25.htm">Passing</a> <a href="/psalms/57-2.htm">Performeth</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-13.htm">Rewardeth</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-23.htm">Roughly</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-13.htm">Stoppeth</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-28.htm">Transgressors</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-24.htm">Worketh</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-30.htm">Wounding</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-29.htm">Wounds</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/jeremiah/4-29.htm">Archer</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-14.htm">Drunkard</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-4.htm">Flood</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-11.htm">Fool</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-11.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-5.htm">Formed</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-11.htm">Former</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-3.htm">Great</a> <a href="/micah/1-7.htm">Hires</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-18.htm">Master</a> <a href="/songs/2-5.htm">Overcome</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-17.htm">Passer-By</a> <a href="/ezekiel/39-15.htm">Passers-By</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-17.htm">Passing</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-26.htm">Performeth</a> <a href="/job/21-19.htm">Rewardeth</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/4-11.htm">Roughly</a> <a href="/isaiah/33-15.htm">Stoppeth</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-28.htm">Transgressors</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-28.htm">Worketh</a> <a href="/jeremiah/16-6.htm">Wounding</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-22.htm">Wounds</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'; 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In ancient warfare, archers were crucial, and their skill was vital for success. An archer who wounds at random is reckless and dangerous, highlighting the chaos and unpredictability of such actions. This imagery is used to illustrate the consequences of careless decisions. Biblically, this can be connected to the idea of wisdom and discernment, as seen in <a href="/proverbs/1-7.htm">Proverbs 1:7</a>, where the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. The randomness of the archer's actions contrasts with the order and purpose that God desires for His people.<p><b>is he who hires a fool or passerby</b><br>In ancient Israelite society, hiring someone was a significant decision, often involving trust and responsibility. A fool, in the biblical sense, is someone who lacks wisdom and understanding, often rejecting God's ways (<a href="/proverbs/1-22.htm">Proverbs 1:22</a>). Hiring a fool or a passerby—someone without a vested interest or understanding of the task—can lead to disastrous outcomes, much like the random wounding of an archer. This phrase warns against entrusting important tasks to those who are unqualified or unreliable. It reflects the broader biblical theme of seeking wisdom and counsel from those who are godly and wise, as seen in <a href="/proverbs/11-14.htm">Proverbs 11:14</a>, where there is safety in a multitude of counselors. This also points to the importance of discernment in leadership and decision-making, a quality exemplified by Jesus Christ, who chose His disciples with purpose and intention.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/a/archer.htm">Archer</a></b><br>In ancient times, an archer was a skilled warrior or hunter who used a bow and arrow. The imagery of an archer in this proverb suggests someone with the potential to cause harm or chaos if not careful.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/f/fool.htm">Fool</a></b><br>In the context of Proverbs, a fool is someone who lacks wisdom and understanding, often acting recklessly or without regard for consequences. The Hebrew word used here is (kesil), which denotes someone who is morally deficient or obstinate.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/p/passerby.htm">Passerby</a></b><br>This term refers to someone who is transient or not committed, often lacking the necessary knowledge or investment in a particular task or responsibility.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_carelessness.htm">The Danger of Carelessness</a></b><br>Just as an archer must aim carefully, we must be deliberate in our choices, especially when it comes to whom we trust with responsibilities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_hiring_fools.htm">The Consequences of Hiring Fools</a></b><br>Employing or partnering with those who lack wisdom can lead to unpredictable and often negative outcomes, much like an arrow shot without aim.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/discernment_in_relationships.htm">Discernment in Relationships</a></b><br>We must exercise discernment in our relationships and associations, ensuring that those we align with share our values and commitment to wisdom.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_wisdom.htm">The Value of Wisdom</a></b><br>This proverb underscores the importance of seeking wisdom and understanding, both in ourselves and in those we choose to work with.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/accountability_and_responsibility.htm">Accountability and Responsibility</a></b><br>We are accountable for the choices we make, including the people we hire or associate with. This calls for a responsible approach to decision-making.<a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/26.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(10) <span class= "bld">The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.</span>--If this rendering of the passage could stand, <a href="/matthew/6-2.htm" title="Therefore when you do your alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Truly I say to you, They have their reward.">Matthew 6:2</a> might be quoted in illustration of it. If fools and transgressors will set their mind upon "husks" (<a href="/luke/15-16.htm" title="And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave to him.">Luke 15:16</a>) instead of the food God has provided for His children, He does not deny it to them; they have the reward they seek for. But the Hebrew can hardly yield this meaning. Of all the various renderings suggested, perhaps the most unobjectionable is as follows. <span class= "ital">A master </span>(one skilled in his art), <span class= "ital">produces everything </span>(by his own care and oversight he sees himself that it is properly done); <span class= "ital">but a fool hires </span>(others to do his work), <span class= "ital">and he hires passers by., </span>i.e., any casual person that comes in his way, whether skilled or not, and so the work is done badly.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/26.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 10.</span> - Few passages have given greater difficulty than this verse; almost every word has been differently explained. The Authorized Version is, <span class="cmt_word">The great God that formed all things</span> <span class="cmt_word">both rewardeth the fool, and</span> re-<span class="cmt_word">wardeth</span> transgressors; Revised Version, <span class="accented">As an archer</span> (<a href="/job/16-13.htm">Job 16:13</a>) <span class="accented">that woundeth all</span>, <span class="accented">so is he that hireth the fool and he that hireth thorn that pass by</span>. At first sight one would hardly suppose that these could be versions of the same passage. To show the diversity that obtained in early times we quote the Greek and Latin versions. Septuagint, "All the flesh of fools is much distressed (<span class="greek">πολλὰ χειμάζεται</span>), for their distraction (<span class="greek">ἔκστασις</span>) is brought to nought;" Vulgate, "Judgment decides causes, and he who imposes silence on a fool appeases wrath." From the various interpretations of which this proverb is capable, it may be surmised that it was originally one of those hard sayings which were intended to exercise the ingenuity of auditors. It has certainly had that effect in modern times. We may at once eliminate the rendering of the Authorized Version, though the sense is good and scriptural, denoting that the great Creator recompenses the good and punishes sinners. So the medieval jingle - <p><span class="foreign">"Ante Dei vultum nihil unquam restat inultum."</span> God is not in the Hebrew, and <span class="accented">rab</span>, "great," is never used absolutely as equivalent to "God." Nor is the word used elsewhere to mean "head workman;" so the Revised Version margin, "a master worker formeth all things," is suspicious. Some translate, "A great man woundeth [equivalent to 'punisheth'] all; he renders their due to fools and to transgressors." One does not see why this should be attributed to the great man; it certainly is not generally true. Rosenmuller, "The mighty man causes terror; so does he who hires the fool and the transgressor;" but it is not clear why the hiring of a fool should occasion terror. The rendering in the Revised Version, or something very similar, has found favour with many modern commentators, though quite unknown to the mere ancient versions. According to this interpretation, the proverb says that a careless, random way of doing business, taking into one's service fools, or entrusting matters of importance to any chance loiterer, is as dangerous as shooting arrows about recklessly without caring whither they flew or whom they wounded. To this view Nowack objects that it is unparalleled to present an archer as a picture of what is unusual and profitless; that it does not explain why "hireth" is twice repeated; that the connection between shooter and the hire of fool and loiterer is net obvious; and that <span class="hebrew">עברים</span> does not mean "vagabonds" or "passers by." None of these objections are of much importance; and this interpretation still holds its ground. There is also much to be said for the rendering of the Revised Version margin, which is virtually that of Gesenius, Fleischer, Wordsworth, Nutt, and others: A skilful man, a master workman, produces, makes, everything by his own care and superintendence; but he that hires a fool to do his work hires, as it were, any casual vagabond who may know nothing of the business. One objection to this interpretation is that the verb <span class="hebrew">חולל</span>, does not elsewhere have the meaning here attributed to it. Considering all the above interpretations unsatisfactory, Hitzig, after Umbreit, followed herein by Delitzsch and Nowack, translates, "Much bringeth forth all," which means that he who possesses much can do anything, or, as St. <a href="/matthew/13-12.htm">Matthew 13:12</a>, "Whosoever hath, to him shall be given" (comp. <a href="/proverbs/1-5.htm">Proverbs 1:5</a>). But the second hemistich comes in rather lamely, "But he who hires a fool is as one who hires a vagabond." Hence Delitzsch reads <span class="hebrew">וּשְׂכַד</span> for the first <span class="hebrew">וְשכֵר</span>, and renders, "But the hire and the hirer of the fool pass away," <span class="accented">i</span>.<span class="accented">e</span>. what the fool gets as wages is soon squandered, and the person who took him into his service is ruined by his incapacity. In this case the connection of the two clauses would be this: A rich man, in the nature of things, grows richer; but there are exceptions to this rule; for he who employs stupid and incapable people to do his business suffers for it in property, reputation, and probably in person also; and the incompetent person derives no benefit from the connection. It is impossible to give a decided preference to any of these expositions; and the passage must be left as a crux. It is most probable that the Hebrew text is defective. This would account for the great variations in the versions. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/26-10.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 an archer</span><br /><span class="heb">רַ֥ב</span> <span class="translit">(raḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7227.htm">Strong's 7227: </a> </span><span class="str2">Much, many, great</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who wounds</span><br /><span class="heb">מְחֽוֹלֵֽל־</span> <span class="translit">(mə·ḥō·w·lêl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2342.htm">Strong's 2342: </a> </span><span class="str2">To twist, whirl, to dance, to writhe in pain, fear, to wait, to pervert</span><br /><br /><span class="word">at random</span><br /><span class="heb">כֹּ֑ל</span> <span class="translit">(kōl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is he who hires</span><br /><span class="heb">וְשֹׂכֵ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(wə·śō·ḵêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7936.htm">Strong's 7936: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hire</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a fool</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּ֝סִ֗יל</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 /><br /><span class="word">or</span><br /><span class="heb">וְשֹׂכֵ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(wə·śō·ḵêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7936.htm">Strong's 7936: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hire</span><br /><br /><span class="word">passer-by.</span><br /><span class="heb">עֹבְרִֽים׃</span> <span class="translit">(‘ō·ḇə·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5674.htm">Strong's 5674: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pass over, through, or by, pass on</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/26-10.htm">Proverbs 26:10 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/26-10.htm">Proverbs 26:10 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/26-10.htm">Proverbs 26:10 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/26-10.htm">Proverbs 26:10 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/26-10.htm">Proverbs 26:10 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/26-10.htm">Proverbs 26:10 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/26-10.htm">Proverbs 26:10 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/26-10.htm">Proverbs 26:10 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/26-10.htm">Proverbs 26:10 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/26-10.htm">Proverbs 26:10 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/26-10.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 26:10 As an archer who wounds all so (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/26-9.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 26:9"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 26:9" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/26-11.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 26:11"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 26:11" /></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>