Proverbs 26:3

Proverbs 26:3 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.
• New International Version (NIV)A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!
• English Standard Version (ESV)A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.
• New King James Version (NKJV)A whip for the horse, A bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the fool’s back.

Context of Proverbs 26:3

1Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a [shortsighted] fool. 2Like the sparrow in her wandering, like the swallow in her flying, So the curse without cause does not come and alight [on the undeserving]. A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the backs of fools [who refuse to learn]. 4Do not answer [nor pretend to agree with the frivolous comments of] a [closed-minded] fool according to his folly, Otherwise you, even you, will be like him. 5Answer [and correct the erroneous concepts of] a fool according to his folly, Otherwise he will be wise in his own eyes [if he thinks you agree with him].

Proverbs 26:3 word by word

שׁ֣וֹט לַ֭סּוּס מֶ֣תֶג לַחֲמ֑וֹר וְ֝שֵׁ֗בֶט לְגֵ֣ו כְּסִילִֽים׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• A whipשׁוֹטshôţ · whipH7752
• for the horseסוּסsûs sûs · horseH5483
• a bridleמֶ֫תֶגmetheg · bridleH4964
• for the assחֲמוֹרchămôr chămôr · donkeyH2543
• and a rodשֵׁ֫בֶטshêbeţ · tribe: staffH7626
• for the fool’sכְּסִילkesîyl · foolH3684
• backגֵּוgêv · backH1460

Cross-references for Proverbs 26:3

• Proverbs 10:13On the lips of the discerning, [skillful and godly] wisdom is found, But discipline and the rod are for the back of the one who is without common sense and understanding.
• Proverbs 17:10A reprimand goes deeper into one who has understanding and a teachable spirit Than a hundred lashes into a fool.
• Proverbs 19:25Strike a scoffer [for refusing to learn], and the naive may [be warned and] become prudent; Reprimand one who has understanding and a teachable spirit, and he will gain knowledge and insight.
• Proverbs 27:22Even though you pound a [hardened, arrogant] fool [who rejects wisdom] in a mortar with a pestle like grain, Yet his foolishness will not leave him.
• Judges 8:5He said to the men of Succoth, “Please give loaves of bread to the people who are following me since they are exhausted, and I am pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.”
• Psalms 32:9Do not be like the horse or like the mule which have no understanding, Whose trappings include bridle and rein to hold them in check, Otherwise they will not come near to you.
• 1 Corinthians 4:21Which do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod [of discipline and correction], or with love and a gentle spirit?
• 2 Corinthians 10:6being ready to punish every act of disobedience, when your own obedience [as a church] is complete.
• 2 Corinthians 13:2I have already warned those who have sinned in the past and all the rest as well, and I warn them now even though I am absent [from you] as I did when I was with you the second time, that if I come back I will not spare anyone,

Commentaries on Proverbs 26:3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3A whip for the horse - Correction is as suitable to a fool, as a whip is for a horse, or a bridle for an ass.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 3Verse 3 Every creature must be dealt with according to its nature, but careless and profligate sinners never will be ruled by reason and persuasion. Man indeed is born like the wild ass's colt; but some, by the grace of God, are changed.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3A fool is like a simple animal that needs strong guidance (see Proverbs 10:13; 14:3).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. The rod is as much needed by fools and as well suited to them, as whips and bridles are for beasts.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 26:3

• Ass (Donkey)
• Bridle
• Fool
• Punishment
• Whip

In the dictionaries

• Bit
• Causeless
• Conceit
• Kindle
• Render
• Seemly
• Sport
• Talebearer
• Bit and Bridle
• Hezekiah (2)

Commentaries on Proverbs 26

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings