Proverbs 26:8

Proverbs 26:8 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
• New International Version (NIV)Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honor to a fool.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Like one who binds the stone in the sling is one who gives honor to a fool.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Like one who binds a stone in a sling Is he who gives honor to a fool.

Context of Proverbs 26:8

6He who sends a message by the hand of a fool Cuts off his own feet (sabotages himself) and drinks the violence [it brings on himself as a consequence]. 7Like the legs which are useless to the lame, So is a proverb in the mouth of a fool [who cannot learn from its wisdom]. Like one who [absurdly] binds a stone in a sling [making it impossible to throw], So is he who [absurdly] gives honor to a fool. 9Like 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]. 10Like 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.

Proverbs 26:8 word by word

כִּצְר֣וֹר אֶ֭בֶן בְּמַרְגֵּמָ֑ה כֵּן־נוֹתֵ֖ן לִכְסִ֣יל כָּבֽוֹד׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• As he that bindethצָרַרtsârar · to constrainH6887
• As he that bindethצְרוֹרtserôr tserôr · bundleH6872
• a stoneאֶ֫בֶן'eben · stoneH68
• in a slingמַרְגֵּמָהmargêmâh · slingH4773
• he that givethנָתַןnâthan · to give: giveH5414
• honourכָּבוֹדkâbôd kâbôd · gloryH3519
• to a foolכְּסִילkesîyl · foolH3684

Cross-references for Proverbs 26:8

• Proverbs 26:1Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a [shortsighted] fool.
• Proverbs 19:10Luxury is not fitting for a fool; Much less for a slave to rule over princes.
• Proverbs 30:22Under a servant when he reigns, Under a [spiritually blind] fool when he is filled with food,

Commentaries on Proverbs 26:8

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 8As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honor to a fool - It is entirely thrown away. This, however, is a difficult proverb; and the versions give but little light on the subject. The Hebrew may be translated, "As a piece of precious stone among a heap of stones, so is he that giveth honor to a fool." Or, As he that putteth a precious stone in a heap of stones. See Parkhurst: but on this interpretation the meaning would rather be, "It…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 8i. e., “To give honor to the fool is like binding a stone in a sling; you cannot throw it.” In each case you misapply and so waste. Others render in the sense of the margin: To use a precious stone where a pebble would be sufficient, is not less foolish than to give honor to a fool.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 6-9Verses 6-9 Fools are not fit to be trusted, nor to have any honour. Wise sayings, as a foolish man delivers and applies them, lose their usefulness.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 88. A stone, bound in a sling, is useless; so honor, conferred on a fool, is thrown away.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 26:8

• Fool
• Sling

In the dictionaries

• Causeless
• Conceit
• Kindle
• Render
• Seemly
• Sling
• Sport
• Talebearer
• Gem
• Heap

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