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 rain at harvest, honor does not befit a fool. 2Like a fluttering sparrow or darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest. A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools! 4Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like him. 5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes.

Proverbs 26:3 word by word

שׁ֣וֹט לַ֭סּוּס מֶ֣תֶג לַחֲמ֑וֹר וְ֝שֵׁ֗בֶט לְגֵ֣ו כְּסִילִֽים׃Read the interlinear

• A whipשׁוֹטshôţ · whipH7752
• for the horseסוּסsûs sûs · horseH5483
• a bridleמֶ֫תֶגmetheg · bridleH4964
• for the donkeyחֲמוֹרchămôr chămôr · donkeyH2543
• and a rodשֵׁ֫בֶטshêbeţ · tribe: staffH7626
• for the backsגֵּוgêv · backH1460
• of foolsכְּסִילkesîyl · foolH3684

Cross-references for Proverbs 26:3

• Proverbs 10:13Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks judgment.
• Proverbs 17:10A rebuke cuts into a man of discernment deeper than a hundred lashes cut into a fool.
• Proverbs 19:25Strike a mocker, and the simple will beware; rebuke the discerning man, and he will gain knowledge.
• Proverbs 27:22Though you grind a fool like grain with mortar and a pestle, yet his folly will not depart from him.
• Judges 8:5So Gideon said to the men of Succoth, “Please give my troops some bread, for they are exhausted, and I am still pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.”
• Psalms 32:9Do not be like the horse or mule, which have no understanding; they must be controlled with bit and bridle to make them come to you.
• 1 Corinthians 4:21Which do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and with a gentle spirit?
• 2 Corinthians 10:6And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, as soon as your obedience is complete.
• 2 Corinthians 13:2I already warned you the second time I was with you. So now in my absence I warn those who sinned earlier and everyone else: If I return, 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