Proverbs 26:16

Proverbs 26:16 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
• New International Version (NIV)A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven people who answer discreetly.
• English Standard Version (ESV)The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.
• New King James Version (NKJV)The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can answer sensibly.

Context of Proverbs 26:16

14A lazy person turns over in his bed, like a door that continues to open and close. 15A lazy person pushes his hand into his bowl of food. But then he is too tired to lift his hand up to his mouth. A lazy person thinks that he is very wise. He thinks that he is wiser than seven people who can answer questions well. 17When strangers are arguing, only a fool joins the argument. It would be better if he took hold of a wild dog's ears! 18A crazy man may shoot sharp arrows to kill people.

Proverbs 26:16 word by word

חָכָ֣ם עָצֵ֣ל בְּעֵינָ֑יו מִ֝שִּׁבְעָ֗ה מְשִׁ֣יבֵי טָֽעַם׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• The sluggardעָצֵל‛âtsêl · sluggishH6102
• wiserחָכָםchâkâm · wiseH2450
• in his own conceitעַ֫יִן‛ayin · eyeH5869
• than seven menשֶׁ֫בַעsheba‛ shib‛âh · sevenH7651
• that can renderשׁוּבshûb · to return: replyH7725
• a reasonטַ֫עַםţa‛am · tasteH2940

Cross-references for Proverbs 26:16

• Proverbs 26:12Some men think that they are already wise. A fool is more likely to learn something than they are.
• Proverbs 12:15Foolish people always do what seems right to them. But wise people listen to advice from others.
• 1 Peter 3:15Instead, always remember that Christ is your Lord. Let him rule how you live. People may ask you, ‘Why do you trust God to help you?’ You must always be ready to answer them about that.

Commentaries on Proverbs 26:16

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16Than seven men that can render a reason - Seven here only means perfection, abundance, or multitude. He is wiser in his own eyes than a multitude of the wisest men. "Than seven men that sytt and teach." - Coverdale; i.e., than seven doctors of the law, or heads of the schools of the prophets, who always sat while they taught.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16Seven - The definite number used for the indefinite (compare Proverbs 24:16). Reason - Better, a right judgment.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 16Verse 16 He that takes pains in religion, knows he is working for a good Master, and that his labour shall not be in vain.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 13-16The slacker: See Proverbs 6:6–11; 10:4–5; 15:19; 22:13.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1616. The thoughtless being ignorant of their ignorance are conceited.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 26:16

• Conceit
• Idleness
• Pride
• Sarcasm
• Seven
• Slothfulness

In the dictionaries

• Causeless
• Conceit
• Kindle
• Render
• Seemly
• Seven
• Sport
• Talebearer
• Hezekiah (2)
• Proverb

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