Proverbs 10:26

Proverbs 10:26 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.
• New International Version (NIV)As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so are sluggards to those who send them.
• New King James Version (NKJV)As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, So is the lazy man to those who send him.
• New Living Translation (NLT)Lazy people irritate their employers, like vinegar to the teeth or smoke in the eyes.

Context of Proverbs 10:26

24What the wicked dreads will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted. 25When the tempest passes, the wicked is no more, but the righteous is established forever. Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him. 27The fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short. 28The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.

Proverbs 10:26 word by word

כַּחֹ֤מֶץ׀ לַשִּׁנַּ֗יִם וְכֶעָשָׁ֥ן לָעֵינָ֑יִם כֵּ֥ן הֶ֝עָצֵ֗ל לְשֹׁלְחָֽיו׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• As vinegarחֹ֫מֶץchômets · vinegarH2558
• to the teethשֵׁןshên · toothH8127
• and as smokeעָשָׁן‛âshân · smokeH6227
• to the eyesעַ֫יִן‛ayin · eyeH5869
• the sluggardעָצֵל‛âtsêl · sluggishH6102
• to them that sendשָׁלַחshâlach · to send: departH7971

Cross-references for Proverbs 10:26

• Proverbs 25:13Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.
• Isaiah 65:5who say, "Keep to yourself, do not come near me, for I am too holy for you." These are a smoke in my nostrils, a fire that burns all the day.
• Matthew 25:26But his master answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed?
• Romans 12:11Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
• Hebrews 6:12so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Commentaries on Proverbs 10:26

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 26As vinegar to the teeth - The acid softening and dissolving the alkali of the bone, so as to impair their texture, and render them incapable of masticating; and as smoke affects the eyes, irritating their tender vessels, so as to give pain and prevent distinct vision; so the sluggard, the lounging, thriftless messenger, who never returns in time with the desired answer.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 26The teeth set on edge by the sour wine used by peasants Rth 2:14 ; Psalm 69:21, the eye irritated by wood-smoke, these shadow the annoyance of having a messenger who will loiter on the way.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 26Verse 26 As vinegar sets the teeth on edge, and as the smoke causes the eyes to smart, so the sluggard vexes his employer.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2626. that is, causes vexation.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 10:26

• Idleness
• Slothfulness
• Teeth
• Vinegar

In the dictionaries

• Famish
• Glad
• Harvest
• Poetry
• Refuse
• Rod
• Surely
• Uprightly
• Vinegar
• God

Commentaries on Proverbs 10

• 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
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings