English Standard Version
Proverbs 26:3
3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.
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!
- New King James Version (NKJV)A whip for the horse, A bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the fool’s back.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Guide a horse with a whip, a donkey with a bridle, and a fool with a rod to his back!
Context of Proverbs 26:3
1Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool. 2Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight. A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools. 4Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. 5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
Read all of Proverbs 26Proverbs 26:3 word by word
שׁ֣וֹט לַ֭סּוּס מֶ֣תֶג לַחֲמ֑וֹר וְ֝שֵׁ֗בֶט לְגֵ֣ו כְּסִילִֽים׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 26:3
- Proverbs 10:13On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense.
- Proverbs 17:10A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.
- Proverbs 19:25Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge.
- Proverbs 27:22Crush a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, yet his folly will not depart from him.
- Judges 8:5So he said to the men of Succoth, "Please give loaves of bread to the people who follow me, for they are exhausted, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian."
- Psalms 32:9Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.
- 1 Corinthians 4:21What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?
- 2 Corinthians 10:6being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.
- 2 Corinthians 13:2I warned those who sinned before and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that if I come again I will not spare them—
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
In the dictionaries
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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries