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.
• 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.
• 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, honor is not fitting for a fool. 2Like a fluttering sparrow or a 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 just like him. 5Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.

Proverbs 26:3 word by word

שׁ֣וֹט לַ֭סּוּס מֶ֣תֶג לַחֲמ֑וֹר וְ֝שֵׁ֗בֶט לְגֵ֣ו כְּסִילִֽים׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• A whipשׁוֹטshôţ · whipH7752
• for the horseסוּסsûs sûs · horseH5483
• a bridleמֶ֫תֶגmetheg · bridleH4964
• for the assחֲמוֹרchămôr chămôr · donkeyH2543
• and a rodשֵׁ֫בֶטshêbeţ · tribe: staffH7626
• for the fool’sכְּסִילkesîyl · foolH3684
• backגֵּוgêv · backH1460

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 one who has no sense.
• Proverbs 17:10A rebuke impresses a discerning person more than a hundred lashes a fool.
• Proverbs 19:25Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke the discerning, and they will gain knowledge.
• Proverbs 27:22Though you grind a fool in a mortar, grinding them like grain with a pestle, you will not remove their folly from them.
• Judges 8:5He said to the men of Sukkoth, “Give my troops some bread; they are worn out, and I am still pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.”
• Psalms 32:9Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.
• 1 Corinthians 4:21What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline, or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit?
• 2 Corinthians 10:6And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.
• 2 Corinthians 13:2I already gave you a warning when I was with you the second time. I now repeat it while absent: On my return I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others,

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