New King James Version
Proverbs 10:26
26As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, So is the lazy man to those who send him.
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.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard 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
24The fear of the wicked will come upon him, And the desire of the righteous will be granted. 25When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, But the righteous has an everlasting foundation. As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, So is the lazy man to those who send him. 27The fear of the Lord prolongs days, But the years of the wicked will be shortened. 28The hope of the righteous will be gladness, But the expectation of the wicked will perish.
Read all of Proverbs 10Proverbs 10:26 word by word
כַּחֹ֤מֶץ׀ לַשִּׁנַּ֗יִם וְכֶעָשָׁ֥ן לָעֵינָ֑יִם כֵּ֥ן הֶ֝עָצֵ֗ל לְשֹׁלְחָֽיו׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 10:26
- Proverbs 25:13Like the cold of snow in time of harvest Is a faithful messenger to those who send him, For he refreshes the soul of his masters.
- Isaiah 65:5Who say, ‘Keep to yourself, Do not come near me, For I am holier than you!’ These are smoke in My nostrils, A fire that burns all the day.
- Matthew 25:26“But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.
- Romans 12:11not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
- Hebrews 6:12that you do not become sluggish, but imitate 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
In the dictionaries
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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries