New King James Version
Proverbs 26:3
3A whip for the horse, A bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the fool’s back.
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!
- English Standard Version (ESV)A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.
- 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
1As snow in summer and rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool. 2Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, So a curse without cause shall not alight. A whip for the horse, A bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the fool’s back. 4Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him. 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 10:13Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding, But a rod is for the back of him who is devoid of understanding.
- Proverbs 17:10Rebuke is more effective for a wise man Than a hundred blows on a fool.
- Proverbs 19:25Strike a scoffer, and the simple will become wary; Rebuke one who has understanding, and he will discern knowledge.
- Proverbs 27:22Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, Yet his foolishness will not depart from him.
- Judges 8:5Then 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 Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.”
- Psalms 32:9Do not be like the horse or like the mule, Which have no understanding, Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, Else they will not come near you.
- 1 Corinthians 4:21What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?
- 2 Corinthians 10:6and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
- 2 Corinthians 13:2I have told you before, and foretell as if I were present the second time, and now being absent I write to those who have sinned before, and to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare—
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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries