Tree of Life Version
Proverbs 26:3
3A whip for a horse, a bridle for a 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!
- 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.
Context of Proverbs 26:3
1Like snow in summer or rain at harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool. 2Like a fluttering sparrow or a flying swallow, so an undeserved curse does not land. A whip for a horse, a bridle for a donkey, and a rod for the back of fools. 4Do not answer a fool according to his folly, else you also will be like him. 5Answer a fool according to his folly, else he will 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 the discerning, but a rod is for the back of one lacking sense.
- Proverbs 17:10A rebuke makes a greater impression on a discerning person than a hundred lashes on a fool.
- Proverbs 19:25Strike a scoffer and the naïve will learn caution. rebuke a discerning person and he will gain knowledge.
- Proverbs 27:22Even if you pound the fool along with the grain in a mortar with a pestle, his foolishness would never leave him.
- Judges 8:5He said to the men of Succoth, “Please, give loaves of bread to the people on foot with me, for they are exhausted, and I am chasing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.”
- Psalms 32:9Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding, and must be held in with bit and bridle or they will not come to 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 10:6ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.
- 2 Corinthians 13:2I spoke a warning, when I was with you the second time. Though now I am away, I am again speaking a warning to those who have sinned before, as well as to all the rest, that if I come again, I will not spare anyone—
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
Tree of Life Version — © 2015 The Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society
Commentaries