Proverbs Chapter 26 verse 9 Holy Bible

ASV Proverbs 26:9

`As' a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
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BBE Proverbs 26:9

Like a thorn which goes up into the hand of a man overcome by drink, so is a wise saying in the mouth of a foolish man.
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DARBY Proverbs 26:9

[As] a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
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KJV Proverbs 26:9

As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouths of fools.
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WBT Proverbs 26:9


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WEB Proverbs 26:9

Like a thornbush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
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YLT Proverbs 26:9

A thorn hath gone up into the hand of a drunkard, And a parable in the mouth of fools.
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Pulpit Commentary

Pulpit CommentaryVerse 9. - As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard. There is here no idea of the drunkard's hand being pierced with a thorn while he is insensible to the pain, but rather of his being armed with it, and ripe for mischief. So it is best to render, "A thornbush cometh into the hand of a drunkard;" he somehow gets possession of it, and in his stupid excitement is liable to become dangerous. Some understand עלה of the growth of the thorn; thus the Septuagint, "Thorns grow in the hand of a drunkard;" Vulgate, "As if a thorn grew in the hand of a drunkard." But one does not see the bearing of such an expression; and the translation given above is more appropriate. So is a parable, etc. (as ver. 7). In that passage the wise saying in a fool's mouth was compared with something useless, here it is compared with something injurious. He employs it purposely to wound others; or by the ignorant use of some sharp-edged word he does much mischief. In this hemistich the LXX. has read משל with a different vocalization, and renders, "servitude (δουλεία) in the hand of fools." This seems to mean that it comes natural to fools to be manacled and restrained by force.

Ellicott's Commentary

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(9) As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard.--Rather, (As) a thornbush (which) comes into the hand of a drunkard, so (is) a parable (which comes) into the mouth of fools. They know not how to use it, and only do themselves and others harm by it. (Comp. 2Peter 3:16.)