Thematic Bible

Themes in Proverbs 26

HCSB

Themes in Proverbs 26

Proverbs 26:1 (show verse)

Like snow in summer and rain at harvest,
honor is inappropriate for a fool.

Agriculture » Operations in » Harvest
Fools » Honor is unbecoming for
Harvest » Natural
Harvest » Illustrative » (rain in,) of honor given to fools
Honor » Who honor is not seemly for
Rain » Unusual in harvest time
Snow » General references to
Summer » Snow in

Proverbs 26:2 (show verse)

Like a flitting sparrow or a fluttering swallow,
an undeserved curse goes nowhere.

Curses » The curse causeless

Proverbs 26:3 (show verse)

A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
and a rod for the backs of fools.

Ass (donkey) » Domesticated » Bridles for
Domestic Donkeys » Governed by a bridle
Chastisement » Who chastening is for
Correction » Rod of correction
Punishment » Design of » To secure obedience
Rod » Of correction

Proverbs 26:4 (show verse)

Don’t answer a fool according to his foolishness
or you’ll be like him yourself.

Speaking » Folly in
Speech/communication » How not to answer a fool

Proverbs 26:5 (show verse)

Answer a fool according to his foolishness
or he’ll become wise in his own eyes.

Conceit » Warnings against
Speech/communication » How not to answer a fool

Proverbs 26:6 (show verse)

The one who sends a message by a fool’s hand
cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.

Sending and those sent » Those that send a message by the hand of a fool

Proverbs 26:7 (show verse)

A proverb in the mouth of a fool
is like lame legs that hang limp.

Parables » Parables in the mouths of fools
Speaking » Folly in
Speech/communication » The mouth of a fool

Proverbs 26:8 (show verse)

Giving honor to a fool
is like binding a stone in a sling.

Fools » Honor is unbecoming for
Honor » Those that give honor to a fool
Sling » Used for throwing stones

Proverbs 26:9 (show verse)

A proverb in the mouth of a fool
is like a stick with thorns,
brandished by the hand of a drunkard.

Drunkards » Drunkards, general references to
Drunkenness » Drunks
Intemperance » Examples of » Drunkards, general references to
Intoxication » Examples of » Drunkards, general references to
Speaking » Folly in
Temperance » Drunkards examples of » General references to

Proverbs 26:10 (show verse)

The one who hires a fool or who hires those passing by
is like an archer who wounds everyone.

Fools » Punishment of
Transgression » Transgressors

Proverbs 26:11 (show verse)

As a dog returns to its vomit,
so a fool repeats his foolishness.

Dog » Habits of » Returns to eat his own vomit
Dogs » Illustrative » Of fools
Folly » Of men » General references to
Folly » Who returns to their folly
Fools » Cling to their folly
Sin » Love of
Sin » Against knowledge
Wicked people » Compared with » Dogs
Wicked, the, are compared to » Dogs

Proverbs 26:12 (show verse)

Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Conceit » Warnings against
false Confidence » In self
Pride » A hindrance to improvement
Wisdom » Those that are wise in their own eyes

Proverbs 26:13 (show verse)

The slacker says, “There’s a lion in the road—
a lion in the public square!”

Laziness » Lazy people
Lions » Illustrative » Of imaginary fears of the slothful

Proverbs 26:14 (show verse)

A door turns on its hinges,
and a slacker, on his bed.

Beds » The slothful too fond of
Door » Hinges for
Idleness and sloth » Illustrated
Laziness » Lazy people

Proverbs 26:15 (show verse)

The slacker buries his hand in the bowl;
he is too weary to bring it to his mouth.

Idleness and sloth » Produce apathy
Laziness » Lazy people

Proverbs 26:16 (show verse)

In his own eyes, a slacker is wiser
than seven men who can answer sensibly.

Idleness and sloth » Accompanied by conceit
Laziness » Lazy people
Sarcasm » Instances of » Of solomon
Seven » Miscellany of sevens » Seven magi (wise men)
Wisdom » Who is wise in their own conceit

Proverbs 26:17 (show verse)

A person who is passing by and meddles in a quarrel that’s not his
is like one who grabs a dog by the ears.

Animals » Names of » Dogs
Busy-bodies » Bring mischief upon themselves
Dogs » Described as » Impatient of injury
Dogs » General references
Strife » Causes of » Forbidden
Strife » Those that meddle with strife
Strife » Danger of joining in--illustrated

Proverbs 26:18 (show verse)

Like a madman who throws flaming darts and deadly arrows,

Arrows » Deadly and destructive weapons
Deception » Deceivers
Firebrand » Figurative

Proverbs 26:19 (show verse)

so is the man who deceives his neighbor
and says, “I was only joking!”

Deception » Deceivers

Proverbs 26:20 (show verse)

Without wood, fire goes out;
without a gossip, conflict dies down.

Contention » Where contention ceases
Evil » Speech evil speaking » Talebearers condemned
Fire » Kept alive by fuel
Slander » Effects of » Strife
Speaking, evil » Talebearers condemned
Speech/communication » Talebearers
Strife » Who kindles strife
Strife » Excited by » Tale-bearing
Strife » Where strife ceases

Proverbs 26:21 (show verse)

As charcoal for embers and wood for fire,
so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.

Contention » Contentious people
Contentiousness » The contentious spirit
Dissention » The contentious spirit
Fire » Things connected with » Burning coals
Speech/communication » Talebearers
Strife » Who kindles strife
Strife » Excited by » A contentious disposition
Strife » Causes of » Contentious spirit

Proverbs 26:22 (show verse)

A gossip’s words are like choice food
that goes down to one’s innermost being.

Evil » Whispering » Evil whispering, general references to
Evil » Speech evil speaking » Evil whispering, general references to
Slander » Effects of » Deadly wounds
Speaking, evil » Whispering, evil, general references to
Speech/communication » Talebearers

Proverbs 26:23 (show verse)

Smooth lips with an evil heart
are like glaze on an earthen vessel.

Dross » Figurative
Heart » The heart of the wicked
Religion » Characteristics of » False profession
Silver » Refining of
Silver » Dross from
Speech/communication » Burning lips
Wicked people » Compared with » Potsherds
Wicked, the, are compared to » Potsherds
FALSE » Religion characteristics of » False profession
FALSE » Economy » Profession of religion

Proverbs 26:24 (show verse)

A hateful person disguises himself with his speech
and harbors deceit within.

Deceit » Hatred often concealed by
Hate » Those that hate
Hatred » Leads to deceit

Proverbs 26:25 (show verse)

When he speaks graciously, don’t believe him,
for there are seven abominations in his heart.

Deceit » Hatred often concealed by
Hatred » Leads to deceit
Hypocrisy » General references to
Religion » Hypocrisy, an ever present element in false religion » General references to

Proverbs 26:26 (show verse)

Though his hatred is concealed by deception,
his evil will be revealed in the assembly.

Deceit » Hatred often concealed by
Exposure » Of sin » Inevitable
Hatred » Often cloaked by deceit
Sin » Excuses offered for » Exposure of, inevitable

Proverbs 26:27 (show verse)

The one who digs a pit will fall into it,
and whoever rolls a stone—
it will come back on him.

Deceit » Hatred often concealed by
Pit » Figurative
The wicked » Appointed by God corrupt » Snared

Proverbs 26:28 (show verse)

A lying tongue hates those it crushes,
and a flattering mouth causes ruin.

>

Deceit » Hatred often concealed by
Flattery » Flattering mouths
Hatred » Liars prone to
Lying » Leads to » Hatred
Lying/lies » Lying lips
Speech/communication » Flattering mouths