Proverbs 26:11
Proverbs 26:11 in Multiple Translations
As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.
As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
As a dog that returneth to his vomit, So is a fool that repeateth his folly.
Like a dog going back to the food which he has not been able to keep down, is the foolish man doing his foolish acts over again.
Stupid people repeat their stupidity like a dog returning to its vomit.
As a dog turneth againe to his owne vomit, so a foole turneth to his foolishnes.
As a dog hath returned to its vomit, A fool is repeating his folly.
As a dog that returns to his vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly.
As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is the fool that repeateth his folly.
A foolish person will foolishly do something stupid a second time; it is like [SIM] a dog returning to eat what it has vomited.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 26:11
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 26:11 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כְּ֭/כֶלֶב
שָׁ֣ב
עַל
קֵא֑/וֹ
כְּ֝סִ֗יל
שׁוֹנֶ֥ה
בְ/אִוַּלְתּֽ/וֹ
כְּ֭/כֶלֶב
keleb
H3611
dog
Prep | N-ms
שָׁ֣ב
shûwb
H7725
to return
V-Qal
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
קֵא֑/וֹ
qêʼ
H6892
vomit
N-ms | Suff
כְּ֝סִ֗יל
kᵉçîyl
H3684
fool
Adj
שׁוֹנֶ֥ה
shânâh
H8138
to change
V-Qal
בְ/אִוַּלְתּֽ/וֹ
ʼivveleth
H200
folly
Prep | N-fs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 26:11
כְּ֭/כֶלֶב
keleb
H3611
"dog"
Prep | N-ms
In the Bible, this word means dog, but it can also refer to someone who is despised or considered lowly. It is sometimes used to describe a male prostitute in a pagan context. The word appears in various books, including Exodus and Deuteronomy.
Definition: 1) dog 1a) dog (literal) 1b) contempt or abasement (fig.) 1c) of pagan sacrifice 1d) of male cult prostitute (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 31 OT verses. KJV: dog. See also: Exodus 11:7; 2 Kings 8:13; Psalms 22:17.
שָׁ֣ב
shûwb
H7725
"to return"
V-Qal
This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.
Definition: : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back 1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment 1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore 1d3) to bring back, report to, answer 1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense) 1d5) to turn back or backward, repel, defeat, repulse, hinder, reject, refuse 1d6) to turn away (face), turn toward 1d7) to turn against 1d8) to bring back to mind 1d9) to show a turning away 1d10) to reverse, revoke 1e) (Hophal) to be returned, be restored, be brought back 1f) (Pulal) brought back
Usage: Occurs in 953 OT verses. KJV: ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. See also: Genesis 3:19; Numbers 8:25; Judges 8:13.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
קֵא֑/וֹ
qêʼ
H6892
"vomit"
N-ms | Suff
This Hebrew word means to vomit, and it is used in the Bible to describe the act of throwing up. It is found in Proverbs 26:11 and 2 Peter 2:22. Vomiting is used as a metaphor for spiritual decay.
Definition: vomit, what is vomited up Another spelling of qi (קִיא "vomit" H6892B)
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: vomit. See also: Proverbs 26:11; Isaiah 28:8; Isaiah 19:14.
כְּ֝סִ֗יל
kᵉçîyl
H3684
"fool"
Adj
This Hebrew word describes a fool or someone who is stupid and silly. It is often used to describe people who reject God's wisdom. The Bible uses this word to warn against foolish behavior.
Definition: fool, stupid fellow, dullard, simpleton, arrogant one
Usage: Occurs in 69 OT verses. KJV: fool(-ish). See also: Psalms 49:11; Proverbs 19:13; Psalms 92:7.
שׁוֹנֶ֥ה
shânâh
H8138
"to change"
V-Qal
This Hebrew word means to repeat or do something again, as seen in Exodus when God repeats his command to Moses. It can also imply changing or altering something. In the Bible, it is used to describe actions like repeating a task or changing one's behavior.
Definition: 1) change, alter 1a) (Qal) to change 1b) (Piel) to change, alter 1c) (Pual) to be changed, mollified 1d) (Hithpael) to disguise oneself
Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: do (speak, strike) again, alter, double, (be given to) change, disguise, (be) diverse, pervert, prefer, repeat, return, do the second time. See also: Genesis 41:32; Job 14:20; Psalms 34:1.
בְ/אִוַּלְתּֽ/וֹ
ʼivveleth
H200
"folly"
Prep | N-fs | Suff
This Hebrew word means foolishness or silliness, describing someone's ridiculous behavior. It is used to convey a sense of absurdity or nonsense, as seen in the KJV translations of folly and foolishness.
Definition: foolishness, folly
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: folly, foolishly(-ness). See also: Psalms 38:6; Proverbs 15:14; Psalms 69:6.
Study Notes — Proverbs 26:11
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 26:11 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 26:11
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 26:11
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 26:11
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 26:11
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 26:11
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 26:11
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 26:11
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 26:11
- Sermons on Proverbs 26:11
Context — Similitudes and Instructions
9Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
10Like an archer who wounds at random is he who hires a fool or passerby.
11As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.
12Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. 13The slacker says, “A lion is in the road! A fierce lion roams the public square!”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Peter 2:22 | Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.” |
| 2 | Matthew 12:45 | Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and dwell there; and the final plight of that man is worse than the first. So will it be with this wicked generation.” |
| 3 | Exodus 8:15 | When Pharaoh saw that there was relief, however, he hardened his heart and would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had said. |
Proverbs 26:11 Summary
This verse means that people who don't learn from their mistakes will keep making the same errors over and over, just like a dog that goes back to its vomit. It's a warning to us to be careful not to fall into patterns of sinful or unwise behavior, and to instead seek wisdom and humility, as taught in Proverbs 9:9 and James 1:5. By doing so, we can break free from these patterns and live a more wise and godly life, as encouraged in Psalms 37:24. Remember, it's okay to make mistakes, but it's not okay to keep repeating them, as seen in the example of the dog in Proverbs 26:11.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the comparison of a dog returning to its vomit mean in Proverbs 26:11?
This comparison illustrates the idea that just as a dog returns to something disgusting, a fool repeatedly engages in sinful or unwise behavior, despite its harmful consequences, as seen in Proverbs 26:11, similar to the concept in 2 Peter 2:22.
Is this verse saying that people who make mistakes are fools?
No, this verse is specifically referring to those who repeatedly engage in foolish behavior, despite knowing better, not those who make honest mistakes and learn from them, as encouraged in Proverbs 24:16 and Psalms 37:24.
How can I avoid being like the fool in Proverbs 26:11?
To avoid being like the fool, we must be willing to learn from our mistakes, seek wisdom from God and others, and be humble enough to change our ways, as taught in Proverbs 9:9 and James 1:5.
What is the significance of using a dog as an example in this verse?
The use of a dog in this example highlights the idea that the behavior of a fool is not only unwise but also degrading and shameful, much like the act of a dog returning to its vomit, as seen in the teachings of Proverbs 26:11 and Isaiah 66:17.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I may be repeating foolish behavior, and how can I seek God's wisdom to change?
- How can I balance humility and confidence in my decision-making, to avoid being wise in my own eyes, as warned against in Proverbs 26:12?
- What are some common 'vomits' that people return to, and how can I help others break free from these patterns?
- In what ways can I apply the principle of learning from mistakes, rather than repeating them, in my daily life, as encouraged in Proverbs 24:16?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 26:11
As a dog returneth to his vomit,.... Who being sick with what he has eaten, casts it up again, and afterwards returns unto it and licks it up; [so] a fool returneth to his folly, or "repeats" (a) it,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 26:11
As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly. As a dog returneth to his vomit - quoted in 2 Peter 2:22, and so stamped with inspired authority. As a dog swallows again that which he has vomited.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 26:11
As a dog returneth to his vomit, to lick up that which he had lately vomited, forgetting how burdensome and vexatious it was to him, so a fool returneth to his folly; such like is the impudence and madness of sinners, who having smarted for their sins, and been forced to forsake them far a time, do afterwards return to the commission of them.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 26:11
Proverbs 26:11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, [so] a fool returneth to his folly.Ver. 11. As a dog returneth to his vomit.] A homely comparison, able to make a true Christian ready to lay up all, but good enough for the odious apostate to whom it is applied. Such a one was Judas, Julian, Ecebolius, Baldvinus, Islebius, Agricola, that first Antinomian, - who did many times promise amendment, and yet afterwards fell to his error again; - after that he condemned his error, and recanted it in a public auditory, and printed his revocation; yet when Luther was dead, he relapsed into that error, so hard a thing is it to get poison out when once swallowed down. Harding, Bishop Jewel’ s antagonist, was in King Edward’ s days a thundering preacher against Popery, wishing he could cry out against it as loud as the bells of Oseney, so that by his preaching many were confirmed in the truth. All which to be so they can testify that heard him and be yet alive, saith Mr Foxe. See an excellent letter of the Lady Jane Grey’ s to him while she was prisoner in the Tower, "Acts and Monuments," fol. 1291, wherein she wills him to remember the horrible history of Julian of old, and the lamentable case of Spira a late, &c.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 26:11
(11) So a fool returneth to his folly.—Though he knows it to be folly, and ruinous to him: but vice has become to him a second nature, and he cannot, even if he would, escape from it. This is especially true of those who have given way to drink or impurity of life.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 26:11
Verse 11. As a dog returneth to his vomit] 2 Peter 2:22.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 26:11
11. So a fool returneth to] Rather, So is a fool that repeateth, R.V.; iterat, Vulg. The Heb. word is not the same as in the first clause of the verse. Comp. on the proverb 2 Peter 2:22. Proverbs 26:13-16. Another small group of four proverbs, of which the “sluggard” is the subject.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 26:11
11. As a dog returneth — Compare 2 Peter 2:22. Returneth to his folly — Repeats it, or turns back unto it. Compare Matthew 12:45; John 5:14; Hebrews 6:4-8.
Sermons on Proverbs 26:11
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Last Day False Prophets by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the preacher warns against false teachers who exploit people with made-up stories and greed. He references biblical examples of God's judgment on sin, such as the p |
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Personal Testimony by Keith Daniel | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on a personal experience of going against his conscience and the consequences that followed. He describes the moment when his father confronted |
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Ploughing a Rock by C.H. Spurgeon | The sermon transcript discusses the futility of seeking satisfaction and fulfillment in worldly pursuits such as pleasure, wealth, and success. The author presents various examples |
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Some Lessons the Lord Taught Me by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's provision and strength during trials and temptations. It highlights the need to rely on God's faithfulness, the assurance |
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2 Peter 2:22 by John Gill | John Gill expounds on 2 Peter 2:22, illustrating the profound truth of the proverb that likens apostates to dogs returning to their vomit and washed sows returning to mire. He emph |
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We Shall All Stand Before the Judgement Seat of Christ by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of appearing before the Judgment Seat of Christ. He references Romans 14:10, which states that everyone will give an account |
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Die Feinde Des Evangeliums Sollen Abgeschnitten Werden (German) by Richard Wurmbrand | In this sermon, a young man shares his personal testimony of being freed from prison and his desire for forgiveness from his father. He believes that if he sees white bags hanging |