Proverbs 26

Proverbs 26:1-28

Proverbs 22:26-27 — Third Saying (Tetrastitch) – Proverbs 22:26 forms a single proverbial thought using four lines. This is called a tetrastitch. Proverbs 22:26 Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts. Proverbs 22:27 If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee? Proverbs 22:28 — Fourth Saying (Distitch) – Comments - Proverbs 22:28 forms a single proverbial thought using two lines, which is called a distitch. Proverbs 22:28 Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set. Proverbs 22:28 — Comments - The Mosaic Law made provisions for preserving the ancient boundary marks set by the founding fathers of the nation of Israel (Deuteronomy 19:14; Deuteronomy 27:17). These boundary marks were originally set during the time of Joshua during the allotment of the land to the twelve tribes of Israel immediately after the conquest of the Promised Land (Joshua 13:1 to Joshua 21:45). During the course of the nation’s history, land was lost because of poverty, or the need to sell one’s land; it was lost by marauding groups from neighbouring countries; it was taken by corruption (Job 24:2). For example, King Ahab killed Naboth and took possession of his land (1 Kings 21:1-16). Today in many countries, the office of land registry is corrupted, so that government officials change land titles through bribes, or land owners simply encroach out of their boundaries and steal portions of neighbouring land. Deuteronomy 19:14, “Thou shalt not remove thy neighbour’s landmark, which they of old time have set in thine inheritance, which thou shalt inherit in the land that the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it.” Deuteronomy 27:17, “Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour’s landmark. And all the people shall say, Amen.” Job 24:2, “Some remove the landmarks; they violently take away flocks, and feed thereof.” Scripture Reference - Note a similar proverb: Proverbs 23:10, “Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless:”

Proverbs 26:13-16

Wisdom in Dealing with the Sluggard – Proverbs 26:13-16 teaches us about the sluggard. Proverbs 26:13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets. Proverbs 26:14 As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed. Proverbs 26:15 The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth. Proverbs 26:16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason. Proverbs 26:16 — Comments - You cannot reason with a slothful person, because he is wise in his own eyes. The number seven used in Proverbs 26:16 implies divine wisdom.

Proverbs 26:17-28

Wisdom in Dealing with the Liar – Proverbs 26:17-28 teaches us how to deal with busy-bodies and gossips in our relationships with others. Proverbs 26:17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears. Proverbs 26:17 — Word Study on “strife” – Gesenius says the Hebrew word “strife” (ψִ ?ια) (H7379) means, “to contend, to strive,” and “to contend forenically, to plead a cause.” Strong says it means, “a contest,” and comes from the primitive root verb (ψִ ?ια) (H7378), which means, “to toss, grapple, wrangle, i.e., to hold a controversy.” Proverbs 26:19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport? Proverbs 26:20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. Proverbs 26:21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. Proverbs 26:20-21 — Scripture References - Note a similar verse: James 3:5-6, “Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.” Proverbs 26:27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him. Proverbs 26:27 — Comments - Digging a pit means devising ways that make the righteous go astray. Note a similar verse that gives insight into the meaning of Pro 26:27 : Proverbs 28:10, “Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.” Proverbs 26:28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.