Proverbs 10:26

Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the slacker to those who send him.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — A wisdom instructor addresses a student audience within a collection of paired sayings contrasting righteous and foolish conduct. The verse is positioned between a statement about the wicked perishing and a warning about the fear of the Lord prolonging life.

The words — כַּ/חֹ֤מֶץ (ka./Cho.metz) means like vinegar, and לַ/שִּׁנַּ֗יִם (la./shi.Na.yim) means to the teeth, describing a sharp, irritating physical reaction. וְ/כֶ/עָשָׁ֥ן (ve./khe./'a.Shan) means and like smoke, paired with לָ/עֵינָ֑יִם (la./'ei.Na.yim) to the eyes, emphasizing an unavoidable, distressing nuisance.

The thread — The contrast between a reliable and unreliable messenger appears in Proverbs 25:13 and Proverbs 26:6, where a fool’s delivery causes harm. The vinegar-and-wound imagery also parallels Proverbs 25:20 regarding inappropriate comfort for a heavy heart.

Why it lands — The text states that employing an unproductive worker actively harms the employer’s goals and peace. It requires the reader to value reliability and reject the frustration caused by deliberate inactivity.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

כַּחֹ֤מֶץ׀ka./Cho.metzlike <the>/ vinegar לַשִּׁנַּ֗יִםla./shi.Na.yimto the/ teeth וְכֶעָשָׁ֥ןve./khe./'a.Shanand/ like <the>/ smoke לָעֵינָ֑יִםla./'ei.Na.yimto the/ eyes כֵּ֥ןkenso הֶ֝עָצֵ֗לhe./'a.Tzelthe/ sluggard לְשֹׁלְחָֽיו׃le./sho.le.Cha/vto/ [those who] send/ him

King James Version

As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.

Cross-references

Proverbs 25:13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.
Proverbs 26:6 Like cutting off one’s own feet or drinking violence is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool.
Proverbs 25:20 Like one who removes a garment on a cold day or vinegar poured on a wound is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
Matthew 25:26 ‘You wicked, lazy servant!’ replied his master. ‘You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed.
Isaiah 65:5 They say, ‘Keep to yourself; do not come near me, for I am holier than you!’ Such people are smoke in My nostrils, a fire that burns all day long.
Romans 12:11 Do not let your zeal subside; keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Hebrews 6:12 Then you will not be sluggish, but will imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.