Bible Strands
Proverbs 26:1
Like snow in summer and rain at harvest, honor does not befit a fool.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The author of Proverbs addresses a student or reader with a proverbial observation about character and station.
The words — נָאוֶ֖ה (na.Veh) means "[is] suitable," and לִ/כְסִ֣יל (li/kh.Sil) translates as "for/ a fool."
The thread — The pattern of something being unseemly for a fool appears in Proverbs 19:10 regarding luxury. The harvest reference parallels the wheat harvest noted in 1 Samuel 12:17.
Why it lands — The text states that honor does not befit a fool, comparing the mismatch to snow in summer and rain at harvest. It requires the reader to recognize that wisdom and character must align with one's nature and station.
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
King James Version
As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 19:10 Luxury is unseemly for a fool—how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!
- Proverbs 28:16 A leader who lacks judgment is also a great oppressor, but he who hates dishonest profit will prolong his days.
- 1 Samuel 12:17 Is it not the wheat harvest today? I will call on the LORD to send thunder and rain, so that you will know and see what a great evil you have committed in the sight of the LORD by asking for a king.”
- Esther 4:6 So Hathach went out to Mordecai in the city square in front of the king’s gate,
- Psalms 12:8 The wicked wander freely, and vileness is exalted among men.
- Psalms 15:4 who despises the vile but honors those who fear the LORD, who does not revise a costly oath,
- Judges 9:7 When this was reported to Jotham, he climbed to the top of Mount Gerizim, raised his voice, and cried out: “Listen to me, O leaders of Shechem, and may God listen to you.
- Judges 9:20 But if not, may fire come from Abimelech and consume the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo, and may fire come from the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo and consume Abimelech.”
- Judges 9:56 In this way God repaid the wickedness that Abimelech had done to his father in murdering his seventy brothers.
- Esther 3:1 After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him to a position above all the princes who were with him.