Bible Strands
Proverbs 26:9
Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The wisdom teacher addresses a general audience within the Solomonic collection, cataloging the traits and consequences of foolish behavior in chapters 25–29. The verse functions as a parallel warning to the preceding and following examples of misapplied effort.
The words — ח֭וֹחַ (Cho.ach) denotes a sharp thorn, while שִׁכּ֑וֹר (shi.Kor) identifies a person overcome by wine. The text pairs these terms to illustrate a point of useless and painful exertion.
The thread — The fool appears repeatedly in Proverbs 26:8 and 26:10 as the recipient of misdirected honor and random violence. The drunkard’s self-deception in Proverbs 23:35 mirrors the fool’s inability to perceive his own condition.
Why it lands — The text states that delivering wisdom to an unteachable person causes self-harm and yields no benefit. It asks the reader to cease expending instruction on those who will only misuse it.
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 a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 23:35 “They struck me, but I feel no pain! They beat me, but I did not know it! When can I wake up to search for another drink?”