Proverbs 26:10
New International Version
Like an archer who wounds at random is one who hires a fool or any passer-by.

New Living Translation
An employer who hires a fool or a bystander is like an archer who shoots at random.

English Standard Version
Like an archer who wounds everyone is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.

Berean Standard Bible
Like an archer who wounds at random is he who hires a fool or passerby.

King James Bible
The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.

New King James Version
The great God who formed everything Gives the fool his hire and the transgressor his wages.

New American Standard Bible
Like an archer who wounds everyone, So is one who hires a fool or hires those who pass by.

NASB 1995
Like an archer who wounds everyone, So is he who hires a fool or who hires those who pass by.

NASB 1977
Like an archer who wounds everyone, So is he who hires a fool or who hires those who pass by.

Legacy Standard Bible
Like an archer who wounds everyone, So is he who hires a fool or who hires those who pass by.

Amplified Bible
Like a [careless] archer who [shoots arrows wildly and] wounds everyone, So is he who hires a fool or those who [by chance just] pass by.

Christian Standard Bible
The one who hires a fool or who hires those passing by is like an archer who wounds everyone indiscriminately.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The one who hires a fool or who hires those passing by is like an archer who wounds everyone.

American Standard Version
As an archer that woundeth all, So is he that hireth a fool and he that hireth them that pass by.

Contemporary English Version
It's no smarter to shoot arrows at every passerby than it is to hire a bunch of worthless nobodies.

English Revised Version
As an archer that woundeth all, so is he that hireth the fool and he that hireth them that pass by.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
[Like] many people who destroy everything, so is one who hires fools or drifters.

Good News Translation
An employer who hires any fool that comes along is only hurting everybody concerned.

International Standard Version
An archer who shoots at anyone— is like someone who hires a fool or anyone who passes by.

Majority Standard Bible
Like an archer who wounds at random is he who hires a fool or passerby.

NET Bible
Like an archer who wounds at random, so is the one who hires a fool or hires any passer-by.

New Heart English Bible
As an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or he who hires those who pass by.

Webster's Bible Translation
The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.

World English Bible
As an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or he who hires those who pass by.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The Former of all [is] great, "" And He is rewarding a fool, "" And is rewarding transgressors.

Young's Literal Translation
Great is the Former of all, And He is rewarding a fool, And is rewarding transgressors.

Smith's Literal Translation
The great one piercing all, and he hired the foolish one, and those passing by.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Judgment determineth causes: and he that putteth a fool to silence, appeaseth anger.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Judgment determines cases. And whoever imposes silence on the foolish mitigates anger.

New American Bible
An archer wounding all who pass by is anyone who hires a drunken fool.

New Revised Standard Version
Like an archer who wounds everybody is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The body of a fool is greatly afflicted, and a drunkard thinks that he can cross a sea.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The flesh of the fool suffers much and a drunkard crosses the sea.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
A master performeth all things; But he that stoppeth a fool is as one that stoppeth a flood.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
All the flesh of fools endures much hardship; for their fury is brought to nought.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Similitudes and Instructions
9Like a thorn that falls 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.…

Cross References
Psalm 7:15-16
He has dug a hole and hollowed it out; he has fallen into a pit of his own making. / His trouble recoils on himself, and his violence falls on his own head.

Ecclesiastes 10:13-15
The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness. / Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming, and who can tell him what will come after him? / The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city.

Matthew 7:6
Do not give dogs what is holy; do not throw your pearls before swine. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.

Proverbs 1:32
For the waywardness of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them.

Proverbs 19:29
Judgments are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.

Isaiah 44:25
who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who confounds the wise and turns their knowledge into nonsense,

1 Corinthians 3:19
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.”

Proverbs 10:23
The fool delights in shameful conduct, but a man of understanding has wisdom.

Proverbs 17:12
It is better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly.

2 Peter 2:12
These men are like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be captured and destroyed. They blaspheme in matters they do not understand, and like such creatures, they too will be destroyed.

Proverbs 12:11
The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment.

Proverbs 14:7
Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech.

Romans 1:22
Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools,

Proverbs 15:21
Folly is joy to one who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding walks a straight path.

Proverbs 18:6-7
A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating. / A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.


Treasury of Scripture

The great God that formed all things both rewards the fool, and rewards transgressors.

both

Proverbs 11:31
Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.

Romans 2:6
Who will render to every man according to his deeds:

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Archer Drunkard Flood Fool Foolish Formed Former Great Hires Master Overcome Passer-By Passers-By Passing Performeth Rewardeth Roughly Stoppeth Transgressors Worketh Wounding Wounds
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Archer Drunkard Flood Fool Foolish Formed Former Great Hires Master Overcome Passer-By Passers-By Passing Performeth Rewardeth Roughly Stoppeth Transgressors Worketh Wounding Wounds
Proverbs 26
1. observations about fools
13. about sluggards
17. and about contentious busybodies














Like an archer who wounds at random
This phrase paints a vivid picture of recklessness and lack of precision. The Hebrew word for "archer" here can also be translated as "master" or "great man," suggesting someone with authority or skill. However, the emphasis is on the randomness of the action, indicating a lack of wisdom or discernment. In ancient times, an archer was expected to be precise and deliberate, as their skill could mean the difference between life and death. The imagery of wounding "at random" suggests chaos and unintended consequences, highlighting the importance of intentionality and wisdom in one's actions.

is he who hires a fool
The term "fool" in Hebrew is "kesil," which refers to someone who is morally deficient, lacking in wisdom, and often resistant to instruction. In the context of Proverbs, a fool is not merely someone who lacks intelligence, but someone who rejects wisdom and godly counsel. Hiring a fool is likened to the reckless archer because it leads to unpredictable and often destructive outcomes. The historical context of this proverb underscores the value placed on wisdom and discernment in leadership and decision-making. In a conservative Christian perspective, this serves as a warning against entrusting responsibilities to those who do not align with godly principles.

or passerby
The "passerby" represents someone who is transient, without commitment or vested interest in the task at hand. In the ancient Near Eastern context, community and relationship were vital, and entrusting important tasks to someone without a stake in the outcome was seen as foolish. This phrase emphasizes the importance of choosing individuals who are not only competent but also invested and reliable. From a scriptural standpoint, it underscores the value of community and accountability, reminding believers to seek out those who are committed to the same values and goals.

(10) The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.--If this rendering of the passage could stand, Matthew 6:2 might be quoted in illustration of it. If fools and transgressors will set their mind upon "husks" (Luke 15:16) instead of the food God has provided for His children, He does not deny it to them; they have the reward they seek for. But the Hebrew can hardly yield this meaning. Of all the various renderings suggested, perhaps the most unobjectionable is as follows. A master (one skilled in his art), produces everything (by his own care and oversight he sees himself that it is properly done); but a fool hires (others to do his work), and he hires passers by., i.e., any casual person that comes in his way, whether skilled or not, and so the work is done badly.

Verse 10. - Few passages have given greater difficulty than this verse; almost every word has been differently explained. The Authorized Version is, The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and re-wardeth transgressors; Revised Version, As an archer (Job 16:13) that woundeth all, so is he that hireth the fool and he that hireth thorn that pass by. At first sight one would hardly suppose that these could be versions of the same passage. To show the diversity that obtained in early times we quote the Greek and Latin versions. Septuagint, "All the flesh of fools is much distressed (πολλὰ χειμάζεται), for their distraction (ἔκστασις) is brought to nought;" Vulgate, "Judgment decides causes, and he who imposes silence on a fool appeases wrath." From the various interpretations of which this proverb is capable, it may be surmised that it was originally one of those hard sayings which were intended to exercise the ingenuity of auditors. It has certainly had that effect in modern times. We may at once eliminate the rendering of the Authorized Version, though the sense is good and scriptural, denoting that the great Creator recompenses the good and punishes sinners. So the medieval jingle -

"Ante Dei vultum nihil unquam restat inultum." God is not in the Hebrew, and rab, "great," is never used absolutely as equivalent to "God." Nor is the word used elsewhere to mean "head workman;" so the Revised Version margin, "a master worker formeth all things," is suspicious. Some translate, "A great man woundeth [equivalent to 'punisheth'] all; he renders their due to fools and to transgressors." One does not see why this should be attributed to the great man; it certainly is not generally true. Rosenmuller, "The mighty man causes terror; so does he who hires the fool and the transgressor;" but it is not clear why the hiring of a fool should occasion terror. The rendering in the Revised Version, or something very similar, has found favour with many modern commentators, though quite unknown to the mere ancient versions. According to this interpretation, the proverb says that a careless, random way of doing business, taking into one's service fools, or entrusting matters of importance to any chance loiterer, is as dangerous as shooting arrows about recklessly without caring whither they flew or whom they wounded. To this view Nowack objects that it is unparalleled to present an archer as a picture of what is unusual and profitless; that it does not explain why "hireth" is twice repeated; that the connection between shooter and the hire of fool and loiterer is net obvious; and that עברים does not mean "vagabonds" or "passers by." None of these objections are of much importance; and this interpretation still holds its ground. There is also much to be said for the rendering of the Revised Version margin, which is virtually that of Gesenius, Fleischer, Wordsworth, Nutt, and others: A skilful man, a master workman, produces, makes, everything by his own care and superintendence; but he that hires a fool to do his work hires, as it were, any casual vagabond who may know nothing of the business. One objection to this interpretation is that the verb חולל, does not elsewhere have the meaning here attributed to it. Considering all the above interpretations unsatisfactory, Hitzig, after Umbreit, followed herein by Delitzsch and Nowack, translates, "Much bringeth forth all," which means that he who possesses much can do anything, or, as St. Matthew 13:12, "Whosoever hath, to him shall be given" (comp. Proverbs 1:5). But the second hemistich comes in rather lamely, "But he who hires a fool is as one who hires a vagabond." Hence Delitzsch reads וּשְׂכַד for the first וְשכֵר, and renders, "But the hire and the hirer of the fool pass away," i.e. what the fool gets as wages is soon squandered, and the person who took him into his service is ruined by his incapacity. In this case the connection of the two clauses would be this: A rich man, in the nature of things, grows richer; but there are exceptions to this rule; for he who employs stupid and incapable people to do his business suffers for it in property, reputation, and probably in person also; and the incompetent person derives no benefit from the connection. It is impossible to give a decided preference to any of these expositions; and the passage must be left as a crux. It is most probable that the Hebrew text is defective. This would account for the great variations in the versions.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Like an archer
רַ֥ב (raḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7227: Much, many, great

who wounds
מְחֽוֹלֵֽל־ (mə·ḥō·w·lêl-)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 2342: To twist, whirl, to dance, to writhe in pain, fear, to wait, to pervert

at random
כֹּ֑ל (kōl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

is he who hires
וְשֹׂכֵ֥ר (wə·śō·ḵêr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7936: To hire

a fool
כְּ֝סִ֗יל (kə·sîl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3684: Stupid fellow, dullard, fool

or
וְשֹׂכֵ֥ר (wə·śō·ḵêr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7936: To hire

passer-by.
עֹבְרִֽים׃ (‘ō·ḇə·rîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 26:10 As an archer who wounds all so (Prov. Pro Pr)
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