Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Like the useless legs of one who is lame is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. New Living Translation A proverb in the mouth of a fool is as useless as a paralyzed leg. English Standard Version Like a lame man’s legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools. Berean Standard Bible Like lame legs hanging limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. King James Bible The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools. New King James Version Like the legs of the lame that hang limp Is a proverb in the mouth of fools. New American Standard Bible Like useless legs to one who cannot walk, So is a proverb in the mouths of fools. NASB 1995 Like the legs which are useless to the lame, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools. NASB 1977 Like the legs which hang down from the lame, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools. Legacy Standard Bible Like the legs which hang limp on the lame, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools. Amplified Bible Like the legs which are useless to the lame, So is a proverb in the mouth of a fool [who cannot learn from its wisdom]. Christian Standard Bible A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like lame legs that hang limp. Holman Christian Standard Bible A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like lame legs that hang limp. American Standard Version The legs of the lame hang loose; So is a parable in the mouth of fools. Contemporary English Version A fool with words of wisdom is like an athlete with legs that can't move. English Revised Version The legs of the lame hang loose: so is a parable in the mouth of fools. GOD'S WORD® Translation [Like] a lame person's limp legs, so is a proverb in the mouths of fools. Good News Translation A fool can use a proverb about as well as crippled people can use their legs. International Standard Version Useless legs to the lame— that's what a proverb quoted by a fool is. Majority Standard Bible Like lame legs hanging limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. NET Bible Like legs that hang limp from the lame, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools. New Heart English Bible Like the legs of the lame that hang loose: so is a parable in the mouth of fools. Webster's Bible Translation The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools. World English Bible Like the legs of the lame that hang loose, so is a parable in the mouth of fools. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionThe two legs of the lame have been weak, "" And an allegory in the mouth of fools. Young's Literal Translation Weak have been the two legs of the lame, And a parable in the mouth of fools. Smith's Literal Translation The legs of the lame were weak, and a parable in the mouth of the foolish. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAs a lame man hath fair legs in vain: so a parable is unseemly in the mouth of fools. Catholic Public Domain Version In the manner of a lame man who has beautiful legs to no purpose, so also is a parable unfit for the mouth of the foolish. New American Bible A proverb in the mouth of a fool hangs limp, like crippled legs. New Revised Standard Version The legs of a disabled person hang limp; so does a proverb in the mouth of a fool. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAs a lame man who cannot walk, so is a parable in the mouth of a fool. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated If you make a cripple walk, you may take the word of a fool. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917The legs hang limp from the lame; So is a parable in the mouth of fools. Brenton Septuagint Translation As well take away the motion of the legs, as transgression from the mouth of fools. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Similitudes and Instructions…6Like cutting off one’s own feet or drinking violence is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool. 7Like lame legs hanging limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. 8Like binding a stone into a sling is the giving of honor to a fool.… Cross References James 1:5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 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. Ecclesiastes 10:12-14 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him. / 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? 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. / For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” / Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ... Isaiah 35:5-6 Then the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. / Then the lame will leap like a deer and the mute tongue will shout for joy. For waters will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert. 1 Corinthians 2:14 The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. Psalm 58:4-5 Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like a cobra that shuts its ears, / refusing to hear the tune of the charmer who skillfully weaves his spell. 2 Timothy 3:7 who are always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. Isaiah 32:3-4 Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed, and the ears of those who hear will listen. / The mind of the rash will know and understand, and the stammering tongue will speak clearly and fluently. Romans 1:22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, Psalm 38:13-14 But like a deaf man, I do not hear; and like a mute man, I do not open my mouth. / I am like a man who cannot hear, whose mouth offers no reply. 1 Corinthians 3:19-20 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.” / And again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” Isaiah 29:18 On that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll, and out of the deep darkness the eyes of the blind will see. Matthew 13:13-15 This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’ / In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’ Jeremiah 5:21 “Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear. Treasury of Scripture The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools. not equal Proverbs 26:9 As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools. Proverbs 17:7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince. Psalm 50:16-21 But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? … Jump to Previous Equal Fool Foolish Fools Hang Hanging Legs Limp Mouth Parable Power Proverb Useless Walking Weak WiseJump to Next Equal Fool Foolish Fools Hang Hanging Legs Limp Mouth Parable Power Proverb Useless Walking Weak WiseProverbs 26 1. observations about fools13. about sluggards 17. and about contentious busybodies Like lame legs hanging limp This phrase uses a vivid metaphor to describe the ineffectiveness of a proverb when spoken by a fool. In ancient times, physical disabilities such as lameness were often seen as significant impediments, limiting a person's ability to function fully in society. The imagery of "lame legs hanging limp" suggests a lack of strength, support, and purpose. This metaphor highlights the idea that just as lame legs cannot support or carry a person effectively, a proverb in the mouth of a fool lacks the power to convey wisdom or truth. The Bible often uses physical ailments as metaphors for spiritual or moral deficiencies, as seen in passages like Isaiah 35:6, where the healing of the lame is a sign of God's redemptive work. is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. Persons / Places / Events 1. SolomonTraditionally considered the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. He compiled these sayings to impart wisdom and understanding. 2. Fools In the context of Proverbs, a fool is someone who rejects wisdom and instruction, often characterized by a lack of moral and spiritual insight. 3. Lame This term is used metaphorically to describe something that is ineffective or useless, much like the legs of a person who cannot walk. Teaching Points The Incongruity of Wisdom and FoolishnessJust as lame legs are ineffective, so is wisdom when spoken by a fool. True wisdom requires not just knowledge but also the character to apply it rightly. The Importance of Integrity A proverb in the mouth of a fool lacks integrity and power. Our lives should reflect the wisdom we profess, ensuring our actions align with our words. The Role of Humility in Gaining Wisdom Fools often lack the humility to learn and grow. To avoid being like the fool, we must approach wisdom with a teachable spirit and a willingness to change. Practical Application of Wisdom Wisdom is not merely theoretical; it must be lived out. We should strive to embody the principles of wisdom in our daily lives, making our actions a testament to our understanding.(7) The legs of the lame are not equal.--Better, perhaps. The legs hang down from a lame man, and so is a parable (useless) in the mouth of fools; they can make no more use of it for the guidance of themselves or others, than can a lame man use his legs. (Comp. Luke 8:10.)Verse 7. - The legs of a lame man are not equal. The first word of this verse, דַּלְיוּ, has occasioned some difficulty. It is considered as an imperative from דלה, "draw off," "take away." Thus the Septuagint, ἀφελοῦ; Venetian, ἐπάρατε. But the verb seems never to have this meaning; nor, if it had, would the sense be very satisfactory, for. as Delitzsch points out, lame legs are better than none, and there is a great difference between the perfectly crippled or paralytic who has to be carried, and the lame man (פִסֵּחַ) who can limp or get along on crutches., And when we explain the proverb in this sense (as Plumptre), "Take away the legs of the lame man and the parable from the mouth of fools," for both alike ere useless to their possessors, and their loss would not be felt - we must recognize that the conclusion is not true. No one would think of amputating s man's legs simply because he was lame, and such a one's legs cannot be considered absolutely useless. Others regard the word as third plural kal, "the legs hang loose;" though the form is not sufficiently accounted for. All explanations of the word as a verbal form have such difficulties, that some take it as a noun, meaning "dancing," which is Luther's interpretation, "as dancing to a cripple, so it becometh a fool to talk of wisdom." But the word could never sightly anything but "limping," and could not express the elegant motion of dancing. The Authorized Version considers the Hebrew to mean, "are lifted up," i.e. are unequal, one being longer or stronger than the other; but this loses the force of the comparison. There seems to be no better interpretation than that mentioned above," The legs of the lame hang loose," i.e. are unserviceable, however sound in appearance. St. Jerome has expressed this, though in a strange fashion, "As it is vain for a lame man to have seemly legs." So is a parable in the mouth of a fool. "Parable" (mashal), sententious saying, the enunciation of which, as well as the recital of stories, was always a great feature in Eastern companies, and afforded a test of a man's ability. A fool fails in the exhibition; he misses the point of the wise saying which he produces; it falls lame from his mouth, affords no instruction to others, and makes no way with its hearers. Siracides gives another reason for the incongruity, "A parable shall be rejected when it cometh out of a fool's mouth; for he will not speak it in its season" (Ecclus. 20:20). Septuagint, "Take away the motion of legs, and transgression (παρανομίαν,? παροιμίαν, Lag.) from the mouth of fools." Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Like lameמִפִּסֵּ֑חַ (mip·pis·sê·aḥ) Preposition-m | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 6455: Lame legs שֹׁ֭קַיִם (qa·yim) Noun - fd Strong's 7785: The, leg hanging limp דַּלְי֣וּ (dal·yū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 1809: To slacken, be feeble, to be oppressed is a proverb וּ֝מָשָׁ֗ל (ū·mā·šāl) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4912: A pithy maxim, a simile in the mouth בְּפִ֣י (bə·p̄î) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to of a fool. כְסִילִֽים׃ (ḵə·sî·lîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 3684: Stupid fellow, dullard, fool Links Proverbs 26:7 NIVProverbs 26:7 NLT Proverbs 26:7 ESV Proverbs 26:7 NASB Proverbs 26:7 KJV Proverbs 26:7 BibleApps.com Proverbs 26:7 Biblia Paralela Proverbs 26:7 Chinese Bible Proverbs 26:7 French Bible Proverbs 26:7 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Proverbs 26:7 Like the legs of the lame that (Prov. Pro Pr) |
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