Proverbs 26:8
New International Version
Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honor to a fool.

New Living Translation
Honoring a fool is as foolish as tying a stone to a slingshot.

English Standard Version
Like one who binds the stone in the sling is one who gives honor to a fool.

Berean Standard Bible
Like binding a stone into a sling is the giving of honor to a fool.

King James Bible
As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.

New King James Version
Like one who binds a stone in a sling Is he who gives honor to a fool.

New American Standard Bible
Like one who binds a stone in a sling, So is one who gives honor to a fool.

NASB 1995
Like one who binds a stone in a sling, So is he who gives honor to a fool.

NASB 1977
Like one who binds a stone in a sling, So is he who gives honor to a fool.

Legacy Standard Bible
Like one who binds a stone in a sling, So is he who gives glory to a fool.

Amplified Bible
Like one who [absurdly] binds a stone in a sling [making it impossible to throw], So is he who [absurdly] gives honor to a fool.

Christian Standard Bible
Giving honor to a fool is like binding a stone in a sling.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Giving honor to a fool is like binding a stone in a sling.

American Standard Version
As one that bindeth a stone in a sling, So is he that giveth honor to a fool.

Contemporary English Version
Are you going to honor a fool? Why not shoot a slingshot with the rock tied tight?

English Revised Version
As a bag of gems in a heap of stones, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Like tying a stone to a sling, so is giving honor to a fool.

Good News Translation
Praising someone who is stupid makes as much sense as tying a stone in a sling.

International Standard Version
Tying a stone to a sling— that's what giving honor to a fool is.

Majority Standard Bible
Like binding a stone into a sling is the giving of honor to a fool.

NET Bible
Like tying a stone in a sling, so is giving honor to a fool.

New Heart English Bible
As one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool.

Webster's Bible Translation
As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honor to a fool.

World English Bible
As one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
As one who is binding a stone in a sling, "" So [is] he who is giving honor to a fool.

Young's Literal Translation
As one who is binding a stone in a sling, So is he who is giving honour to a fool.

Smith's Literal Translation
As a bundle of stones in a heap of stones, so he giving honor to the foolish one.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
As he that casteth a stone into the heap of Mercury: so is he that giveth honour to a fool.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Just like one who casts a stone into the pile of Mercury, so also is he who gives honor to the foolish.

New American Bible
Giving honor to a fool is like entangling a stone in the sling.

New Revised Standard Version
It is like binding a stone in a sling to give honor to a fool.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Like a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Like a stone in a sling, so is he that praises a fool.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
As a small stone in a heap of stones, So is he that giveth honour to a fool.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
He that binds up a stone in a sling, is like one that gives glory to a fool.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Similitudes and Instructions
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. 9Like a thorn that falls into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.…

Cross References
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 10:6-7
Folly is appointed to great heights, but the rich sit in lowly positions. / I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.

Psalm 15:4
who despises the vile but honors those who fear the LORD, who does not revise a costly oath,

1 Samuel 25:3
His name was Nabal, and his wife’s name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband, a Calebite, was harsh and evil in his dealings.

2 Peter 2:22
Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.”

Luke 12:48
But the one who unknowingly does things worthy of punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from him who has been entrusted with much, even more will be demanded.

1 Corinthians 1:27-29
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. / He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, / so that no one may boast in His presence.

Isaiah 32:5
No longer will a fool be called noble, nor a scoundrel be respected.

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.

1 Timothy 1:9
We realize that law is not enacted for the righteous, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for killers of father or mother, for murderers,

Psalm 49:20
A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish.

2 Timothy 3:7
who are always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.

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

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.”

Job 34:30
that godless men should not rule or lay snares for the people.


Treasury of Scripture

As he that binds a stone in a sling, so is he that gives honor to a fool.

Proverbs 26:1
As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.

Proverbs 19:10
Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

Proverbs 30:22
For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat;

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Proverbs 26
1. observations about fools
13. about sluggards
17. and about contentious busybodies














Like binding a stone in a sling
This phrase evokes a vivid image of a stone being tied or bound in a sling, rendering the weapon ineffective. In ancient times, a sling was a simple yet powerful weapon used for hunting and warfare. The Hebrew word for "sling" (קֶלַע, qela) suggests a tool designed for launching stones with precision and force. Binding a stone in a sling would defeat its purpose, as the stone would not be able to be released to hit its target. This imagery highlights the futility and absurdity of the action, setting the stage for the comparison that follows. The historical context of the sling, notably used by David against Goliath, underscores the importance of using tools and gifts wisely and appropriately.

is the giving of honor
The act of "giving honor" in this context refers to bestowing respect, recognition, or authority upon someone. The Hebrew word for "honor" (כָּבוֹד, kavod) carries connotations of weightiness and significance. In biblical times, honor was a highly valued attribute, often associated with wisdom, integrity, and leadership. The act of giving honor was meant to acknowledge these qualities in a person. However, when honor is misplaced, it can lead to disorder and confusion, much like a stone bound in a sling. This phrase challenges the reader to consider the importance of discernment in recognizing true merit and worthiness.

to a fool
The term "fool" (כְּסִיל, kesil) in Hebrew is used throughout Proverbs to describe someone who is morally deficient, lacking in wisdom, and resistant to instruction. A fool, in the biblical sense, is not merely someone who is ignorant, but someone who actively rejects wisdom and understanding. The historical and scriptural context of the fool in Proverbs is one of contrast with the wise, who fear the Lord and seek knowledge. By giving honor to a fool, one undermines the very principles of wisdom and righteousness that are foundational to a godly life. This phrase serves as a caution against elevating those who do not embody the values and virtues that honor is meant to recognize.

(8) As he that bindeth a stone in a sling . . .--i.e., the stone is soon gone from the sling and seen no more, so honour and a fool soon part company. This seems on the whole the most probable rendering of this verse.

Verse 8. - As he that bindeth a stone in a sling. So Septuagint, Ὅς ἀποδεσμέυει λίθον ἐν σφενδόνῃ. This gives a very good sense the point being either that the stone, after being firmly fitted in its place, quickly passes away from the sling, or, if more stress is laid on the word "bindeth," that the stone is so firmly fixed that it cannot be slung, and therefore never reaches the mark. The alternative rendering adopted by the Revised Version is this, "As a bag of gems in a heap of stones;" where the incongruity would consist either in exposing jewels on a cairn, or sepulchral monument, whence they could easily be filched, or in attracting undesirable attention. But there are grammatical and etymological reasons against this interpretation; and the Authorized Version is to be considered correct. The Vulgate is curious: Sieur qui mittit lapidem in acervum Mercurii. This rendering points to the custom, with which Jerome must have been familiar, of erecting statues of Mercury on the highways, which were thus placed under his protection. Round these statues were ranged heaps of stones, to which every wayfarer contributed by throwing a pebble as he passed. The absence of the critical faculty which discerned no absurdity in this anachronism is sufficiently remarkable. The Latin saying seems intended to denote useless labour, as we speak of "carrying coals to Newcastle." So is he that giveth honour to a fool. You pay respect to a fool, or place him in an honourable position, but your labour is wasted; he cannot act up to his dignity, he cannot maintain the honour; it passes away like the stone from the sling, or, if it remains, it is useless to him.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Like binding
כִּצְר֣וֹר (kiṣ·rō·wr)
Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6887: To bind, tie up, be restricted, narrow, scant, or cramped

a stone
אֶ֭בֶן (’e·ḇen)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 68: A stone

into a sling
בְּמַרְגֵּמָ֑ה (bə·mar·gê·māh)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4773: A stone-heap

is
כֵּן־ (kên-)
Adverb
Strong's 3651: So -- thus

the giving
נוֹתֵ֖ן (nō·w·ṯên)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

of honor
כָּבֽוֹד׃ (kā·ḇō·wḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3519: Weight, splendor, copiousness

to a fool.
לִכְסִ֣יל (liḵ·sîl)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3684: Stupid fellow, dullard, fool


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 26:8 As one who binds a stone (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 26:7
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