Proverbs 26:16

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit Than seven men that can render a reason.

Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

חָכָ֣ם עָצֵ֣ל בְּעֵינָ֑יו מִ֝שִּׁבְעָ֗ה מְשִׁ֣יבֵי טָֽעַם׃

Transliteration

Ḥakham atzel in-einav, from-seven meshivei ta'am.

Grammar Details

*ḥakham*: adjective, masculine, singular - wise
*atzel*: adjective, masculine, singular - lazy person
*be*: preposition - in
*einav*: noun, feminine, dual with 3rd person masculine singular suffix - his eyes
*mi*: preposition - from
*shiv'ah*: numeral, feminine - seven
*meshivei*: verb, Hiphil participle, masculine plural construct - those returning/answering of
*ta'am*: noun, masculine, singular - taste/judgment/discretion

Word Meanings

*ḥakham*: wise/clever
*atzel*: lazy person/sluggard
*einav*: his eyes/his opinion
*shiv'ah*: seven
*meshivei*: those who return/those who answer/those who reply
*ta'am*: taste/sense/discretion/judgment

ℹ️

About this Translation

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

Formal EquivalenceSource: American Standard VersionBest for: Word studies and original-language research

🎯 Translation Approach

A highly literal, word-for-word translation (ASV, 1901) augmented with Strong's numbering to connect English words to underlying Hebrew and Greek terms for study.

Word-for-word

5/5

Readability

2/5

💎 Distinctive Features

Integrated Strong's numbering: Links English terms to underlying Hebrew and Greek words for deeper lexical study.
Formal equivalence: Prioritizes close alignment with source-language forms and structures.
Divine name rendering: Frequently renders the Tetragrammaton as Jehovah in the Old Testament, following ASV tradition.
Study-focused formatting: Optimized for reference and research rather than casual reading.

✅ Strengths

High fidelity to original languages
Includes Strong's numbers for precise word study
Consistent lexical choices aid exegesis
Stable, longstanding scholarly text

⚠️ Considerations

Archaic language reduces readability
Older textual basis compared to some modern translations
Strong's numbers are a concordance index, not full lexical definitions

👥 Who is this for?

Ideal for

Pastors and teachers
Seminary students
Serious Bible students
Readers conducting word studies
Those referencing Hebrew/Greek tools

Consider alternatives for

Casual readers
Children and early teens
ESL learners seeking simple English
Readers preferring contemporary language

🔄 Compare with

ESVNIVCSBNLTNASBNET

Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

Prov 26:12 : 12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.
1 Pet 3:15 : 15 but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord: {G1161} [being] ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear:
Prov 12:15 : 15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes; But he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel.

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

Prov 26:12-15
4 verses
78%
12Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.
13The sluggard saith, There is a lion in the way; A lion is in the streets.
14[ As] the door turneth upon its hinges, So doth the sluggard upon his bed.
15The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; It wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth.
Prov 19:24
75%
24The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish, And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
Prov 22:13
72%
13The sluggard saith, There is a lion without: I shall be slain in the streets.
Prov 15:19
72%
19The way of the sluggard is as a hedge of thorns; But the path of the upright is made a highway.
Prov 26:4-5
2 verses
72%
4Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also be like unto him.
5Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own conceit.
Prov 6:6
72%
6Go to the ant, thou sluggard; Consider her ways, and be wise:
Prov 10:26
71%
26As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, So is the sluggard to them that send him.
Prov 12:27
71%
27The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting; But the precious substance of men [is to] the diligent.
Prov 13:16
71%
16Every prudent man worketh with knowledge; But a fool flaunteth [his] folly.
Prov 28:11
71%
11The rich man is wise in his own conceit; But the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
Prov 19:15
71%
15Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; And the idle soul shall suffer hunger.
Prov 12:15-16
2 verses
71%
15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes; But he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel.
16A fool's vexation is presently known; But a prudent man concealeth shame.
Prov 6:9-10
2 verses
71%
9How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
10[ Yet] a little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep:
Prov 20:4
70%
4The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter; Therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.
Prov 18:9
70%
9He also that is slack in his work Is brother to him that is a destroyer.
Prov 21:25
70%
25The desire of the sluggard killeth him; For his hands refuse to labor.
Prov 14:6-8
3 verses
69%
6A scoffer seeketh wisdom, and [findeth it] not; But knowledge is easy unto him that hath understanding.
7Go into the presence of a foolish man, And thou shalt not perceive [in him] the lips of knowledge.
8The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way; But the folly of fools is deceit.
Eccl 7:19
69%
19Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers that are in a city.
Prov 13:4
69%
4The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
Prov 12:23-24
2 verses
69%
23A prudent man concealeth knowledge; But the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
24The hand of the diligent shall bear rule; But the slothful shall be put under taskwork.
Prov 26:17
69%
17He that passeth by, [and] vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, Is [like] one that taketh a dog by the ears.
Prov 24:30
69%
30I went by the field of the sluggard, And by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
Prov 14:15-17
3 verses
69%
15The simple believeth every word; But the prudent man looketh well to his going.
16A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil; But the fool beareth himself insolently, and is confident.
17He that is soon angry will deal foolishly; And a man of wicked devices is hated.
Prov 27:12
69%
12A prudent man seeth the evil, [and] hideth himself; [But] the simple pass on, [and] suffer for it.
Prov 26:7
69%
7The legs of the lame hang loose: So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
Prov 17:16
68%
16Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, Seeing he hath no understanding?
Eccl 7:5
68%
5It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
Eccl 9:16-17
2 verses
68%
16Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
17The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.
Prov 24:7
68%
7Wisdom is too high for a fool: He openeth not his mouth in the gate.
Prov 14:29
68%
29He that is slow to anger is of great understanding; But he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
Prov 17:28
68%
28Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; When he shutteth his lips, he is [esteemed as] prudent.
Prov 29:11
68%
11A fool uttereth all his anger; But a wise man keepeth it back and stilleth it.
Prov 26:9
68%
9[ As] a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
Eccl 10:15
67%
15The labor of fools wearieth every one of them; for he knoweth not how to go to the city.
Prov 29:20
67%
20Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? There is more hope of a fool than of him.
Prov 17:10
67%
10A rebuke entereth deeper into one that hath understanding Than a hundred stripes into a fool.
Prov 14:33
67%
33Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding; But [that which is] in the inward part of fools is made known.
Eccl 10:3
67%
3Yea also, when the fool walketh by the way, his understanding faileth him, and he saith to every one [that] he is a fool.