Proverbs 26:9

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

[ As] a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools.

Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

ח֭וֹחַ עָלָ֣ה בְיַד־שִׁכּ֑וֹר וּ֝מָשָׁ֗ל בְּפִ֣י כְסִילִֽים׃

Transliteration

Ḥoaḥ alah in-hand-of-shikkor, and-mashal in-mouth-of kesilim.

Grammar Details

*ḥoaḥ*: noun, masculine, singular - thorn
*alah*: verb, Qal perfect, 3rd person masculine singular - goes up
*be*: preposition - in
*yad*: noun, feminine, singular construct - hand of
*shikkor*: adjective, masculine, singular - drunkard
*umashal*: conjunction with noun, masculine, singular - and a proverb
*pi*: noun, masculine, singular construct - mouth of
*kesilim*: noun, masculine, plural - fools

Word Meanings

*ḥoaḥ*: thorn/bramble/thistle
*alah*: goes up/rises/climbs
*yad*: hand/power
*shikkor*: drunkard/drunk person
*mashal*: proverb/parable/saying
*pi*: mouth/speech
*kesilim*: fools/stupid persons

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

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Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

Prov 23:35 : 35 They have stricken me, [shalt thou say], and I was not hurt; They have beaten me, and I felt it not: When shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.

Similar Verses (AI)

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

Prov 26:3-8
6 verses
80%
3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, And a rod for the back of fools.
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.
6He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool Cutteth off [his own] feet, [and] drinketh in damage.
7The legs of the lame hang loose: So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8As one that bindeth a stone in a sling, So is he that giveth honor to a fool.
Prov 26:10-12
3 verses
77%
10[As] an archer that woundeth all, So is he that hireth a fool and he that hireth them that pass by.
11As a dog that returneth to his vomit, [So is] a fool that repeateth his folly.
12Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.
Prov 23:9
75%
9Speak not in the hearing of a fool; For he will despise the wisdom of thy words.
Prov 18:6-7
2 verses
74%
6A fool's lips enter into contention, And his mouth calleth for stripes.
7A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul.
Eccl 7:6
74%
6For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.
Prov 20:1
74%
1Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler; And whosoever erreth thereby is not wise.
Prov 12:23
74%
23A prudent man concealeth knowledge; But the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
Prov 14:3
74%
3In the mouth of the foolish is a rod for [his] pride; But the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
Prov 17:16
74%
16Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, Seeing he hath no understanding?
Nah 1:10
73%
10For entangled like thorns, and drunken as with their drink, they are consumed utterly as dry stubble.
Prov 14:24
73%
24The crown of the wise is their riches; [But] the folly of fools is [only] folly.
Prov 26:18
73%
18As a madman who casteth firebrands, Arrows, and death,
Prov 13:16
73%
16Every prudent man worketh with knowledge; But a fool flaunteth [his] folly.
Eccl 10:12-13
2 verses
73%
12The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
Prov 15:2
73%
2The tongue of the wise uttereth knowledge aright; But the mouth of fools poureth out folly.
Prov 26:1
73%
1As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honor is not seemly for a fool.
Prov 27:3
73%
3A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; But a fool's vexation is heavier than they both.
Prov 14:7-8
2 verses
72%
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 10:3
72%
3Yea also, when the fool walketh by the way, his understanding faileth him, and he saith to every one [that] he is a fool.
Prov 27:22
72%
22Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with bruised grain, Yet will not his foolishness depart from him.
Prov 17:24-25
2 verses
72%
24Wisdom is before the face of him that hath understanding; But the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
25A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her that bare him.
Prov 15:14
72%
14The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge; But the mouth of fools feedeth on folly.
Prov 29:11
72%
11A fool uttereth all his anger; But a wise man keepeth it back and stilleth it.
Eccl 10:15
72%
15The labor of fools wearieth every one of them; for he knoweth not how to go to the city.
Prov 19:1
72%
1Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity Than he that is perverse in his lips and is a fool.
Prov 19:29
72%
29Judgments are prepared for scoffers, And stripes for the back of fools.
Prov 10:23
72%
23It is as sport to a fool to do wickedness; And [so is] wisdom to a man of understanding.
Prov 14:33
72%
33Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding; But [that which is] in the inward part of fools is made known.
Prov 24:7
71%
7Wisdom is too high for a fool: He openeth not his mouth in the gate.
Prov 10:8
71%
8The wise in heart will receive commandments; But a prating fool shall fall.
Prov 10:10
71%
10He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow; But a prating fool shall fall.
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 15:19
71%
19The way of the sluggard is as a hedge of thorns; But the path of the upright is made a highway.
Prov 10:14
71%
14Wise men lay up knowledge; But the mouth of the foolish is a present destruction.
Prov 15:5
71%
5A fool despiseth his father's correction; But he that regardeth reproof getteth prudence.
Prov 22:5
71%
5Thorns [and] snares are in the way of the perverse: He that keepeth his soul shall be far from them.
Prov 12:15
71%
15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes; But he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel.
Prov 16:22
71%
22Understanding is a well-spring of life unto him that hath it; But the correction of fools is [their] folly.
Prov 19:3
71%
3The foolishness of man subverteth his way; And his heart fretteth against Jehovah.