Proverbs 10 · Verse 26

Proverbs 10:26

As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.

Proverbs 10:26, King James Version

Proverbs 10:26 in other translations

BSB	Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the slacker to those who send him.
WEB	As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him.
ASV	As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, So is the sluggard to them that send him.
YLT	As vinegar to the teeth, And as smoke to the eyes, So is the slothful to those sending him.
DARBY	As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.
BBE	Like acid drink to the teeth and as smoke to the eyes, so is the hater of work to those who send him.
Webster	As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.

What does Proverbs 10:26 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

26. that is, causes vexation.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 26 As vinegar to the teeth - The acid softening and dissolving the alkali of the bone, so as to impair their texture, and render them incapable of masticating; and as smoke affects the eyes, irritating their tender vessels, so as to give pain and prevent distinct vision; so the sluggard, the lounging, thriftless messenger, who never returns in time with the desired answer.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

As vinegar sets the teeth on edge, and as the smoke causes the eyes to smart, so the sluggard vexes his employer.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Proverbs 10:26 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

כַּחֹ֤מֶץ\׀ka.Cho.metzlike <the> vinegarH2558

לַשִּׁנַּ֗יִםla.shi.Na.yimto the teethH8127

וְכֶעָשָׁ֥ןve.khe.'a.Shanand like <the> smokeH6227

לָעֵינָ֑יִםla.'ei.Na.yimto the eyesH5869

כֵּ֥ןkensoH3651

הֶ֝עָצֵ֗לhe.'a.Tzelthe sluggardH6102

לְשֹׁלְחָֽיו\׃le.sho.le.Chavto [those who] send himH7971

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Proverbs 10:26

Proverbs 25:13
As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.
Proverbs 26:6
He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.
Matthew 25:26
His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
Romans 12:11
Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
Proverbs 25:20
As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.
Hebrews 6:12
That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Isaiah 65:5
Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

vinegar.
25:13,20
as smoke.As the acidity of vinegar causes the unpleasantness and pain to the teeth, and by softening and dissolving the alkali of the bone, impairs their texture, and renders them incapable of mastication; and as smoke, by irritating the tender vessels, causes the eyes to smart, and prevents distinct vision; so a sluggish messenger is a continual vexation and loss to those by whom he is employed.
Isa 65:5
so.
Mt 25:26; Ro 12:11; Heb 6:12

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

Proverbs 10:25
As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.
Proverbs 10:26
As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.
Proverbs 10:27
The fear of the Lord prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.

Read all of Proverbs 10

Proverbs 10:26 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Como el vinagre á los dientes, y como el humo á los ojos, así es el perezoso á los que lo envían.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Ce que le vinaigre est aux dents, et la fumée aux yeux, tel est le paresseux pour ceux qui l’envoient.
German Elberfelder 1871	Wie der Essig den Zähnen, und wie der Rauch den Augen, so ist der Faule denen, die ihn senden.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Sicut acetum dentibus, et fumus oculis, sic piger his qui miserunt eum.