Proverbs 26 · Verse 16

Proverbs 26:16

The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
Proverbs 26:16, King James Version

Proverbs 26:16 in other translations

BSBThe slacker is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly.
WEBThe sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer with discretion.
ASVThe sluggard is wiser in his own conceit Than seven men that can render a reason.
YLTWiser is the slothful in his own eyes, Than seven men returning a reason.
DARBYA sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men that answer discreetly.
BBEThe hater of work seems to himself wiser than seven men who are able to give an answer with good sense.
WebsterThe sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.

What does Proverbs 26:16 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
16. The thoughtless being ignorant of their ignorance are conceited.

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 16 Than seven men that can render a reason - Seven here only means perfection, abundance, or multitude. He is wiser in his own eyes than a multitude of the wisest men. "Than seven men that sytt and teach." - Coverdale; i.e., than seven doctors of the law, or heads of the schools of the prophets, who always sat while they taught.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
He that takes pains in religion, knows he is working for a good Master, and that his labour shall not be in vain.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Proverbs 26:16 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.

חָכָ֣םcha.Kham[is] wiseH2450
עָצֵ֣ל'a.Tzela sluggardH6102
בְּעֵינָ֑יוbe.'ei.Navin own eyes hisH5869
מִ֝שִּׁבְעָ֗הmi.shiv.'Ahmore than seven [people]H7651
מְשִׁ֣יבֵיme.Shi.vei[who] bring backH7725
טָֽעַם\׃Ta.'am<of> discernmentH2940

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

Cross references for Proverbs 26:16

  • Proverbs 26:12

    Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

  • 1 Peter 3:15

    But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

  • Proverbs 12:15

    The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
12; 12:15; 1Pe 3:15

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

Context

  • Proverbs 26:15

    The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.

  • Proverbs 26:16

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

  • Proverbs 26:17

    He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

Read all of Proverbs 26

Proverbs 26:16 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		A su ver es el perezoso más sabio que siete que le den consejo.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Le paresseux est plus sage à ses yeux que sept hommes qui répondent avec bon sens.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Der Faule ist weiser in seinen Augen als sieben, die verständig antworten.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Sapientior sibi piger videtur septem viris loquentibus sententias.