Proverbs 26:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.

NIV: Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, honor is not fitting for a fool.

NASB: Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool.

CSB: Like snow in summer and rain at harvest, honor is inappropriate for a fool.

NLT: Honor is no more associated with fools than snow with summer or rain with harvest.

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

NKJV: As snow in summer and rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool.

In some regions, weather is notoriously difficult to predict. In others, seasons are more reliable and so are climate patterns. Israel's weather was regular enough that a drastically unexpected event was a credible miracle (1 Samuel 12:17). The season of wheat harvest is notably dry, so rain would be a bizarre occurrence. The same would be true of snow on a sweltering summer day. Both examples represent a mismatch: two things which clearly do not belong together. In the same way, giving respect or "honor" to someone who foolishly ignores God (Proverbs 1:7; 3:35) is absurd. Snow in summer, or rain during a dry season, can also cause damage. So, too, can a fool put into a position of authority.

A fool lacks the wisdom a leader needs to govern others. He makes bad decisions (Proverbs 10:21). He condones and even promotes immorality (Proverbs 13:19; 28:15–16), and he disdains righteousness and the worship of God (Proverbs 28:14). He appoints others like himself to positions of authority (Proverbs 29:12).

A mark of foolishness seen especially in kings and rulers is false security (Proverbs 24:21–22; 30:7–9). Such a person thinks his future is secure, when his times are in God's hands; divine judgment might strike him down at any moment (Proverbs 6:12–15). In the time of the prophet Daniel, Belshazzar, King of Babylon, was a fool. He was proud, profane, and promiscuous. Following a pompous feast Belshazzar hosted, God allowed the Medes and the Persians to kill him and seize his kingdom (Daniel 5).

Proverbs 26:1–12 is mostly a series of blunt, negative remarks about a "fool;" the word appears in all but one verse. In the book of Proverbs, a "fool" is one who rejects godly wisdom (Proverbs 1:7). The segment also includes a famous pair of statements which seem contradictory. Since verses 4 and 5 are written side-by-side, the implication is that there are times where one approach or the other is best. Generally, those who ignore God's truth (Proverbs 8:34–36) are dangerous and unreliable.

This chapter includes three main sections. The first repeatedly refers to a "fool," meaning someone lacking godly wisdom (Proverbs 1:7). The second warns against being lazy. The third condemns careless conflict, lying, and warns about those who disguise their hate with words. Several statements in this passage repeat or echo others made in the book of Proverbs.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.