Proverbs 26:8 kjv

As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.

Proverbs 26:8 nkjv

Like one who binds a stone in a sling Is he who gives honor to a fool.

Proverbs 26:8 niv

Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honor to a fool.

Proverbs 26:8 esv

Like one who binds the stone in the sling is one who gives honor to a fool.

Proverbs 26:8 nlt

Honoring a fool
is as foolish as tying a stone to a slingshot.

Proverbs 26 verses

Proverbs 26 8 Meaning

Proverbs 26:8 presents a vivid analogy: "Like one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool." This verse means that bestowing respect, position, or influence upon an individual lacking wisdom and discernment (a "fool") is an utterly nonsensical and counterproductive act. Just as a sling is designed to propel a stone, binding the stone within it renders both the stone and the sling useless for their intended purpose, making the action futile and potentially harmful. Similarly, granting honor or authority to a fool means that honor is wasted, corrupted, and will inevitably lead to negative consequences due to the fool's inherent inability to manage it wisely.

Proverbs 26 8 Context

Proverbs chapter 26 is largely a collection of wise sayings primarily addressing "fools" and "sluggards." The chapter paints a vivid picture of the nature of a fool, the futility of arguing with them, and the dangers of associating with or empowering them. Verse 8 fits squarely within this thematic context, directly warning against the foolish act of elevating a fool. In the ancient Near East, a sling (קלע, qela‘) was a common, powerful weapon, renowned for its effectiveness in the hands of a skilled user (like David against Goliath). To bind a stone in a sling, rather than loading it to be flung, makes the tool and its projectile utterly dysfunctional. Similarly, "honor" (כבוד, kavod) signified not just respect, but social standing, authority, and influence. Bestowing such high esteem required careful discernment in a hierarchical society; thus, giving it to a "kesil" (כסיל), a particular type of fool characterized by stubbornness, moral senselessness, and disdain for wisdom, was seen as a grave error with far-reaching consequences for the individual, the community, and the very concept of honor itself.

Proverbs 26 8 Word analysis

• Like one who binds (כצרור / kĕṣĕrōr): This is a noun derived from the verb "to bind" or "to tie up." It implies the act of tightly securing, wrapping, or containing. The critical aspect here is that the action prevents the object from performing its intended function. It signifies an intentional act of rendering something useless by misapplication.
• a stone (אבן / 'eben): A common, natural object, used as a projectile in ancient warfare and hunting. In the context of the sling, it represents the potential for effective action.
• in a sling (במקלע / bimqela‘): The sling (qela‘) was an effective ancient weapon designed to hurl projectiles with great force. The preposition "in" or "with" is key; the stone is not merely carried, but bound in the sling, making it impossible to use the sling for its purpose. The image evokes an act of profound misuse.
• so is he who gives honor (כן־נותן כבוד / kēn nōṯēn kāḇōḏ):
  • gives (nōṯēn): The active participle, "giving," highlighting the direct and intentional nature of the action.
  • honor (kāḇōḏ): This word implies weighty importance, glory, respect, high reputation, or an elevated position of authority and influence. It's not casual politeness but significant deference and standing.
• to a fool (לכסיל / lakkesîl): This is a crucial term in Proverbs. A kesil is not merely unintelligent but morally and spiritually senseless. This type of fool is self-confident, resistant to instruction, despises wisdom (Prov 1:7), and ultimately brings destruction upon themselves and others through their lack of discernment and inability to grasp divine truth or practical prudence.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Like one who binds a stone in a sling": This phrase creates a powerful, almost absurd, visual metaphor. It portrays an act of ultimate futility and misdirection. The design of a sling is to release, propel, and cause impact. Binding the stone prevents propulsion, rendering both the tool and the projectile utterly ineffective for their intended, vital purpose. It speaks to a waste of potential and a complete misunderstanding of proper function.
• "so is he who gives honor to a fool": This compares the nonsensical physical act to a socially and morally disastrous one. Giving significant honor or authority to a kesil is to place valuable responsibility into hands that will not only fail to manage it but will likely pervert it, causing harm to themselves and others. The honor itself becomes useless or a source of misdirection, much like the bound stone in the sling. The parallelism highlights a profound principle of discernment: a failure to properly discern a person's character (a fool) leads to a misuse of valuable resources (honor) with unproductive and detrimental results.

Proverbs 26 8 Bonus section

• The stark absurdity of the opening image – "binding a stone in a sling" – is intentional. It immediately confronts the reader with a situation that defies common sense and highlights the utter irrationality of the comparable act of giving honor to a fool. It's not just unproductive, but fundamentally ridiculous.
• This proverb emphasizes that honor is not a transformative agent for a fool; it does not turn folly into wisdom. Instead, the fool corrupts or trivializes the honor, rendering it ineffective or even destructive.
• The proverbs about fools are not just observational but prescriptive, teaching the reader how to navigate interactions in a world populated by both wise and foolish people. This particular proverb provides guidance on whom not to empower or elevate.
• The analogy might also imply that the honor bestowed on the fool eventually becomes a burden or causes self-inflicted harm to the one who gave it, or even to the fool themselves, much like an improperly used sling could injure its user.

Proverbs 26 8 Commentary

Proverbs 26:8 presents a striking and easily visualizable analogy to convey a critical principle: the immense folly of bestowing honor or influence upon an individual devoid of wisdom. The act of "binding a stone in a sling" is physically counterproductive; a sling's purpose is to release a stone, not secure it. Such an action negates the sling's utility and the stone's potential, rendering both functionally useless. In the same way, bestowing "honor"—which includes respect, social status, and potentially power or authority—upon a "fool" (a kesil, defined in Proverbs as morally senseless, resistant to instruction, and characterized by a stubborn lack of discernment) is equally self-defeating.

A fool, by definition, lacks the discernment and integrity necessary to appropriately wield honor or authority. Any honor given will not elevate the fool's character or actions; rather, it will be mismanaged, abused, or wasted, much like the bound stone cannot fulfill its purpose. This Proverb warns against the pervasive and dangerous societal practice of promoting or celebrating those who, due to their inherent foolishness, are unfit for such positions. It highlights that true honor must be earned and corresponds with character, not simply bestowed indiscriminately. Failure to heed this warning results in the debasement of the honor itself and often leads to chaos, injustice, or unproductive outcomes for all involved. The proverb serves as a foundational call for discernment in all aspects of leadership and recognition within communities.

• Example 1: Promoting a demonstrably lazy and incompetent employee to a position of leadership out of favoritism or misplaced pity. The promotion does not make them effective; it exposes their weaknesses on a larger scale and harms the team.
• Example 2: Consistently heaping praise and high-profile responsibilities on someone who repeatedly acts impulsively, ignores good counsel, and is consumed by selfish desires. The "honor" granted simply gives them a larger platform for their folly.
• Example 3: A community electing a known deceptive and unprincipled individual to public office. The honor of the office does not dignify the individual; rather, the individual's folly demeans the office.