Proverbs 27:3 kjv

A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both.

Proverbs 27:3 nkjv

A stone is heavy and sand is weighty, But a fool's wrath is heavier than both of them.

Proverbs 27:3 niv

Stone is heavy and sand a burden, but a fool's provocation is heavier than both.

Proverbs 27:3 esv

A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty, but a fool's provocation is heavier than both.

Proverbs 27:3 nlt

A stone is heavy and sand is weighty,
but the resentment caused by a fool is even heavier.

Proverbs 27 verses

Proverbs 27 3 Meaning

Proverbs 27:3 conveys a profound truth about human burden, contrasting the tangible weight of physical objects with the intangible, yet far greater, burden of dealing with a foolish person. While lifting a stone or carrying sand are undeniably strenuous, the ongoing vexation, anger, and grief caused by the disruptive and irrational behavior of a "fool" (a morally deficient and stubbornly unwise person) is described as infinitely more oppressive and exhausting. This verse highlights that relational and emotional stress, especially that induced by persistent foolishness, surpasses physical hardship in its impact on one's well-being.

Proverbs 27 3 Context

Proverbs chapter 27 comprises a collection of pithy, independent sayings, common in the book of Proverbs, offering practical wisdom for daily living and social interactions. It covers a range of topics including humility, friendship, open rebuke, diligence, and managing conflict. Verse 3 is embedded within this fabric of advice, specifically dealing with the relational difficulties that arise from dealing with people of unsound character. It stands as a sharp warning about the extreme mental and emotional toll associated with foolish behavior, contrasting it with common physical burdens to emphasize its unique and severe impact. The broader context of Proverbs constantly differentiates between the path of the wise and the path of the fool, with the latter always leading to distress, conflict, and destructive consequences, not only for the fool themselves but, as this verse shows, for those who must endure their "provocation."

Proverbs 27 3 Word analysis

• Stone (אֶבֶן - 'eben): A fundamental, heavy object. Represents physical, tangible weight and labor. Universally understood symbol of significant burden.
• heavy (כָּבֵד - kaved): Adjective derived from the root signifying weight, honor, or glory. Here, denotes substantial physical weight and effort to move.
• sand (חוֹל - chol): Though individually light, in bulk, sand is incredibly burdensome and difficult to manage. Represents a cumulative, unwieldy, and extensive burden.
• burden (נֵטֶל - netel): A load or a weight, often implying something carried or lifted. Reinforces the idea of physical hardship.
• but (וְ - ve): A strong adversative conjunction, serving to highlight the sharp contrast between the physical burdens and the following spiritual/emotional one. It sets up the striking comparison.
• provocation / vexation (כַּעַס - ka'as): This term is crucial. It signifies anger, grief, rage, indignation, or intense vexation. It implies the constant emotional distress, irritation, and potential outbursts (both the fool's and one's own provoked reaction) that stem from interacting with such a person. It is not a passive annoyance but an active, internal, burdensome agitation.
• a fool (כְּסִיל - kesil): A specific Hebrew term for a fool in Proverbs, distinguishing them from other categories of foolishness. A kesil is not merely unlearned, but morally insensitive, arrogant, stubborn, rebellious against instruction, and often prone to destructive or aggravating behavior. They choose a path contrary to wisdom and God's ways, inevitably causing trouble for others.
• heavier than both: This emphatic phrase underscores the spiritual, emotional, and mental toll. It explicitly states that the emotional and psychological distress caused by a fool's actions surpasses the greatest physical labors imaginable. The comparison quantifies an intangible burden against tangible ones.

Words-group analysis

• A stone is heavy and sand a burden: This phrase establishes a baseline for physical difficulty that everyone can comprehend. It speaks to universally understood experiences of hard labor and exertion. By setting this clear physical standard, the proverb prepares the listener for a burden even greater.
• but provocation by a fool is heavier than both: This directly juxtaposes the two types of burdens. The "provocation by a fool" isn't a single event but implies a continuous, irksome, and maddening interaction. The impact is not merely physical fatigue but deep emotional exhaustion, mental anguish, and spiritual depletion, rendering it profoundly more oppressive than any physical load. It speaks to the ongoing stress, frustration, and moral outrage that can arise from sustained contact with someone determinedly unwise and antagonistic.

Proverbs 27 3 Bonus section

• The comparison employed in Proverbs 27:3 is a hyperbolic illustration, effectively emphasizing the severe nature of relational strain over physical labor. It suggests that while we can often rest from physical exertion, the mental and emotional weariness from a foolish person's persistent negativity or hostility can be ceaseless.
• The "fool" (kesil) in Proverbs is characterized by more than mere ignorance; they are willfully obtuse, resistant to correction, and often morally arrogant. Dealing with such a mindset requires immense patience and discernment, and the proverb indicates that even these virtues have their limits in alleviating the generated burden.
• This verse subtly reinforces the wisdom of choosing one's associates carefully (Prov 13:20) and highlights the value of inner peace, which can be easily disrupted by a fool's presence or actions.
• The lesson is not to avoid all challenging people, but to recognize the distinct, draining nature of interacting with those who are actively, stubbornly foolish, and to seek wisdom in managing such interactions to protect one's spiritual and emotional well-being.

Proverbs 27 3 Commentary

Proverbs 27:3 offers profound insight into the real weight of human relationships. It uses the vivid imagery of immense physical burdens—a heavy stone and burdensome sand—to convey a spiritual and psychological truth: the emotional toll of persistent conflict or vexation caused by a foolish person far exceeds any physical exertion. The "fool" described here is not simply unintelligent but one who lacks moral discernment and rejects wisdom, thus acting in ways that continually provoke, irritate, and frustrate those around them. This proverb cautions against engaging deeply or long-sufferingly with such individuals, highlighting the immense drain they can become on one's spirit and peace. It underscores that peace of mind and inner tranquility are often harder to maintain when dealing with moral foolishness than when undertaking physically arduous tasks.