What Does Proverbs 10:26 Mean in the King James?
As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The one released to carry a purpose can become the friction that makes sending itself hurt.
THE MEANING
When the person entrusted with a task stalls it, the delay grates on the one who sent him like vinegar on teeth and smoke in eyes. The sender’s need remains exposed while the work fails to move forward.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
Being assigned a task does not mean the task is already moving; a sluggish carrier can make sending painful for the one depending on him.
THE ROOT
לְשֹׁלְחָיו
ləšōləḥāw
GROWS FROM
שלח
š-l-ḥ
Send forth, release, let go.
The phrase names the people who send the sluggard with a form of שלח (š-l-ḥ), a root that also carries the sense of releasing or letting go. The person is released into a task, but his sluggishness turns that sending into bodily irritation for the one depending on him.
ALSO GROWS
shallach: Send away; let go.
שַׁלַּח
In “Let my people go” (Exodus 5:1), the same root names release; here, the sender releases someone into a task.
Shiloach: Sent; the name behind Siloam, rendered “Sent” in John 9:7.
שִׁלֹחַ
The root also names sent waters associated with restored sight, showing how what is sent can carry restoration as well as responsibility.
shaliach: Emissary; one sent.
שָׁלִיחַ
This branch makes the relationship clear: the one sent carries the sender’s purpose, so his delay is felt by the person who entrusted it to him.
THE PATTERN
The reliability of the one carrying a commission shapes the sender’s experience: sluggishness brings distress, while faithfulness brings relief.
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.A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.THE THREAD
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.Both verses use the root שלח (š-l-ḥ) in their phrase for those who send the messenger. Proverbs 10:26 shows the sender’s irritation when the carrier stalls; this verse shows the same relationship transformed into refreshment through faithfulness.
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