Proverbs 26:9 Meaning and Explanation
“As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A parable in a fool's mouth is as harmful as a thorn piercing a drunkard's careless hand.
The Context of Proverbs 26:9
This verse echoes verse 7 with a different image, emphasizing that fools misuse wisdom-teaching in ways that cause real damage.
What Does Proverbs 26:9 Mean?
A drunkard's senses are dulled; he does not notice or feel a thorn piercing him until damage is done. A fool handling a parable causes similar harm through ignorance and lack of awareness. He wounds with words that, in wise hands, would heal.
The parable becomes a weapon of harm rather than a tool of teaching. Wisdom requires sobriety and attentiveness to speak truth well. A fool's carelessness and dullness of understanding turn the parable's power against both speaker and hearer.
Proverbs 26:9 in the Original Language
kochlim (כְחֹלִים), 'goes up'—or pierces, implying the thorn travels upward, embedded in flesh.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 26:9
What does Proverbs 26:9 mean?
A parable in a fool's mouth is as harmful as a thorn piercing a drunkard's careless hand.
What is the context of Proverbs 26:9?
This verse echoes verse 7 with a different image, emphasizing that fools misuse wisdom-teaching in ways that cause real damage.