Proverbs 10:26

26 Like vinegar to the teeth, like smoke to the eyes, so is the lazy person to those who send him [on a mission].

Proverbs 10:26 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 10:26

As vinegar to the teeth
Which, with its coldness and sourness, blunts the teeth, and makes it troublesome to eat: the Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic versions, render it,

``as the sour grape is hurtful to the teeth;''

sets them on edge; and as smoke to the eye;
dims the sight, causes the eye to water, and is very pernicious and vexatious: so [is] the sluggard to them that send him:
that is, the slothful messenger, as the Targum explains it; who, being sent on an errand, is dilatory, does not make haste to bring back the answer; which is very vexatious to those that send him, raises their passions, makes them fretful and very angry, be it on what account it will: so slothful and unprofitable servants, to whom talents are given for usefulness, which they hide or use not, are very provoking to Christ, and whom he will order into outer darkness; those who have gifts for sacred service ought not to be slothful in business, but fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, ( Matthew 25:26 Matthew 25:29 ) ( Romans 12:6-11 ) .

Proverbs 10:26 In-Context

24 That which wicked people dread happens to them, but [the LORD] grants the desire of righteous people.

25 When the storm has passed, the wicked person has vanished, but the righteous person has an everlasting foundation.

26 Like vinegar to the teeth, like smoke to the eyes, so is the lazy person to those who send him [on a mission].

27 The fear of the LORD lengthens [the number of] days, but the years of wicked people are shortened.

28 The hope of righteous people [leads to] joy, but the eager waiting of wicked people comes to nothing.