Like an archer who wounds at random
This phrase evokes the image of an archer who shoots arrows without aim or purpose, causing unintended harm. In ancient warfare, archers were crucial, and their skill was vital for success. An archer who wounds at random is reckless and dangerous, highlighting the chaos and unpredictability of such actions. This imagery is used to illustrate the consequences of careless decisions. Biblically, this can be connected to the idea of wisdom and discernment, as seen in Proverbs 1:7, where the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. The randomness of the archer's actions contrasts with the order and purpose that God desires for His people.

is he who hires a fool or passerby
In ancient Israelite society, hiring someone was a significant decision, often involving trust and responsibility. A fool, in the biblical sense, is someone who lacks wisdom and understanding, often rejecting God's ways (Proverbs 1:22). Hiring a fool or a passerby—someone without a vested interest or understanding of the task—can lead to disastrous outcomes, much like the random wounding of an archer. This phrase warns against entrusting important tasks to those who are unqualified or unreliable. It reflects the broader biblical theme of seeking wisdom and counsel from those who are godly and wise, as seen in Proverbs 11:14, where there is safety in a multitude of counselors. This also points to the importance of discernment in leadership and decision-making, a quality exemplified by Jesus Christ, who chose His disciples with purpose and intention.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Archer
In ancient times, an archer was a skilled warrior or hunter who used a bow and arrow. The imagery of an archer in this proverb suggests someone with the potential to cause harm or chaos if not careful.

2. Fool
In the context of Proverbs, a fool is someone who lacks wisdom and understanding, often acting recklessly or without regard for consequences. The Hebrew word used here is (kesil), which denotes someone who is morally deficient or obstinate.

3. Passerby
This term refers to someone who is transient or not committed, often lacking the necessary knowledge or investment in a particular task or responsibility.

Teaching Points

The Danger of Carelessness
Just as an archer must aim carefully, we must be deliberate in our choices, especially when it comes to whom we trust with responsibilities.

The Consequences of Hiring Fools
Employing or partnering with those who lack wisdom can lead to unpredictable and often negative outcomes, much like an arrow shot without aim.

Discernment in Relationships
We must exercise discernment in our relationships and associations, ensuring that those we align with share our values and commitment to wisdom.

The Value of Wisdom
This proverb underscores the importance of seeking wisdom and understanding, both in ourselves and in those we choose to work with.

Accountability and Responsibility
We are accountable for the choices we make, including the people we hire or associate with. This calls for a responsible approach to decision-making.

Bible Study Questions and Answers

1. What is the meaning of Proverbs 26:10?2. How does Proverbs 26:10 warn against hiring fools or strangers for tasks? 3. What does "shooting arrows" symbolize in Proverbs 26:10 regarding responsibility? 4. How can we discern between wise and foolish workers in our lives? 5. What other Proverbs emphasize the dangers of associating with fools? 6. How can Proverbs 26:10 guide our decisions in leadership and delegation?7. What does Proverbs 26:10 reveal about God's role in human actions and consequences?8. How does Proverbs 26:10 challenge the concept of divine justice?9. In what ways does Proverbs 26:10 address the theme of wisdom versus folly?10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 26?11. What does the Bible say about fools?12. Proverbs 26 (overall): How do we reconcile the repeated harshness toward 'fools' with biblical themes of mercy, forgiveness, and understanding?13. Proverbs 26:4-5: How can these adjacent verses not be contradictory when they offer opposite instructions on answering fools?14. Proverbs 26:7: Does the idea of a proverb in a fool's mouth being 'useless' conflict with other Bible passages that suggest all wisdom is beneficial?

What Does Proverbs 26:10 Mean

Like an archer

“Like an archer…” (Proverbs 26:10a) paints a vivid picture everyone can grasp: a skilled warrior whose arrows can travel farther and faster than any sword. Scripture often uses the bow to describe a potent, sometimes hidden force (Psalm 11:2; Jeremiah 9:3). A few points to notice:

• An archer controls a weapon with enormous reach; the impact may be felt long after the arrow leaves the bow (Psalm 64:3–4).

• Once released, an arrow cannot be recalled—mirroring the lasting consequences of our choices (Proverbs 25:18).

• The simile hints at responsibility; the archer must aim with care, or innocent people suffer (2 Samuel 11:15-17).

Who wounds at random

“…who wounds at random…” (Proverbs 26:10b) zeroes in on reckless aim.

• Random shots make no distinction between friend or foe, echoing Ecclesiastes 9:18, “one sinner destroys much good.”

• Such indiscriminate harm reminds us of Saul’s rash oath that endangered his own army (1 Samuel 14:24-45).

• Jesus warned of careless words that pierce hearts like stray arrows (Matthew 12:36-37), underscoring how unmeasured actions spill damage everywhere.

Is he who hires a fool or passerby

“…is he who hires a fool or passerby.” (Proverbs 26:10c) ties the imagery to everyday life. Employing the wrong person is as dangerous as a loose arrow.

• A fool in Proverbs is one who rejects God’s wisdom (Proverbs 1:7). Hiring such a person spreads harm through a business, church, or home, just as Proverbs 26:6 warns, “Sending a message by the hand of a fool cuts off one’s own feet.”

• Even a casual passerby—someone with no proven character—can wreak havoc when handed responsibility. Rehoboam’s choice of untested counselors split a kingdom (1 Kings 12:8-16).

• Paul instructed Timothy, “Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands” (1 Timothy 5:22), because unvetted leadership endangers the flock (Acts 20:29-30).

summary

Proverbs 26:10 warns that entrusting power to the foolish or unfamiliar is reckless, like an archer loosing arrows into a crowd. Responsible believers choose coworkers, leaders, and friends prayerfully and wisely, protecting others from needless wounds and honoring the God whose Word guides every decision.

(10) The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.--If this rendering of the passage could stand, Matthew 6:2 might be quoted in illustration of it. If fools and transgressors will set their mind upon "husks" (Luke 15:16) instead of the food God has provided for His children, He does not deny it to them; they have the reward they seek for. But the Hebrew can hardly yield this meaning. Of all the various renderings suggested, perhaps the most unobjectionable is as follows. A master (one skilled in his art), produces everything (by his own care and oversight he sees himself that it is properly done); but a fool hires (others to do his work), and he hires passers by., i.e., any casual person that comes in his way, whether skilled or not, and so the work is done badly.

Verse 10. - Few passages have given greater difficulty than this verse; almost every word has been differently explained. The Authorized Version is, The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and re-wardeth transgressors; Revised Version, As an archer (Job 16:13) that woundeth all, so is he that hireth the fool and he that hireth thorn that pass by. At first sight one would hardly suppose that these could be versions of the same passage. To show the diversity that obtained in early times we quote the Greek and Latin versions. Septuagint, "All the flesh of fools is much distressed (πολλὰ χειμάζεται), for their distraction (ἔκστασις) is brought to nought;" Vulgate, "Judgment decides causes, and he who imposes silence on a fool appeases wrath." From the various interpretations of which this proverb is capable, it may be surmised that it was originally one of those hard sayings which were intended to exercise the ingenuity of auditors. It has certainly had that effect in modern times. We may at once eliminate the rendering of the Authorized Version, though the sense is good and scriptural, denoting that the great Creator recompenses the good and punishes sinners. So the medieval jingle -

"Ante Dei vultum nihil unquam restat inultum." God is not in the Hebrew, and rab, "great," is never used absolutely as equivalent to "God." Nor is the word used elsewhere to mean "head workman;" so the Revised Version margin, "a master worker formeth all things," is suspicious. Some translate, "A great man woundeth [equivalent to 'punisheth'] all; he renders their due to fools and to transgressors." One does not see why this should be attributed to the great man; it certainly is not generally true. Rosenmuller, "The mighty man causes terror; so does he who hires the fool and the transgressor;" but it is not clear why the hiring of a fool should occasion terror. The rendering in the Revised Version, or something very similar, has found favour with many modern commentators, though quite unknown to the mere ancient versions. According to this interpretation, the proverb says that a careless, random way of doing business, taking into one's service fools, or entrusting matters of importance to any chance loiterer, is as dangerous as shooting arrows about recklessly without caring whither they flew or whom they wounded. To this view Nowack objects that it is unparalleled to present an archer as a picture of what is unusual and profitless; that it does not explain why "hireth" is twice repeated; that the connection between shooter and the hire of fool and loiterer is net obvious; and that עברים does not mean "vagabonds" or "passers by." None of these objections are of much importance; and this interpretation still holds its ground. There is also much to be said for the rendering of the Revised Version margin, which is virtually that of Gesenius, Fleischer, Wordsworth, Nutt, and others: A skilful man, a master workman, produces, makes, everything by his own care and superintendence; but he that hires a fool to do his work hires, as it were, any casual vagabond who may know nothing of the business. One objection to this interpretation is that the verb חולל, does not elsewhere have the meaning here attributed to it. Considering all the above interpretations unsatisfactory, Hitzig, after Umbreit, followed herein by Delitzsch and Nowack, translates, "Much bringeth forth all," which means that he who possesses much can do anything, or, as St. Matthew 13:12, "Whosoever hath, to him shall be given" (comp. Proverbs 1:5). But the second hemistich comes in rather lamely, "But he who hires a fool is as one who hires a vagabond." Hence Delitzsch reads וּשְׂכַד for the first וְשכֵר, and renders, "But the hire and the hirer of the fool pass away," i.e. what the fool gets as wages is soon squandered, and the person who took him into his service is ruined by his incapacity. In this case the connection of the two clauses would be this: A rich man, in the nature of things, grows richer; but there are exceptions to this rule; for he who employs stupid and incapable people to do his business suffers for it in property, reputation, and probably in person also; and the incompetent person derives no benefit from the connection. It is impossible to give a decided preference to any of these expositions; and the passage must be left as a crux. It is most probable that the Hebrew text is defective. This would account for the great variations in the versions. Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Like an archer
רַ֥ב (raḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7227: Much, many, great

who wounds
מְחֽוֹלֵֽל־ (mə·ḥō·w·lêl-)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 2342: To twist, whirl, to dance, to writhe in pain, fear, to wait, to pervert

at random
כֹּ֑ל (kōl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

is he who hires
וְשֹׂכֵ֥ר (wə·śō·ḵêr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7936: To hire

a fool
כְּ֝סִ֗יל (kə·sîl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3684: Stupid fellow, dullard, fool

or
וְשֹׂכֵ֥ר (wə·śō·ḵêr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7936: To hire

passer-by.
עֹבְרִֽים׃ (‘ō·ḇə·rîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

Links

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Proverbs 26:10 Catholic BibleOT Poetry: Proverbs 26:10 As an archer who wounds all so (Prov. Pro Pr)