Proverbs 26:10As an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or he who hires those who pass by.
The setting
Ancient Israel, ~950 BC. Royal court or marketplace where skilled archers demonstrate their craft for hire, while observers note the chaos when untrained bowmen take up the bow...
The emotion here: frustrated by watching preventable disasters
The original word
kĕsîyl (כְּסִיל) — thick-headed fool, morally insensitive person who lacks judgment
Why it matters
Ancient archers required years of training; a wild archer could kill allies as easily as enemies
Read with care
What most readers miss in Proverbs 26:10
This isn't about laziness — it's about the DAMAGE caused by putting the wrong person in the wrong position
Common misconceptionPeople think this is about being mean to foolish people, but it's actually about the responsibility of leaders who put unqualified people in positions where they can hurt others.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Proverbs 26:10
Bible Genome reading
Proverbs 26:10 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Proverbs 26:10 comes from the book of Proverbs, written during the United Kingdom period. The dominant emotion in this verse is deciding, with a comfort power of 20% and a tone that is commanding. It belongs to the wisdom genre of biblical literature. Key themes include wisdom, hiring, danger. Notable phrases: archer who wounds all; hires a fool.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same deciding
“"You shall have no other gods before me.”
— Deuteronomy 5:7
“"You shall not murder.”
— Exodus 20:13
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
— Matthew 23:12
“For God didn't give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.”
— 2 Timothy 1:7
“But Peter said, "Silver and gold have I none, but what I have, that I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!"”
— Acts 3:6
Your reflection
What does Proverbs 26:10 mean to you, today?
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