Proverbs 26:4
Old Testament • 6 words with Strong's data
"Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him."
Word-by-Word Analysis
עָנָה
ʻânâh
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, ...
כְּסִיל
kᵉçîyl
properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or silly
פֶּה
peh
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos...
נְבָלָה
nᵉbâlâh
foolishness, i.e. (morally) wickedness; concretely, a crime; by extension, punishment
בִּלְתִּי
biltîy
properly, a failure of, i.e. (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because no...
דָּמָה
dâmâh
to compare; by implication, to resemble, liken, consider
Key Terms in This Verse
נְבָלָה nᵉbâlâh
foolishness, i.e. (morally) wickedness; concretely, a crime; by extension, punishment
Study H5039 →עָנָה ʻânâh
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, announce
Study H6030 →בִּלְתִּי biltîy
properly, a failure of, i.e. (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because not, until, etc.
Study H1115 →פֶּה peh
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) according to
Study H6310 →Cross References
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpio...
The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.
So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Isr...
But they held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king’s commandment was, saying, Answer him not.
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