Proverbs 26:10

The number and variety of interpretations which have been given to this verse justify the remark of R.V. marg. that "The Hebrew is obscure."

The rendering of R.V. text is: As an archer(comp. Job 16:13, where the same Heb. word is so rendered) that woundeth all, so is he that hireth the fooland he that hireth them that pass by. But the objection to this is that instead of the foolbeing the main subject, as he is in all this group of proverbs, he is out of place, and the introduction of him mars the symmetry of the proverb, which should run: As an archer who wounds every one within his reach, friend and foe alike, so is a master who hires all who pass by, good workman and bad indifferently.

For this reason, if for no other, the rendering of R.V. margin is to be preferred: A master-worker formeth all things (we may supply in thought, either (1) and in order to do so makes wise choice of his instruments, or (2) he therefore is wise who employs such an one); but he that hireth the fool is as he that hireth them that pass by every unskilled instrument that comes to his hand.

The introduction of the word Godin A.V. is without authority, and the sense given by it to the proverb is less pertinent.