Proverbs 26:3

A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.

– Proverbs 26:3

 

This verse keeps with the theme of fittedness from the first two verses. The whip, bridle, and rod are fit for the horse, ass, and fool, respectively. The imagery works on at least two levels. The animals must be led and controlled by the whip and halter, just as the fool must be punished, or constrained by the rod. These animals are generally known for stubbornness and difficulty to handle and the fool is likened to them. Wisdom has previously shown the fool does not respond to verbal correction or instruction (Proverbs 10:13).

 

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