Proverbs 10:4
He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
Original Language Analysis
עֹשֶׂ֥ה
that dealeth
H6213
עֹשֶׂ֥ה
that dealeth
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
2 of 7
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
כַף
hand
H3709
כַף
hand
Strong's:
H3709
Word #:
3 of 7
the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-
וְיַ֖ד
but the hand
H3027
וְיַ֖ד
but the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
5 of 7
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
Cross References
Proverbs 21:5The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.Proverbs 20:4The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.Proverbs 19:15Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.Proverbs 13:4The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.Proverbs 12:24The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.Proverbs 20:13Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.Proverbs 19:24A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.1 Corinthians 15:58Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.Proverbs 11:24There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.John 6:27Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
Historical Context
Agricultural society in ancient Israel rewarded hard work with harvest abundance. Slothful farmers faced poverty as natural consequence of their negligence, teaching moral lessons through lived experience.
Questions for Reflection
- How does viewing work as worship and stewardship change your approach to daily tasks?
- Where might laziness be robbing you of the blessings that come from diligent labor?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Diligence in labor reflects faithful stewardship of God-given opportunities and abilities. The 'slack hand' indicates not merely poverty but moral failure—lazy neglect of covenant responsibility. The diligent hand brings wealth not through greed but through responsible industry, fulfilling the creation mandate to subdue the earth (Genesis 1:28).