Proverbs Chapter 13 · Verse 4
The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
Original Language Analysis
וָ֭אַיִן
H369
וְנֶ֖פֶשׁ
The soul
H5315
וְנֶ֖פֶשׁ
The soul
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
3 of 7
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
וְנֶ֖פֶשׁ
The soul
H5315
וְנֶ֖פֶשׁ
The soul
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
5 of 7
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
Cross References
Proverbs 12:24The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.Proverbs 12:11He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.Proverbs 10:4He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.Proverbs 11:25The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.Hebrews 6:11And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:Proverbs 28:25He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.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.Proverbs 8:34Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.Isaiah 58:11And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.Proverbs 26:13The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
Historical Context
Agricultural society made the principle self-evident - crops required planting, tending, and harvest. Wanting harvest without labor was delusional. The principle extends to all vocations.
Questions for Reflection
- What do you desire that you're unwilling to work diligently to obtain?
- How does your work ethic reflect faith that God blesses faithful labor?
Analysis & Commentary
The soul of the sluggard desires and has nothing, but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. The slothful person wants without working; the diligent worker receives abundance. Desire without effort produces nothing; desire with diligence produces plenty. This verse refutes entitlement mentality, insisting that outcomes require effort. Wishing doesn't create reality; labor does. Diligence is rewarded; sloth is punished by want.