Proverbs 21:25
The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
Original Language Analysis
תַּאֲוַ֣ת
The desire
H8378
תַּאֲוַ֣ת
The desire
Strong's:
H8378
Word #:
1 of 7
a longing; by implication, a delight (subjectively, satisfaction, objectively, a charm)
תְּמִיתֶ֑נּוּ
killeth
H4191
תְּמִיתֶ֑נּוּ
killeth
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
3 of 7
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
4 of 7
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
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 12:27The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.Proverbs 19:24A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.Proverbs 26:16The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.Proverbs 15:19The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.Matthew 25:26His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:Proverbs 20:4The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.
Historical Context
Agrarian economies made the connection between labor and survival immediate. Modern welfare systems can obscure this principle but don't eliminate it—sloth still produces poverty and dysfunction.
Questions for Reflection
- Do you accompany your desires with diligent work, or do you merely wish for outcomes?
- What areas require you to overcome laziness and act on your stated intentions?
Analysis & Commentary
The sluggard's desire becomes his executioner—'the desire of the slothful killeth him.' He wants outcomes without effort, prosperity without work. His hands 'refuse to labour,' yet he craves the fruit that only labor produces. This internal contradiction destroys him. Desire without corresponding action produces only frustration, poverty, and death. The sluggard demonstrates that good intentions mean nothing without implementation. Believers must not only desire righteousness but pursue it diligently. Faith without works is dead; desire without labor is deadly. The solution isn't eliminating desire but directing it properly and accompanying it with faithful diligence. Work is God's appointed means of provision; refusing it is rebelling against His design.