Proverbs 6:8
Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
Original Language Analysis
תָּכִ֣ין
Provideth
H3559
תָּכִ֣ין
Provideth
Strong's:
H3559
Word #:
1 of 6
properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,
בַּקַּ֣יִץ
in the summer
H7019
בַּקַּ֣יִץ
in the summer
Strong's:
H7019
Word #:
2 of 6
harvest (as the crop), whether the product (grain or fruit) or the (dry) season
לַחְמָ֑הּ
her meat
H3899
לַחְמָ֑הּ
her meat
Strong's:
H3899
Word #:
3 of 6
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
Cross References
Proverbs 10:5He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.Proverbs 30:25The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;1 Timothy 6:19Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
Historical Context
Agricultural calendars governed ancient life - fixed seasons for planting, tending, harvesting, storing. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 celebrates this temporal wisdom: 'To every thing there is a season.' Missing harvest meant famine. This agricultural reality became spiritual metaphor - recognize and respond to providential opportunities.
Questions for Reflection
- What opportunities are currently 'in season' that require immediate response?
- How can you recognize God's timing rather than imposing your own schedule?
- What past 'harvests' did you miss by failing to act when opportunity was ripe?
Analysis & Commentary
The ant provides food in summer and gathers in harvest - wisdom is seasonal appropriateness. The Hebrew 'kuwn' (prepare/establish) and 'agar' (gather) describe foresighted labor. What's gathered in abundance sustains through scarcity. This verse teaches that wisdom recognizes opportune timing - there are seasons for sowing, growing, harvesting, storing. Miss the season, miss the blessing. Laziness ignores God's temporal ordering of provision.