Key Verse Spotlight
Proverbs 19:24 - Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing and how to apply it today
Translation: King James Version
A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
Proverbs 19:24
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Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
22 The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.
24 A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
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A lazy person is shown here to be foolish. He cares only about avoiding work and staying comfortable. Picture his posture: he hides his hand in his coat and acts as if he is too weak to work. His hands are cold, so he says he must warm them, and once they are warm, he will not take them out again. He clings to his own ease and has made up his mind against effort and hardship.
He will not even take the trouble to feed himself. This is an exaggerated way of speaking, but it makes the point clear. We say of someone very lazy that he would not even shake fire off himself, and this verse says the same thing in another way: he cannot bring himself to take his hand out of his bosom, not even to put food in his own mouth. If the rule is that those who will not work must not eat, he would rather go hungry than move. In that way, his sin becomes his punishment, which is why this laziness is such great foolishness.
From This Chapter
Proverbs 19:1
"Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool."
Proverbs 19:2
"Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth."
Proverbs 19:3
"The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD."
Proverbs 19:4
"Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour."
Proverbs 19:5
"A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape."
Proverbs 19:6
"Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts."
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