Proverbs 10:4 kjv

He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

Proverbs 10:4 nkjv

He who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich.

Proverbs 10:4 niv

Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.

Proverbs 10:4 esv

A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.

Proverbs 10:4 nlt

Lazy people are soon poor;
hard workers get rich.

Proverbs 10 verses

Proverbs 10 4 Meaning

Proverbs 10:4 concisely declares a fundamental principle of life: a lack of diligence and a lazy approach inevitably lead to poverty or deficiency, while consistent and industrious effort naturally results in abundance and prosperity. It highlights a direct cause-and-effect relationship between one's work ethic and their financial or material condition.

Proverbs 10 4 Context

Proverbs 10 marks a significant shift in the book, introducing short, antithetical proverbs, largely two-line verses where the second line often contrasts or expands on the first. This structure (a vs. b) vividly highlights the dichotomy between wisdom and folly, righteousness and wickedness, and their resulting consequences. Verse 4 serves as an initial example within this collection, establishing the theme of ethical and practical living linked to material outcomes. It reflects the agricultural society of ancient Israel, where manual labor was essential for survival and prosperity, and diligence was a highly valued trait. There's no direct polemic against specific beliefs, but rather an affirmation of a divinely ordered reality where responsible stewardship and effort are rewarded, implicitly contrasting any worldview that promotes idleness or expects blessings without labor.

Proverbs 10 4 Word analysis

• Lazy (רְמִיָּה - rᵉmiyyāh): Literally means "deceit" or "slackness," but in this context, particularly as a description of hands, it denotes neglect, idleness, or lack of proper effort. It carries a sense of moral failing, not just physical inactivity. The hands, as instruments of labor, are 'deceitful' in that they betray their purpose by not working.
• hands (כַּפַּיִם - kappayim): A common term for hands, representing agency, labor, and work. In biblical wisdom, 'hands' frequently symbolize action and effort. The dual form emphasizes the totality of one's manual effort or lack thereof.
• make for / brings (מַעֲשָׂה - maʿaśâ in the Qere, which the Masoretes suggest should be read; Kethiv has רָשׁ – rāsh directly, implying "lazy hands are poverty"). The Masoretic pointing leads to the meaning "causes" or "brings about," indicating a causal relationship.
• poverty (רָשׁ - rāsh): Denotes destitution, neediness, or lack. It is the direct consequence of idleness. This word signifies a state of being poor.
• but (וְ - wᵉ): A conjunction introducing a strong contrast, emphasizing the antithetical relationship between the two clauses.
• diligent (חָרוּצִים - ḥārûṣîm): Implies sharpness, decisiveness, earnestness, and vigorous effort. It describes hands that are quick, decisive, and persistently engaged in labor. This goes beyond mere activity; it implies effectiveness and purposefulness.
• hands (יַד - yad): Similar to kappayim, here used in the singular for 'hand', emphasizing individual agency and decisive action.
• bring wealth / enriches (תַּעֲשִׁיר - taʿašîr): From the root ʿāšar, meaning "to be rich" or "to gain wealth." It is causative, indicating that diligent hands cause or bring about riches. The verb form suggests an ongoing process of accumulating wealth.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• Lazy hands: This phrase encapsulates the core idea of sloth or neglect in one's work. It points to a moral or attitudinal issue, not merely a physical limitation. The "laziness" of the hands suggests an unwillingness to engage in necessary effort.
• make for poverty: This is the direct, inevitable consequence. The proverb is prescriptive; it describes what happens. Poverty is not an accident but a result of one's inactive choices and behavior.
• but diligent hands: The strong contrast sets up the opposite outcome. "Diligent hands" are actively, keenly, and effectively engaged in productive labor. This is the positive counterpart to "lazy hands."
• bring wealth: This is the reward and blessing of diligence. "Wealth" here implies sufficiency, abundance, and prosperity that comes as a direct result of consistent hard work and wise stewardship.

Proverbs 10 4 Bonus section

The proverb's emphasis on 'hands' extends beyond mere physical labor to encompass all forms of human effort, planning, and execution. In the broader biblical context, diligence is not solely for personal gain but is also connected to faithful stewardship, honorable living, and the ability to contribute to others (e.g., Eph 4:28). This wisdom operates as a general principle; while exceptions may exist due to external factors (e.g., oppression, famine), the underlying divine order promotes diligence and warns against sloth. Spiritually, "lazy hands" can represent spiritual complacency or apathy, leading to a spiritual "poverty" in knowledge, experience, or fruitfulness, whereas "diligent hands" can symbolize zealous pursuit of God and obedience, yielding rich spiritual blessings.

Proverbs 10 4 Commentary

Proverbs 10:4 presents a straightforward yet profound truth regarding human behavior and its natural outcomes within God's ordered world. It establishes a fundamental principle: our work ethic directly influences our material well-being. "Lazy hands" (denoting sloth, negligence, or an unwillingness to exert effort) are causally linked to "poverty," signifying scarcity and need. Conversely, "diligent hands" (characterizing active, purposeful, and consistent labor) are portrayed as the direct agents of "wealth" and prosperity. This proverb emphasizes personal responsibility and the direct relationship between effort and reward. It highlights that God has designed the world such that responsible and active participation in work is typically the pathway to provision and flourishing. It is not about simply wishing for success, but actively engaging with the resources and opportunities given. This applies not just to financial matters but to any endeavor where consistent effort leads to positive results.