Proverbs 12:27 kjv

The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.

Proverbs 12:27 nkjv

The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, But diligence is man's precious possession.

Proverbs 12:27 niv

The lazy do not roast any game, but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.

Proverbs 12:27 esv

Whoever is slothful will not roast his game, but the diligent man will get precious wealth.

Proverbs 12:27 nlt

Lazy people don't even cook the game they catch,
but the diligent make use of everything they find.

Proverbs 12 verses

Proverbs 12 27 Meaning

Proverbs 12:27 teaches a sharp contrast between the ineffective outcomes of the slothful and the valuable possessions of the diligent. It states that a lazy person, even after achieving an initial success such as obtaining game through hunting, fails to complete the necessary follow-through of preparing or utilizing it properly, resulting in its spoilage and a complete loss of its potential benefit. This illustrates how initial effort or opportunity is squandered by negligence. Conversely, the verse declares that the wealth or resources acquired by a diligent and industrious individual are precious and endure, implying they are preserved, utilized wisely, and increase in value due to consistent effort and careful management.

Proverbs 12 27 Context

Proverbs 12 belongs to the core collection of King Solomon's proverbs (Prov 10:1 – 22:16), characterized by pithy statements that contrast righteous and wise behavior with wickedness and foolishness. Throughout this section, practical wisdom for daily life is imparted, covering themes such as truthfulness, integrity, humility, and the diligent pursuit of labor. Verse 27 specifically resonates with verse 24 within the same chapter, which declares, "The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor." Historically, ancient Israel was largely an agricultural and pastoral society where productive labor, prudent management of resources, and timely action were vital for sustenance and prosperity. Hunting for game was a significant effort, and wasting the catch due to negligence would have been a glaring example of poor stewardship. The proverb speaks to timeless principles of personal responsibility, good work ethic, and the consequence of actions or inaction.

Proverbs 12 27 Word analysis

• לֹא יַחֲרֹךְ (lo yaḥăroḵ): "not he roasts" / "he does not prepare."
  • יַחֲרֹךְ (yaḥăroḵ), from the root ḥārakh, means "to burn," "scorch," or "char." In this context, it implies a failure to prepare the hunted game by cooking it, or more broadly, by letting it spoil, effectively ruining its value through neglect. It highlights the consequence of passive negligence—the loss or destruction of value—rather than a deliberate act of destruction. Some interpretations also suggest "he does not acquire profit from" or "he does not secure."
• רְמִיָּה (rᵉmîyâ): "slothful one" / "careless one" / "deceitful one."
  • This term derives from a root that can mean "to cast loose," implying laxity, negligence, or slackness, which aligns with "slothful." It can also carry connotations of unreliability or even treachery ("deceitful"), suggesting that one who is negligent might also be untrustworthy. In the context of Proverbs' frequent condemnation of idleness, "slothful" is the predominant and most fitting interpretation, emphasizing a failure of diligence.
• צֵידוֹ (ṣêdōw): "his hunt" / "his prey" / "his game."
  • This refers to the result of a hunting effort, symbolizing something valuable obtained through initial work or opportunity. It underlines the point that something was acquired, yet its potential remains unfulfilled due to subsequent inaction.
• וְהוֹן (wᵉhôn): "but the substance" / "but the wealth."
  • הוֹן (hôn) refers to possessions, property, wealth, or abundance. It denotes material resources or assets accumulated by an individual.
• אָדָם (ʾāḏām): "of a man" / "of a person."
  • A generic term for humankind, indicating that the principle applies universally to any individual.
• יָקָר (yāqār): "precious" / "valuable" / "costly."
  • Signifies something of high esteem, rarity, and significant worth. When applied to the substance of the diligent, it suggests that their wealth is not easily lost or squandered, and that it maintains or increases its value.
• חָרוּץ (ḥārûṣ): "diligent" / "industrious" / "energetic."
  • From a root implying "to cut," "to sharpen," or "to decide." This word depicts someone who is decisive, keen, energetic, and active in their pursuits. It implies not just hard work, but focused and persistent effort.

Words-group analysis:

• "The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting": This phrase powerfully illustrates the squandering of potential and resources. The core problem lies not in the inability to acquire (the "hunt" was successful), but in the failure to process or manage what has been gained. It vividly portrays negligence leading to waste, signifying that initial effort is meaningless without proper follow-through. This serves as a warning against incomplete work, poor stewardship, and missed opportunities arising from laziness.
• "but the substance of a diligent man is precious": This contrasting statement emphasizes the enduring value generated by consistent effort. A "diligent man" not only acquires "substance" but ensures its "preciousness." This signifies that their hard-earned assets are carefully preserved, effectively managed, and appreciate in value, representing solid and lasting achievement due to their active and continuous application of work ethic and prudence.

Proverbs 12 27 Bonus section

The Proverb encapsulates a foundational principle of wisdom: work ethic extends beyond initiation to diligent completion and proper stewardship. It's not just about what one gets, but what one does with what one gets. This verse speaks to personal responsibility, accountability for opportunities granted, and the economic reality that productive wealth is often the result of continuous labor and prudent management, not just raw acquisition. It underlines God's design for humanity to labor and exercise dominion over creation, wisely stewarding resources rather than wasting them.

Proverbs 12 27 Commentary

Proverbs 12:27 serves as a powerful testament to the value of thoroughness and persistent diligence, contrasting it with the pitfalls of idleness. The sluggard's failure to prepare his hunted game signifies more than mere lack of skill; it reveals a character flaw of neglecting essential steps that convert effort into benefit. This parable illustrates that simply acquiring something is insufficient; true value is realized only through careful preservation, wise processing, and active utilization of resources or opportunities. The diligent person, by contrast, not only works to obtain but continues to apply effort to maintain and enhance their gains, making their "substance" truly valuable. The verse thus teaches that consistent effort, careful stewardship, and effective follow-through are paramount for genuine prosperity and sustained worth, emphasizing the principle that all effort must culminate in productive completion.

• Example 1: An individual who starts an exercise program with enthusiasm but never consistently follows through, thereby losing any potential health benefits.
• Example 2: A person who receives a significant inheritance but through carelessness and poor management quickly squanders it, rendering the initial gift useless.
• Example 3: A church member gifted with evangelism who does not cultivate the gift or step out in faith to share the Gospel, letting the spiritual gift lie dormant and unapplied.