Proverbs 19:15 kjv

Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.

Proverbs 19:15 nkjv

Laziness casts one into a deep sleep, And an idle person will suffer hunger.

Proverbs 19:15 niv

Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless go hungry.

Proverbs 19:15 esv

Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger.

Proverbs 19:15 nlt

Lazy people sleep soundly,
but idleness leaves them hungry.

Proverbs 19 verses

Proverbs 19 15 Meaning

Proverbs 19:15 declares that the inherent nature of laziness leads one into a state of deep sleep or spiritual dullness. This deep slumber, more than mere physical rest, signifies an unresponsiveness to duty, opportunity, or even pressing needs. Consequently, a person characterized by idleness and apathy will inevitably experience lack and deprivation, represented by hunger, for they have failed to work for their sustenance.

Proverbs 19 15 Context

Proverbs is a book of wisdom, offering practical guidance for living a life that honors God and flourishes in His creation. Chapter 19 is part of a larger collection of Solomon's proverbs (chapters 10-22:16) which typically present ethical instructions through couplets, often using antithetical parallelism where two lines express opposing ideas. Verse 15 specifically addresses the vice of sloth, which is a recurring theme throughout Proverbs. In ancient Israel, an agrarian society, diligence was not merely a virtue but a necessity for survival. The direct consequences of neglecting one's work—such as crop failure, hunger, and poverty—were stark realities. This proverb also implies a spiritual dimension to diligence, where apathy not only leads to physical deprivation but also spiritual dullness that prevents one from recognizing divine opportunities or commands.

Proverbs 19 15 Word analysis

• עַצְלָה (`atslāh`): Laziness, sloth, sluggishness. This Hebrew term refers to a habitual disinclination to exert oneself, not merely an occasional rest. It signifies a deep-seated resistance to work and effort.
• תַּפִּיל (`tappîl`): To cast down, cause to fall, bring on. This is a causative verb, indicating that laziness is the direct agent or cause of the "deep sleep." It's not passive but an active bringing about of a state.
• תַּרְדֵּמָה (`tardēmāh`): Deep sleep, heavy sleep, trance, stupor. This is a profound, almost comatose state of unconsciousness, stronger than normal sleep (e.g., the sleep Adam was put in, Gen 2:21; Jonah's deep sleep in the storm, Jon 1:5-6). In a figurative sense, it implies a state of insensitivity, dullness, or apathy that renders a person unresponsive to responsibilities, warnings, or opportunities. It is a spiritual and mental stupor induced by a lifestyle of idleness.
• וְנֶפֶשׁ (`wᵉnefeš`): And a soul, and a person. `nefesh` can refer to the whole person, their life, soul, or inner being. Here it highlights that it's the very core of an individual that is affected.
• רְמִיָּה (`rᵉmîyāh`): Literally "deceit" or "slackness/laxness." While its primary meaning is deception, in the context of action or behavior, it can denote idleness or a neglectful, deceptive avoidance of responsibility. An "idle person" (`nefesh remiyah`) is one whose "spirit is slack" or who "deceptively evades work," implying both an internal state of apathy and an outward act of shirking duties.
• תִּרְעָב (`tir‘āḇ`): Will hunger, starve. This verb signifies the ultimate consequence of idleness. It is a direct and painful result of not laboring for sustenance, affecting one's physical well-being.

• "עַצְלָה תַּפִּיל תַּרְדֵּמָה" (Laziness casts into deep sleep): This phrase highlights a powerful cause-and-effect relationship. Laziness is not just an absence of activity, but an active force that pushes one into a state of profound unawareness or insensitivity. This "deep sleep" can manifest as a lack of drive, spiritual apathy, or general stupor that prevents engagement with life and its demands. It's a self-induced coma of inactivity.
• "וְנֶפֶשׁ רְמִיָּה תִּרְעָב" (And an idle/slack soul will hunger): This serves as the direct consequence, operating in parallel. The person who allows their spirit to be "slack" or "deceptively idle"—who avoids work and responsibility—will face hunger. This hunger can be literal physical need or a metaphorical hunger for success, well-being, or spiritual nourishment that never materializes because no effort was expended to obtain it.

Proverbs 19 15 Bonus section

The "deep sleep" (tardēmāh) imagery is significant. Unlike regular sleep that refreshes, this type of sleep implies a profound, almost involuntary, state of spiritual or mental oblivion, making the individual incapable of responding effectively to life's demands. It can be seen as a form of self-induced spiritual lethargy. The Hebrew concept of nefesh remiyah for "idle person" uniquely links idleness to a "slack" or even "deceptive" spirit, implying that laziness isn't just a physical inactivity but an inner shirking of responsibility or a dishonest avoidance of labor. This connects the vice of sloth to character, suggesting an integrity issue rather than just a behavioral one. The proverb stands as a direct contrast to wisdom, which urges diligence, foresight, and active engagement with life's callings. It underscores that poverty and want are often not random misfortunes but direct consequences of personal choices and a habitual mindset.

Proverbs 19 15 Commentary

Proverbs 19:15 serves as a potent warning against the insidious nature of laziness, depicting it not merely as inaction but as an active force that brings forth detrimental consequences. The verse identifies a two-stage process: first, laziness ushers in a state of profound lethargy or "deep sleep" (Hebrew tardēmāh). This isn't just physical rest, but a metaphorical stupor—a spiritual and mental dullness that renders one oblivious to the world, to duties, and to opportunities. It's an internal paralysis of initiative and awareness. Secondly, this deep-seated idleness directly results in suffering and deprivation, metaphorically represented by "hunger." An "idle soul" or "slack spirit" fails to engage in the necessary labor to sustain itself, whether physically, professionally, or spiritually. Thus, lack and want become the inevitable companions of the sluggard. The proverb teaches that apathy leads to an unproductive life, ending in need and want, affirming the biblical principle that consistent, diligent effort is necessary for provision and prosperity, in both material and spiritual realms.

• Example 1: A student constantly procrastinates, missing study deadlines. Their "laziness casts into deep sleep," where they become unaware of the upcoming exam or the importance of daily review. Consequently, come exam time, they "will hunger" for good grades and knowledge they failed to acquire.
• Example 2: A Christian neglects daily prayer and Bible study. Their spiritual "laziness casts into deep sleep," dulling their spiritual senses and making them insensitive to God's leading or the needs of others. As a result, their "soul will hunger" for spiritual vitality, wisdom, and the blessings that come from communion with God.