Proverbs 21:25 kjv

The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.

Proverbs 21:25 nkjv

The desire of the lazy man kills him, For his hands refuse to labor.

Proverbs 21:25 niv

The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work.

Proverbs 21:25 esv

The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.

Proverbs 21:25 nlt

Despite their desires, the lazy will come to ruin,
for their hands refuse to work.

Proverbs 21 verses

Proverbs 21 25 Meaning

The desire of the sluggard for comfort, ease, or material possessions becomes a source of self-inflicted torment and ruin because he refuses to put in the necessary effort or labor to achieve those desires. His own cravings consume him, leading to deprivation and an unfulfilled life.

Proverbs 21 25 Context

Proverbs chapter 21 is a collection of various proverbial sayings, touching upon a wide range of topics related to wisdom, righteousness, folly, wealth, poverty, justice, and the nature of humans and God. These are not always logically sequenced but present distilled truths. Verse 25 stands as a vivid contrast to the earlier parts of the chapter that often laud diligence (e.g., 21:5, "The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty."). It forms part of the ongoing theme within Proverbs highlighting the inevitable consequences of diligence versus sloth. The historical and cultural context for the original audience in ancient Israel heavily emphasized agricultural and vocational labor, viewing diligent work as a fundamental aspect of responsible living and provision within a covenant community. Idleness was a direct affront to the expectation of self-sufficiency and communal contribution. Indirectly, this proverb also serves as a polemic against any beliefs or practices that might encourage reliance on fate, magic, or unearned gain rather than responsible, active stewardship of one's life and resources. It stresses human agency and accountability.

Proverbs 21 25 Word analysis

• The desire (Hebrew: תַּאֲוָה, ta'avah): This word signifies a strong longing, craving, or appetite. While it can be neutral or even positive in some contexts, in Proverbs it frequently carries a negative connotation, referring to excessive, illicit, or unbridled desires (e.g., of the wicked, for gain, for wine). Here, it implies the sluggard's unfulfilled cravings for possessions, comfort, or ease, often coupled with an unwillingness to pay the cost.
• of the sluggard (Hebrew: עָצֵל, 'atsel): A central character in the book of Proverbs, appearing 14 times. The 'atsel is characterized by indolence, aversion to effort, and an innate love for ease and sleep. This is a volitional state, not an inability; the sluggard chooses not to work, often inventing absurd excuses.
• kills him (Hebrew: תְּמִיתֶנּוּ, t'mitennu, from root מות, mut meaning "to die, kill"): This phrase does not necessarily imply literal physical death, but rather spiritual, social, or economic ruin and deprivation. The unfulfilled desire metaphorically "kills" his quality of life, vitality, peace, and prosperity, leading to a state of living death, misery, or starvation. The craving consumes him because he will not pursue it through legitimate means.
• for his hands (Hebrew: יָדָיו, yadav, "his hands"): "Hands" metaphorically represent one's capacity, power, means, or readiness to act and labor.
• refuse to labor (Hebrew: מֵאֵן לַעֲשׂוֹת, me'en la-asot, from root מאן, ma'an, "to refuse, decline" and עֲשׂוֹת, 'asot, "to do, make, accomplish"): This emphasizes the deliberate, conscious choice of the sluggard. It's not a matter of inability or misfortune, but an active rejection of work. He possesses desires but rejects the only pathway to their fulfillment.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "The desire... kills him": This phrase highlights a powerful internal paradox. What should be a motivator (desire) turns into a destroyer because it is disconnected from effort. The longing itself becomes a self-inflicted weapon, inflicting spiritual and material suffering rather than inspiring action that could lead to fulfillment.
• "for his hands refuse to labor": This second clause provides the direct explanation and consequence for the first. The unfulfilled longing is directly caused by the refusal to act. The sluggard is not passive; he actively resists engaging in productive work. His refusal makes him impotent in achieving his own aims, leading to his ruin.

Proverbs 21 25 Bonus section

This proverb emphasizes personal responsibility and agency in achieving one's well-being. It illustrates a foundational principle that the physical and material world often operates on cause and effect: effort yields fruit, and idleness leads to lack. It underscores that true contentment does not come from unearned luxury but from the satisfaction of purposeful activity and the fruits of one's labor. From a theological perspective, it aligns with the biblical view of work as a divine design and human calling (Gen 2:15, Gen 3:19). The sluggard's predicament can be seen as a form of self-condemnation, a choice to live a life marked by increasing deficiency rather than the abundance that God intends for those who are faithful and diligent stewards. It serves as a stern warning against spiritual laziness as well, where a desire for growth, peace, or righteousness is never translated into active prayer, study, obedience, or service.

Proverbs 21 25 Commentary

Proverbs 21:25 masterfully exposes the self-destructive cycle of the sluggard. It reveals that the very longings that might stir others to action become a source of misery for the indolent. The sluggard yearns for comfort, security, or wealth, yet fundamentally resists the only means by which such desires are ordinarily fulfilled: diligent effort and labor. This resistance is a conscious, active choice, a refusal. Consequently, their desires, far from being a blessing, become a consuming force, metaphorically "killing" them through persistent want, dissatisfaction, and the slow erosion of their well-being. This "killing" implies not physical death but profound deprivation, personal decline, and the failure to experience the fullness of life. The proverb starkly contrasts aspiration with application, demonstrating that desire without deed leads to desolate doom.

Examples:

• Someone desiring a healthier lifestyle but refusing to exercise or change eating habits will find their desire turns into continued illness and frustration.
• A student who wishes for good grades but refuses to study will experience the 'death' of academic failure and unfulfilled potential.
• A person who craves a harmonious home but neglects to contribute to household chores or address relational issues will live in perpetual discord.