Proverbs 24 10

Proverbs 24:10 kjv

If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.

Proverbs 24:10 nkjv

If you faint in the day of adversity, Your strength is small.

Proverbs 24:10 niv

If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength!

Proverbs 24:10 esv

If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.

Proverbs 24:10 nlt

If you fail under pressure,
your strength is too small.

Proverbs 24 verses

Proverbs 24 10 Meaning

Proverbs 24:10 teaches that if one yields to discouragement or loses resolve during a time of affliction or distress, it reveals a fundamental weakness or insufficiency of inner strength. It posits a direct correlation between one's endurance in adversity and the true measure of their fortitude and character.

Proverbs 24 10 Context

Proverbs 24:10 is embedded within a collection of "Further Sayings of the Wise" (Proverbs 22:17-24:34). This section generally emphasizes the importance of wisdom, diligence, righteousness, and upright conduct, often contrasting these with folly and wickedness. Specifically, verses 5-6 in this chapter directly precede verse 10 and state, "A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge increases strength, for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory." This sets a direct literary context for verse 10, highlighting that true strength is rooted in wisdom and proper preparation. Thus, fainting in trouble reveals not merely physical weakness but a deeper lack of wisdom and moral fortitude, which ought to be built up by proper counsel and living.

Proverbs 24 10 Word analysis

• If (אִם - ’im): This is a conditional particle, establishing a premise for the following statement. It introduces a cause-and-effect relationship, indicating that the consequence depends entirely on the action described.

• you falter / you faint (הִתְרַפִּיתָ - hitrappīṯā): This is the Hithpael form of the root רָפָה (rāp̄āh), meaning "to slacken, loosen, become feeble, be disheartened, or give up." It describes an active relinquishing of effort or resolve, an internal failure of the spirit, rather than merely experiencing weakness. It implies a conscious act of becoming discouraged and letting go, suggesting a choice made under pressure.

• in a time of trouble / in the day of adversity (בְּיוֹם צָרָה - bə·yōm tsārāh):

  • Day (יוֹם - yōm): Can denote a literal day or a period/season. Here, it signifies "a time" or "period," emphasizing that this weakness is exposed specifically when trouble occurs.
  • Trouble / Adversity (צָרָה - tsārāh): From the root צוּר (tsûr) meaning "to bind, confine, distress." It describes a state of distress, anguish, affliction, narrowness, or tribulation. It implies a situation that puts pressure and limits on an individual. This is not minor inconvenience but significant duress.

• how small (מַה-צַר - mah-tsar):

  • How (מַה - mah): An exclamatory particle, emphasizing the degree or extent. It indicates surprise or strong assessment.
  • Small (צַר - tsar): The same root as tsārāh, meaning "narrow, restricted, scanty, confined, straitened." Here, it directly assesses the quality of one's strength—it is meager, limited, or inadequate for the situation.

• is your strength (כֹּחֶךָ - kōḥekā): From כֹּחַ (kōaḥ), meaning "power, vigor, force, ability, strength." This refers not merely to physical might but, in the context of wisdom literature, to one's inner resilience, moral resolve, spiritual fortitude, and capacity to endure.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "If you falter in a time of trouble": This phrase sets the scene for the evaluation. It points to a crucial test – trouble is not just an external event but an internal challenge where one's true resolve is revealed. The act of "faltering" suggests a surrender of will, a dropping of spiritual guard, implying a self-induced failure under pressure.
  • "how small is your strength!": This is the blunt assessment or diagnostic conclusion. It implies that true strength is only proven, or truly known, in times of difficulty. Apparent strength in easy times is insufficient if it cannot withstand adversity. The exclamatory "how small" underscores the surprising and significant inadequacy.

Proverbs 24 10 Bonus section

This proverb suggests that trouble serves as a spiritual diagnostic tool, revealing the true state of one's inner being. It is not merely an external event but a sifting mechanism. The verse highlights the active nature of yielding to pressure ("you falter") versus being passively weak. It is a challenge to cultivate enduring fortitude through wise preparation and a deep well of resilience. Furthermore, the tsar (narrowness) of adversity directly exposes the tsar (smallness) of inadequate strength, creating a striking linguistic echo between the problem and the revelation of deficiency. The wisdom of God encourages us to build robust foundations for our lives, knowing that testing will surely come, and it is by standing firm in those tests that true strength is affirmed.

Proverbs 24 10 Commentary

Proverbs 24:10 serves as a stark warning and a profound truth about human character. It teaches that one's real strength, not merely superficial bravado, is rigorously tested and revealed only in the crucible of adversity. Faltering—giving up, losing heart, or slackening one's resolve—in such moments is indicative of a lack of inner resources, be they spiritual, emotional, or moral. It is not enough to appear strong in calm seas; true resilience is shown when the storms rage. The verse implicitly encourages cultivating deep, lasting strength that can withstand life's inevitable pressures, urging dependence on God, who is the ultimate source of all true power, rather than fleeting human resolve. This foundational strength prepares individuals to not merely survive but to grow and persevere through hardship.

• Example 1: A student diligently studies for weeks but loses confidence and gives up on the final exam after seeing a difficult question. This demonstrates insufficient resolve.
• Example 2: A person begins a charitable project with enthusiasm but abandons it at the first significant obstacle or criticism, revealing their limited commitment.