Proverbs 6:10 kjv

Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:

Proverbs 6:10 nkjv

A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep?

Proverbs 6:10 niv

A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest?

Proverbs 6:10 esv

A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,

Proverbs 6:10 nlt

A little extra sleep, a little more slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest ?

Proverbs 6 verses

Proverbs 6 10 Meaning

Proverbs 6:10 portrays the sluggard's persistent rationalization for inactivity, expressing a desire for just "a little more" ease. It describes the deceptive, incremental nature of idleness, where small delays accumulate into significant time wasted, leading inevitably to dire consequences like poverty and want, as further elaborated in the subsequent verse. This verse highlights a habit of procrastination and a refusal to engage in diligent effort.

Proverbs 6 10 Context

Proverbs 6:10 is embedded within a specific segment (Proverbs 6:6-11) of "The Sayings of the Wise" (Proverbs 22:17–24:34). This section serves as a direct warning against the pitfalls of idleness, personified by the "sluggard." The verses immediately preceding (6:6-8) exhort the reader to observe the ant—a creature without external oversight, yet inherently diligent—as a model for wisdom and productive living. Verse 9 then questions the sluggard's unending sleep. Verse 10 captures the sluggard's inward excuse, "just a little more sleep," which directly sets up the inevitable consequence articulated in verse 11: sudden, unavoidable poverty. Historically, diligent labor was crucial for survival and prosperity in an agrarian society, and a failure to work directly resulted in ruin, affecting not only the individual but also their household. The polemic is against any cultural embrace of leisure over labor or rationalization of indolence.

Proverbs 6 10 Word analysis

• Yet a little / A little: The Hebrew phrase ‘ōd mᵉ‘aṭ (עוֹד מְעַט) signifies "still a little," or "just a moment more." It highlights a seemingly insignificant delay, the subtle, incremental nature of procrastination. It’s a self-deceptive justification, not a request from an external source.
• sleep: The Hebrew word šēnāh (שֵׁנָה) refers to regular, deep sleep. Here, it implies an excess of necessary rest, a love for extended slumber beyond what is beneficial or required.
• slumber: The Hebrew tᵉnûmāh (תְּנוּמָה) denotes drowsiness, dozing, or nodding off. It's a state of passive disengagement, often lighter than šēnāh but still indicating a lack of activity. This often suggests a state of indifference or spiritual dullness in biblical contexts (Ps 121:4).
• folding: The Hebrew verb qāpaṣ (קָפַץ), combined with yādayim (hands), literally means "to clasp," "to shut," or "to gather." Qippuṣ yādayim (קִפֻּץ יָדַיִם) visually describes a posture of idleness or resignation from work—crossed arms, hands behind the head, or clasped together, avoiding any productive labor.
• of the hands: yādayim (יָדַיִם) refers to the hands, the primary instruments of labor and activity. The action of folding them signifies the cessation or refusal of productive work.
• to rest / to lie down: The Hebrew infinitive liškāb (לִשְׁכָּב) literally means "to lie down." It implies taking repose, but in this context, it reinforces the sluggard's desire for complete inaction and avoidance of responsibility, an ultimate act of surrendering to idleness.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands": The threefold repetition of "a little" emphasizes the insidious, accumulating nature of idleness. It is not one grand decision but many small, seemingly insignificant concessions that lead to ruin. This repetitive phrase reveals the sluggard's internal monologue and rationalization for perpetuating their inactive state, framing procrastination as negligible or temporary. Each phrase progressively deepens the state of inactivity, from simple sleep to the intentional posture of folding hands, signifying a complete surrender to idleness rather than engaging with life's responsibilities.

Proverbs 6 10 Bonus section

The seemingly harmless desire for "just a little more" sleep or comfort often masks a deeper spiritual lethargy or a lack of foresight regarding long-term consequences. This "little" compromise is the root of many failures, both in practical life and in spiritual growth. The proverb highlights that character is formed not by grand decisions, but by these repetitive, seemingly minor choices. The sluggard's mantra effectively transforms genuine need for rest into a continuous excuse for evasion. This illustrates that inactivity is not merely the absence of work; it is an active choice with compounding negative effects. The battle against idleness is often fought on the seemingly small battlegrounds of a few extra minutes in bed or a few extra moments of passive rest.

Proverbs 6 10 Commentary

Proverbs 6:10 provides a poignant glimpse into the mindset of the sluggard, who persistently negotiates for more moments of ease. The seemingly innocent requests for "a little sleep," "a little slumber," and "a little folding of the hands" reveal a deeply ingrained pattern of avoiding effort and responsibility. This incremental giving-in to indolence is portrayed as highly deceptive, as it gradually but assuredly leads to a catastrophic loss of livelihood and security, arriving "like a robber" (Pro 6:11). The verse is a powerful warning against the habit of procrastination and the dangerous allure of passive indulgence. It teaches that the cultivation of disciplined effort, even in small measures, is paramount, for neglecting present duties for perceived comfort inevitably brings destitution. The problem is not sleep itself, but the love of excessive sleep and idleness, hindering necessary labor and productivity.