Proverbs 6:6 kjv
Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
Proverbs 6:6 nkjv
Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise,
Proverbs 6:6 niv
Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!
Proverbs 6:6 esv
Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.
Proverbs 6:6 nlt
Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones.
Learn from their ways and become wise!
Proverbs 6 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 41:48-49 | "...Joseph stored up grain in great abundance..." | Foresight and preparation for future needs. |
| Exod 20:9 | "Six days you shall labor and do all your work..." | Commandment for diligent work. |
| Job 12:7-8 | "But ask the animals, and they will teach you; the birds... will tell you;" | Learning wisdom from creation. |
| Prov 1:7 | "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge..." | Wisdom's source. |
| Prov 2:6 | "For the Lord gives wisdom..." | God is the source of true wisdom. |
| Prov 10:4 | "Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth." | Contrast of diligence vs. laziness in wealth. |
| Prov 12:11 | "Those who work their land will have abundant food..." | Reward of labor and diligence. |
| Prov 12:24 | "Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor." | Leadership/freedom linked to diligence. |
| Prov 13:4 | "A sluggard’s craving will get him nowhere, but the diligent gain satisfaction." | Effort leading to desire fulfillment. |
| Prov 15:19 | "The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns..." | Laziness creating self-made obstacles. |
| Prov 19:15 | "Laziness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger." | Hunger and sleep associated with idleness. |
| Prov 20:4 | "Sluggards do not plow in autumn; then in harvest time they look for it..." | Lack of preparation leading to lack in season. |
| Prov 21:5 | "The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty." | Thoughtful effort leads to prosperity. |
| Prov 24:30-34 | "I went past the field of a sluggard... it was covered with weeds..." | Observing consequences of sloth firsthand. |
| Prov 26:13-16 | "The sluggard says, 'There’s a lion in the road!'..." | Excuses and self-deception of the lazy. |
| Prov 30:25 | "The ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer." | Echoes the wisdom of ants from earlier chapters. |
| Eccl 9:10 | "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might..." | Command for earnest and active engagement. |
| Matt 25:26 | "...You wicked, lazy servant!" | Condemnation of the slothful in parable. |
| Rom 12:11 | "Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor..." | Applies diligence to spiritual service. |
| Eph 4:28 | "...but must work, doing something useful with their own hands..." | Work to provide for oneself and to help others. |
| 1 Thess 4:11-12 | "...make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work..." | Living honorably through self-support. |
| 2 Thess 3:10-12 | "...The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat." | Consequences for idleness; working for provision. |
| Heb 6:11-12 | "We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end..." | Call for persistence in faith and hope. |
Proverbs 6 verses
Proverbs 6 6 Meaning
Proverbs 6:6 is an admonition, urging the slothful person to observe the diligent work ethic of the ant as a model for acquiring practical wisdom and foresight. It calls for diligent effort and responsible preparation, contrasting sharply with idleness and its consequences.
Proverbs 6 6 Context
Proverbs chapter 6 forms a unit of paternal instruction, offering various warnings to the "son" about behaviors to avoid. Following the warning against assuming suretyship (Prov 6:1-5), verses 6-11 specifically address the "sluggard" (the lazy person). The overall tone is didactic, urging practical wisdom that leads to a productive and righteous life. In an agrarian society, diligence was not just a virtue but a necessity for survival and prosperity. Observing creatures like the ant, which inherently demonstrate foresight and industry, provided a tangible and accessible lesson. This reflects the ancient Near Eastern wisdom tradition of drawing lessons from nature.
Proverbs 6 6 Word analysis
Go to the ant (לֵךְ אֶל-נְמָלָה, leḵ el-nəmālāh):
- לֵךְ (leḵ): Imperative "go!" – More than physical movement; it’s a command to direct one's attention, to examine, and to learn actively. It implies taking the initiative to observe and gain understanding.
- אֶל-נְמָלָה (el-nəmālāh): "to the ant" – Refers specifically to the common ant. It is chosen for its observed characteristics, making it an everyday, humble, yet profound teacher of wisdom. This is a common motif in wisdom literature to derive ethical principles from observing creation (e.g., Job, Psalms).
you sluggard (עָצֵל, atzel):
- עָצֵל (atzel): "sluggard" or "lazy one" – A central negative archetype in Proverbs. This individual is characterized by idleness, aversion to work, and often, a love for sleep and excuses. The direct address is confrontational but designed for correction.
consider its ways (רְאֵה דְרָכֶיהָ, re'ēh dərākheyhā):
- רְאֵה (re'ēh): Imperative "see!" or "consider/look intently" – Implies careful observation, contemplation, and understanding, not just a casual glance. It's about discerning the underlying principles of its behavior.
- דְרָכֶיהָ (dərākheyhā): "its ways" or "its paths/habits" – Refers to the ant's established patterns of conduct, specifically its industry, foresight, and diligence in gathering food without external supervision or coercion.
and be wise! (וַחֲכַם, vaḥakham):
- וַחֲכַם (vaḥakham): Imperative "and become wise!" – The desired outcome. "Wisdom" (chokmah) here is practical skill, prudence, and understanding in the context of living a successful and God-honoring life. It’s the application of observed truth to one’s own conduct.
Words-group analysis:
- "Go to the ant, you sluggard": A direct, somewhat confrontational challenge. It calls the lazy individual to learn from a seemingly insignificant creature, highlighting the ant's natural virtue against the human's vice. The irony is poignant: the larger, supposedly superior being needs to learn from the smaller.
- "consider its ways and be wise!": This phrase provides the specific instruction and the ultimate goal. The wisdom isn't innate for the sluggard but is gained through intentional observation and emulation of the ant's industrious habits. It ties concrete action (observing the ant) to a moral/intellectual outcome (becoming wise).
Proverbs 6 6 Bonus section
- The ant is a prime example of God's wisdom displayed in creation, providing accessible parables for humanity (Ps 19:1, Rom 1:20).
- The emphasis is on initiative and foresight. The ant does not wait for a command or crisis; it proactively gathers. This proactive stance is crucial for a productive life, both materially and spiritually.
- The lesson is not just about avoiding poverty but cultivating virtues like responsibility, prudence, and a strong work ethic—foundations for a stable life and a healthy society.
Proverbs 6 6 Commentary
Proverbs 6:6 is a direct and forceful exhortation to overcome idleness by learning from a simple yet profound example in nature. The ant, though small and without a hierarchical leader ("no commander, no overseer or ruler"), demonstrates incredible diligence, self-motivation, and foresight. It diligently gathers and stores food during the abundant season, instinctively preparing for times of scarcity. This natural foresight and work ethic stand in stark contrast to the sluggard, who delays, makes excuses, and fails to prepare, inevitably leading to want and disgrace. The verse implies that wisdom is not merely intellectual knowledge but also practical application and discipline. It underscores that valuable lessons can be gleaned from even the least of God's creatures, reflecting a divinely ordered world where every part has its place and function, even serving as a teacher to humanity.