Proverbs 6:9 kjv
How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
Proverbs 6:9 nkjv
How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep?
Proverbs 6:9 niv
How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?
Proverbs 6:9 esv
How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep?
Proverbs 6:9 nlt
But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep?
When will you wake up?
Proverbs 6 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 6:10-11 | "Yet a little sleep, a little slumber... so shall thy poverty come..." | Immediate consequence of continued sloth. |
| Prov 10:4 | "He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich." | Contrast between laziness and diligence outcomes. |
| Prov 12:24 | "The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute." | Authority of diligence vs. subjugation of sloth. |
| Prov 13:4 | "The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat." | Unfulfilled desires of the lazy. |
| Prov 15:19 | "The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain." | Difficulty due to laziness vs. ease with diligence. |
| Prov 19:15 | "Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger." | Deepening idleness leads to destitution. |
| Prov 20:4 | "The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing." | Procrastination leads to lack and shame. |
| Prov 21:25 | "The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labor." | Self-destructive nature of idleness. |
| Prov 22:13 | "The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets." | Ridiculous excuses for avoiding work. |
| Prov 24:30-34 | "I went by the field of the slothful... thorns had covered the face thereof..." | Visual illustration of a sluggard's neglect and poverty. |
| Prov 26:13-16 | "The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason." | Extended descriptions of a sluggard's absurd reasoning. |
| Rom 13:11 | "And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep..." | Spiritual urgency to awake from slumber. |
| Eph 5:14 | "Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light." | Call for spiritual awakening and new life in Christ. |
| 1 Cor 15:34 | "Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God..." | Wake up to godly living and avoid sin. |
| Joel 1:5 | "Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine..." | Call to sober awareness and repentance. |
| Col 3:23 | "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;" | Diligence and excellence in all tasks for God's glory. |
| 2 Thes 3:10 | "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat." | Direct consequence of refusing to work. |
| Rom 12:11 | "Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;" | Exhortation to diligence in both natural and spiritual endeavors. |
| Tit 3:14 | "And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful." | Practice good deeds to be productive. |
| Heb 6:12 | "That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises." | Avoid laziness to attain spiritual inheritance. |
| 1 Thes 5:6 | "Therefore let us not sleep, as others do; but let us watch and be sober." | Call to spiritual vigilance rather than spiritual slumber. |
| Php 2:12 | "...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." | Active engagement in spiritual growth. |
Proverbs 6 verses
Proverbs 6 9 Meaning
Proverbs 6:9 is a sharp, rhetorical question posed to the sluggard, emphasizing the foolishness and peril of excessive idleness. It is a direct and urgent call to awaken from slumber, both physical and metaphorical, and to embrace diligence and timely action. The verse confronts the lazy individual with the evident absurdity of their prolonged inactivity, challenging them to confront their condition and make a fundamental change. It serves as an immediate, piercing rebuke that prepares the reader for the dire consequences of sloth described in the verses that follow.
Proverbs 6 9 Context
Proverbs chapter 6:9 is part of a larger admonition (Proverbs 6:6-11) addressing the folly of slothfulness. This specific section immediately follows the commendation of the ant (Proverbs 6:6-8), which serves as an example of self-driven diligence, foresight, and independence from external supervision. The wise teacher uses the diligent ant as a stark contrast to the sluggard, setting the stage for the rhetorical questions in verse 9. The verses subsequent to verse 9 (Proverbs 6:10-11) then reveal the inevitable, severe consequences of persistent laziness—poverty and destitution that arrive like an armed bandit. Historically, within ancient Israel, diligence was paramount for survival and prosperity in an agrarian society, and sloth led directly to hardship for individuals and families. This wisdom reflects practical life principles alongside moral instruction, valuing hard work and responsibility.
Proverbs 6 9 Word analysis
- How long (עַד־מָתַי -
ʻad-mātay): A rhetorical expression signifying impatience, exasperation, and bewilderment at a persistent state or behavior. It implies that the duration of inactivity has already exceeded all reasonable bounds. - wilt thou sleep (תִּשְׁכָּב -
tishkāv): From the verb shākhav, meaning "to lie down" or "to sleep." While literally referring to physical slumber, in the context of wisdom literature, it extends metaphorically to mean a state of idleness, inactivity, spiritual complacency, or a lack of productive effort. - O sluggard (עָצֵל -
ʻāṣēl): The primary noun for "lazy, idle, slothful person." This term specifically targets someone characterized by habitual indolence. It is a descriptor, often used as an appellation, indicating the core problem of the addressed individual. This figure is contrasted throughout Proverbs with the diligent and industrious. - when wilt thou arise (מָתַי תָּקוּם -
mātay tāqum): From the verb qūm, meaning "to rise up," "to stand," "to take action." This phrase directly contrasts with "sleep" and signifies an active waking, a commencement of productive activity, and taking initiative. The repetition of "when" with "how long" reinforces the rhetorical urgency. - out of thy sleep (מִשְּׁנָתֶךָ -
miššēnātekā): Literally "from your sleep," further emphasizes the departure from a state of repose into one of activity. This also encompasses leaving behind the metaphorical "sleep" of unproductive behavior, inaction, and apathy.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard?": This phrase opens with a double rhetorical question, driving home the absurdity and frustration caused by persistent idleness. The address "O sluggard" is a pointed, direct label identifying the recipient by their characteristic fault, setting the tone for the rebuke. The implied meaning is that this prolonged sleep is both unwise and destructive.
- "when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?": This second rhetorical question, a parallelism to the first, escalates the call to action. It is not just about stopping sleep but about arising and initiating a new, active state. It directly challenges the sluggard's chosen state of inactivity, urging a radical shift towards productivity and responsibility. The contrast between sleeping and arising is stark and fundamental to the message.
Proverbs 6 9 Bonus section
The "sleep" referred to in this verse extends beyond mere physical slumber; it embodies a spiritual and moral lassitude. Spiritually, "sleep" can signify spiritual apathy, ignorance, unconcern for righteous living, or a failure to perceive God's timing and call to action. The command to "arise" (קוּם - qūm) is used extensively in the Old Testament not only for physical rising but also for active preparation, initiating a journey, engaging in battle, or beginning a significant undertaking. This broader meaning suggests a profound shift from passivity to active engagement, embracing God-given responsibilities and pursuing wisdom's path with intentionality and diligence. The warning against "sleep" is a foundational principle within biblical wisdom, crucial for personal responsibility, community well-being, and faithfulness to God's purpose.
Proverbs 6 9 Commentary
Proverbs 6:9 delivers a sharp, dual-pronged rhetorical question designed to jolt the complacent sluggard into awareness and action. By asking "How long?" and "When?" concerning sleep and rising, the proverb highlights the prolonged and therefore foolish nature of their idleness. It directly challenges the sluggard's current unproductive state by implicitly presenting diligence as the expected norm for wise living. The verse functions as a diagnostic query, probing the depths of the sluggard's lethargy and the extent of their detachment from productive living. It's an invitation to introspection, prompting the individual to recognize their detrimental behavior before the inevitable consequences, outlined in subsequent verses, bring hardship. This short verse distills the Bible's consistent emphasis on hard work, discipline, and seizing opportunities, both for earthly well-being and spiritual vitality.
Examples:
- A student perpetually delaying studying before an exam.
- Someone with a significant calling or task repeatedly putting off preparation or beginning the work.
- A Christian who knows they should share their faith or serve, but continuously procrastinates.