Bible Strands
Proverbs 19:24
The slacker buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The author of Proverbs addresses a general audience, positioning this saying between a declaration on the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 19:23) and instructions for correcting mockers and the discerning (Proverbs 19:25). It functions as a standalone warning within a collected body of wisdom instructions.
The words — The Hebrew עָצֵל ('a.Tzel) means "a sluggard," and the verb טָ֘מַ֤ן (ta.Man) literally means "he hides" or "buries." These terms describe a person who conceals his hand in a dish rather than using it to eat.
The thread — The sluggard figure appears in Proverbs 6:9, where he is urged to rise from sleep, and in Proverbs 26:13, where he invents excuses like a lion in the road. Proverbs 15:19 contrasts his obstructed path with the clear highway of the upright.
Why it lands — The text describes a person who buries his hand in a dish and refuses to bring it to his mouth. It asks the reader to abandon delay and recognize that inaction actively prevents basic sustenance and progress.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 15:19 The way of the slacker is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.
- Proverbs 6:9 How long will you lie there, O slacker? When will you get up from your sleep?
- Proverbs 26:13 The slacker says, “A lion is in the road! A fierce lion roams the public square!”
- Proverbs 24:30 I went past the field of a slacker and by the vineyard of a man lacking judgment.
- Proverbs 12:27 A lazy man does not roast his game, but a diligent man prizes his possession.
- Proverbs 19:15 Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger.
- Mark 14:20 He answered, “It is one of the Twelve—the one who is dipping his hand into the bowl with Me.
- Psalms 74:11 Why do You withdraw Your strong right hand? Stretch it out to destroy them!
- Matthew 26:23 Jesus answered, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with Me will betray Me.