Bible Strands
Proverbs 24:34
and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The wisdom author addresses a sluggard immediately following the description of repeated rest in Proverbs 24:33.
The words — מִתְהַלֵּךְ (mit.ha.Lekh) translates literally to "going about," paired with רֵישֶׁׁךָ (rei.She./kha), meaning "your poverty."
The thread — The text's warning against idle rest runs parallel to Proverbs 10:4 and Proverbs 13:4, which contrast inactive hands with the satisfaction of diligent labor.
Why it lands — The passage demands immediate action against procrastination by stating that neglect brings sudden, unavoidable deprivation.
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
So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 10:4 Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.
- Proverbs 13:4 The slacker craves yet has nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied.