English Standard Version
Proverbs 19:24
24The sluggard buries his hand in the dish and will not even bring it back to his mouth.
Proverbs 19:24 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
- New International Version (NIV)A sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth!
- New King James Version (NKJV)A lazy man buries his hand in the bowl, And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Lazy people take food in their hand but don’t even lift it to their mouth.
Context of Proverbs 19:24
22What is desired in a man is steadfast love, and a poor man is better than a liar. 23The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm. The sluggard buries his hand in the dish and will not even bring it back to his mouth. 25Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge. 26He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother is a son who brings shame and reproach.
Read all of Proverbs 19Proverbs 19:24 word by word
טָ֘מַ֤ן עָצֵ֣ל יָ֭דוֹ בַּצַּלָּ֑חַת גַּם־אֶל־פִּ֝֗יהוּ לֹ֣א יְשִׁיבֶֽנָּה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 19:24
- Proverbs 19:15Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger.
- Proverbs 6:9How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep?
- Proverbs 12:27Whoever is slothful will not roast his game, but the diligent man will get precious wealth.
- Proverbs 15:19The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway.
- Proverbs 24:30I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense,
- Proverbs 26:13The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!"
- Psalms 74:11Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand? Take it from the fold of your garment and destroy them!
Commentaries on Proverbs 19:24
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 24A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom - Is too lazy to feed himself, If he dip his hand once in the dish, he is too lazy to put it in a second time. It is a strange case that a man, through his excessive slothfulness, would rather starve than put himself to the trouble to eat.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 24Hideth his hand in his bosom - Better, dippeth his hand in the dish (compare 2 Kings 21:13). The scene brought before us is that of an Eastern feast. There are no knives, or forks, or spoons. Every guest has to help himself, or be helped by the host. Compare John 13:26.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 24Verse 24 Indolence, when indulged, so grows upon people, that they have no heart to do the most needful things for themselves.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 24This proverb humorously highlights the foolishness of laziness (see also Proverbs 10:4–6, 26; 12:11, 27; 13:4; 15:19; 18:9). See the parallel passage in Proverbs 26:15.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2424. bosom--literally, a wide dish in which the hand was plunged in eating (Mt 26:23). Compare Pr 26:15, the sentiment expressed with equal irony and less exaggeration.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 19:24
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 19
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries