Bible/Proverbs/10

Proverbs 10:4

10:3 The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked. the substance: or, the wicked for their wickedness
He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

KJV

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He becomes poor who works with a lazy hand, but the hand of the diligent brings wealth.

He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

He becomes poor that deals with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent makes rich.

10:5 He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.

What does Proverbs 10:4 mean?

Proverbs 10:4 is a verse in the book of Proverbs, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include רוּשׁ (rûwsh), עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh), רְמִיָּה (rᵉmîyâh). It connects to 14 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

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He
becometh
poorרוּשׁrûwsh/roosh/H7326to be destitute
that
dealethעָשָׂהʻâsâh/aw-saw'/H6213to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
with
a
slackרְמִיָּהrᵉmîyâh/rem-ee-yaw'/H7423remissness, treachery
hand:כַּףkaph/kaf/H3709the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-tree); figuratively, power
but
the
handיָדyâd/yawd/H3027a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),
of
the
diligentחֲרוּץchărûwts/khaw-roots'/H2742properly, incised or (active) incisive; hence (as noun masculine or feminine) a trench (as dug), gold (as mined), a threshing-sledge (having sharp teeth); (figuratively) determination; also eager
maketh
rich.עָשַׁרʻâshar/aw-shar'/H6238properly, to accumulate; chiefly (specifically) to grow (causatively, make) rich

Commentary on Proverbs 10:4

HENRY_FULL · Proverbs 10:4
hat dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich. We are here told, 1. Who those are who, though rich, are in a fair way to become poor —those who deal with a slack hand, who are careless and remiss in their business, and never mind which end goes foremost, nor ever set their hands vigorously to their work or stick to it; those who deal with a deceitful hand (so it may be read); those who think to enrich themselves by fraud and tricking will, in the end, impoverish themselves, not only by bringing the curse of God on what they have, but by forfeiting their reputation with men; none will care to deal with those who deal with sleight of hand and are honest only with good looking to. 2. Who those are who, though poor, are in a fair way to become rich—those who are diligent and honest, who are careful about their affairs, and, what their hands find to do, do it with all their might, in a fair and honourable way, those are likely to increase what they have. The hand of the acute (so some), of those who are sharp, but not sharpers; the hand of the active (so others); the stirring hand gets a penny. This is true in the affairs of our souls as well as in our worldly affairs; slothfulness and hypocrisy lead to spiritual poverty, but those who are fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, are likely to be rich in faith and rich in good works. 5 He that gathereth in s

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Deuteronomy 4:7

For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for?

Deuteronomy 4:8

And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?

Deuteronomy 4:34

Or hath God assayed to go and take him a nation from the midst of another nation, by temptations, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by a stretched out arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?

1 Chronicles 29:10

Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.

2 Chronicles 2:5

And the house which I build is great: for great is our God above all gods.

2 Chronicles 2:6

But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who am I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before him? is able: Heb. hath retained, or, obtained strength

Proverbs 4:1

Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.

Daniel 3:29

Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort. I make: Cald. a decree is made by me any: Cald. error cut: Cald. made pieces

Daniel 4:1

Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.

Daniel 4:2

I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me. I thought: Cald. It was seemly before me

Acts 17:23

For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. devotions: or, gods that ye worship

Romans 2:17

Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,

Romans 3:1

What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?

Romans 3:2

Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

Topics

IdlenessIndustrySlothfulness

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Proverbs 10:4.

Genesis 16:6

But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face. as: Heb. that which is good in thine eyes dealt: Heb. afflicted her

Genesis 8:9

But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him into the ark, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth: then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark. pulled: Heb. caused her to come

Proverbs 12:24

The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute. slothful: or, deceitful

Proverbs 12:27

The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.

Proverbs 13:7

There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.

Frequently asked questions

What does Proverbs 10:4 say?

Proverbs 10:4 (King James Version) reads: "He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich."

Is Proverbs 10:4 in the Old or New Testament?

Proverbs 10:4 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Proverbs.

Reflect

As you read Proverbs 10:4, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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