Proverbs 19:24

24 He that unjustly hides his hands in his bosom, will not even them up to his mouth.

Proverbs 19:24 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 19:24

A slothful [man] hideth his hand in [his] bosom
In cold weather to keep it warm, and at other times, as unwilling to use it in labour; it is the proper posture and just attitude of a slothful man. The word for "bosom" is sometimes used for a "pot" or "platter" F21; and then the sense is, that he puts his hands under a pot over a fire to warm them; or in one removed at some distance from the fire, as Jarchi; or rather it may signify his putting his hand into a plate of food, and yet so slothful, as it follows, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again;
so sluggish, that he will rather starve than be at the pains to feed himself; he will not take his hand out of his bosom, to take food out of the dish to feed himself with; and even when his hand is in the dish, he will not take it from thence again, and lift it to his mouth; an hyperbolical expression. Gussetius F23 thinks, it may have respect to such slothful men, who are careless and negligent to their souls; who, though they have the holy Scriptures in their hands, like a vessel full of wholesome food for the soul, yet will not make use of the least mite out of them, that they may receive eternal life.


FOOTNOTES:

F21 (txlub) "in patinam", Tigurine version; "in lebete", Mercerus, Michaelis; "in patinia", Cocceius; "in paropsidem", Schultens.
F23 Ebr. Comment. p. 715.

Proverbs 19:24 In-Context

22 Mercy is a fruit to a man: and a poor man is better than a rich liar.
23 The fear of the Lord is life to a man: and he shall lodge without fear in places where knowledge is not seen.
24 He that unjustly hides his hands in his bosom, will not even them up to his mouth.
25 When a pestilent character is scourged, a simple man is made wiser: and if thou reprove a wise man, he will understand discretion.
26 He that dishonours his father, and drives away his mother, shall be disgraced and shall be exposed to reproach.

The Brenton translation of the Septuagint is in the public domain.