Proverbs 18:9

9 He who is slothful in his work Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.

Proverbs 18:9 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 18:9

He also that is slothful in his work
Remiss in it; hangs down his hands, and does not care to make use of them, but neglects his business: is brother to him that is a great waster:
a prodigal man, who spends his substance in riotous living: the sluggard and the prodigal are brethren in iniquity; for, though they take different courses, they are both sinful, and issue in the same manner; both bring to poverty and want. Or, "brother to a master that wastes" F16; a slothful servant and a wasteful master are near akin, and come into the same class and circumstances. Jarchi interprets it,

``he that separateth from the law, though a disciple of a wise man, is a brother to Satan;''
whose name is Apollyon, the waster and destroyer. A man that is slothful in spiritual things, though a professor of religion, and has a place in the house of God, is brother to him that is a waster and persecutor of it; see ( Matthew 12:30 ) .
FOOTNOTES:

F16 (tyxvm lebl) "domino devaststionis", Gejerus; "domino dissipanti", Mercerus.

Proverbs 18:9 In-Context

7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body.
9 He who is slothful in his work Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.
11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own esteem.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.