Proverbs 12:24

24 The hand of strong men shall have lordship; but the hand that is slow, shall serve to tributes. (The hand of the strong shall rule; but those who be lazy, shall become slaves.)

Proverbs 12:24 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 12:24

The hand of the diligent shall bear rule
"Shall become rich", so Jarchi interprets it, according to ( Proverbs 10:4 ) ; Through diligence men get riches, and through riches they arrive to power and authority over others: from apprentices and journeymen workmen they become masters of their business; diligent men become masters of families, and have servants and workmen under them; become magistrates in cities, and bear rule over their fellow citizens, and are advanced to places of power and authority in the commonwealth; see ( Proverbs 22:29 ) ; but the slothful shall be under tribute;
the "slothful" or "deceitful hand" F12, for so it may be rendered and supplied; for usually such who are slothful, and do not care for business, get their living by deceitful methods, by tricking and sharping; and such become subject to others, to them that are diligent; hence said to be "under tribute", or tributary; because those that are tributary are in subjection to those to whom they pay tribute.


FOOTNOTES:

F12 "Manus fraudulentiae", Michaelis; "dolosa", Montanus, Junius & Tremellius, Mercerus, Gejerus; "fraudulenta", Tigurine version, Vatablus.

Proverbs 12:24 In-Context

22 False lips is abomination to the Lord; but they that do faithfully, please him.
23 A fell man covereth knowing; and the heart of unwise men stirreth folly. (A clever person concealeth his knowledge; but the unwise tell out their foolishness.)
24 The hand of strong men shall have lordship; but the hand that is slow, shall serve to tributes. (The hand of the strong shall rule; but those who be lazy, shall become slaves.)
25 Mourning in the heart of a just man shall make him meek; and he shall be made glad by a good word. (Mourning in the heart of a righteous person shall make him weak; but he shall be made happy by a good, or by a kind, word.)
26 He that despiseth harm for a friend, is a just man; but the way of wicked men shall deceive them. (He who despiseth harm to a friend, is a righteous person; but the way of the wicked shall deceive them.)
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.