Proverbs 15:19

19 The way of slow men is as an hedge of thorns; the way of just men is without [thing of] hurting. (A lazy person's way is a hedge of thorns; but the way of the righteous is without a cause of stumbling.)

Proverbs 15:19 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 15:19

The way of the slothful [man is] as an hedge of thorns
Or, "strewed with thorns", as the Septuagint and Arabic versions; the Targum is,

``the ways of the slothful are briers and thorns.''

Either really being made so by his own conduct; who, by his slothfulness, has implicated and entangled himself in such difficulties, that he cannot extricate himself; his way is not passable, at least not very easily; it is as it were hedged up with thorns; see ( Hosea 2:6 ) ; or in his own apprehensions; who raises such difficulties about doing business, which to him seem insurmountable; at least which discourage him from attempting it, it being like breaking through thorns and briers; hence he will not plough because of the cold, nor go abroad because there is a lion in the streets, ( Proverbs 20:4 ) ( 22:13 ) ( 26:13 ) ; or the way of his duty, especially of virtue and religion, is as troublesome and disagreeable to him as breaking through a thorn hedge, or treading upon briers and thorns; to attend the duties of public worship, prayer, and hearing the word, is very irksome to him; to be present at family worship, at prayer, and hearing the Scriptures or religious discourses read, is like sitting upon thorns unto him. This, as Aben Ezra observes, is to be understood of a wicked man, as the opposition in the next clause shows; but the way of the righteous [is] made plain:
it is a castup way, as the word ^F16 signifies; a causeway, a highway, and a plain one, in which a truly righteous and good man finds no difficulty; yea, it is so plain, that men, though fools in other respects, shall not err therein, ( Isaiah 35:8 ) ; nor is it grievous and troublesome, but, on the contrary, very delightful, as the ways of Christ and wisdom are; his commandments are not grievous, his yoke is easy, and his paths pleasant; and the righteous man walks at liberty and with pleasure in them; and without offence or stumbling, as the Vulgate Latin version renders it.

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FOOTNOTES:

F16 (hllo) "aggestum", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "eleveta", Mercerus, Gejerus; "strata", Montanus.

Proverbs 15:19 In-Context

17 It is better to be called to worts with charity, than with hatred to a calf made fat. (It is better to be warmly, or cordially, called to herbs, or vegetables, than to be hatefully invited to share a fattened calf.)

18 A wrathful man raiseth chidings; he that is patient, assuageth chidings that were raised.

19 The way of slow men is as an hedge of thorns; the way of just men is without [thing of] hurting. (A lazy person's way is a hedge of thorns; but the way of the righteous is without a cause of stumbling.)

20 A wise son maketh glad his father; but a fond man despiseth his mother. (A wise son maketh his father happy; but a fool despiseth his mother.)

21 Folly is joy to a fool; but a prudent man shall (ad)dress his steps. (Foolishness bringeth joy to a fool; but a prudent person shall direct his steps.)