Proverbs 19:24

24 ¹The sluggard buries his hand in ²the dish and will not even bring it back 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 What is desired in a man is steadfast love, and a poor man is better than a liar.

23 The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.

24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish and will not even bring it back to his mouth.

25 Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge.

26 He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother is a son who brings shame and reproach.

Cross References

• 1. 19:24 ch. 26:15; [ch. 15:19; 20:4]
• 2. 19:24 [Matt. 26:23; Mark 14:20]