Proverbs 6:11

11 Then you would be poor, as if someone had robbed you. You would have little, as if someone had stolen from you.

Proverbs 6:11 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 6:11

So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth
Either swiftly and suddenly, as a traveller makes haste to get to his journey's end, and comes upon his family or friends at an unawares; or though he moves gradually, by slow paces and silent steps, yet surely: and so it signifies that poverty should come upon the sluggard very quickly, and before he was aware: and though it might come by degrees, yet it would certainly come; and thy want as an armed man;
or, "thy wants as a man of shield" ^F21: denoting many wants that should come rushing in one upon another, like a man armed with shield and buckler; appearing with great terror and force, not to be resisted. It denotes the unavoidableness of being brought into penury and want by sloth, and the terribleness of such a condition. The Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, and Arabic versions, add,

``but if thou art not slothful, thy harvest shall come as a fountain (as the inundation of a fountain, Arabic); but want shall flee as an evil racer (as an evil man, Arabic; far from thee, Vulgate Latin):''

but this is not in the Hebrew text.

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FOOTNOTES:

F21 (Nnm vyak) "tanquam vir clypei", Montanus; "vir clypeatus", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator

Proverbs 6:11 In-Context

9 You lazy people, how long will you lie there? When will you get up from your sleep?

10 You might sleep a little or take a little nap. You might even fold your hands and rest.

11 Then you would be poor, as if someone had robbed you. You would have little, as if someone had stolen from you.

12 A worthless and evil man goes around saying twisted things with his mouth.

13 He winks with his eyes. He makes signals with his feet. He motions with his fingers.