Mishle 18:9

9 He also that is slack in his work is brother to him that is ba’al mashchit (master of destruction).

Mishle 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 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

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

Mishle 18:9 In-Context

7 The peh (mouth) of a kesil is his undoing, and his sfatayim (lips) are the mokesh (snare) of his nefesh.

8 The devarim of a nirgan (gossip, talebearer, slanderer) are like mitlachamim (delicious tidbits), and they go down into the innermost parts of the beten (belly).

9 He also that is slack in his work is brother to him that is ba’al mashchit (master of destruction).

10 The Shem of Hashem is a strong migdal (tower), the tzaddik runneth into it, and is safe.

11 The oisher’s wealth is his strong city, and is a high chomah in his own conceit.