Proverbs 6:10

10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—

Proverbs 6:10 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
English Standard Version (ESV)
10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,
New Living Translation (NLT)
10 A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—
The Message Bible (MSG)
10 A nap here, a nap there, a day off here, a day off there, sit back, take it easy - do you know what comes next?
American Standard Version (ASV)
10 [Yet] a little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep:
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
10 "Just a little sleep, just a little slumber, just a little nap."
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the arms to rest,
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
10 You might sleep a little or take a little nap. You might even fold your hands and rest.

Proverbs 6:10 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 6:10

[Yet] a little sleep, a little slumber
Or, "little sleeps, little slumbers" F19. These are the words of the sluggard, in answer to the call of him to awake and arise, desiring he might not be disturbed, but be suffered to sleep on longer: there is a very beautiful climax or gradation in the words, aptly expressing the disposition and actions of a sluggard; he first desires a "few sleeps" more, some sound sleeps one after another; which is quite agreeable to his character: and if he cannot be allowed them, then he requests a "few slumbers" at least, some dozings, till he can get himself thoroughly awake; and if these cannot be granted, yet he prays however that this might be admitted, a little folding of the hands to sleep;
or, "to lie down" F20; a few tossings and tumblings upon the bed more, with his hands folded about his breast; a sleeping gesture, and the posture of sluggards. The Septuagint and Arabic versions render it, "a little thou wilt embrace the breast with the hands"; and the Syriac version, "and a little thou wilt put thine hand upon thy breast". The Jewish commentators understand this as a direction and command to sleep and slumber but little, since a little sleep is sufficient for nature; or otherwise poverty will come but the former sense is best.


FOOTNOTES:

F19 (twmwnt jem twnv jem) "parvis somnis, parvis dormitationibus", Pagninus; "pauculis somnis, pauculis dormitationibus", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.
F20 (bkvl) "cubando", Junius & Tremellius; "cubare", Piscator; "ad cubandum", Cocceius.

Proverbs 6:10 In-Context

8 yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.
9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?
10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—
11 and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.
12 A troublemaker and a villain, who goes about with a corrupt mouth,

Cross References 1

  • 1. Proverbs 24:33; Ecclesiastes 4:5
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