Proverbs 6:11

11 and poverty will come upon you like a vagabond, and want like an armed man.

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 How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep?

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

11 and poverty will come upon you like a vagabond, and want like an armed man.

12 A worthless person, a wicked man, goes about with crooked speech,

13 winks with his eyes, scrapes with his feet, points with his finger,