Proverbs 10:4

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ He becometh poor that dealeth [with] a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Idle hands bring poverty; diligent hands bring wealth.

Berean Standard Bible:

Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.

American Standard Version:

He becometh poor that worketh with a slack hand; But the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

He becometh poor^{H7326} that dealeth^{H6213} with a slack^{H7423} hand^{H3709}: but the hand^{H3027} of the diligent^{H2742} maketh rich^{H6238}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Proverbs 10:4

Proverbs 10:4 is part of the biblical wisdom literature, specifically found in the Book of Proverbs, which is a collection of sayings and instructions for living wisely. This book is traditionally attributed to King Solomon, known for his wisdom, and is thought to have been written around the 10th century BCE. The verse reflects the themes of diligence, laziness, and their respective consequences, which are common in the Proverbs.

The verse contrasts two types of individuals: one who is lazy or careless ("he becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand") and another who is diligent ("the hand of the diligent maketh rich"). The historical context suggests that these proverbs were used to teach the youth or to guide the people in moral and practical living. The emphasis here is on the virtue of hard work and the perils of idleness.

In simple terms, Proverbs 10:4 succinctly states that a person who is lazy or does not apply themselves to their work will likely become poor, while a person who works hard and is diligent will likely become wealthy. This verse encapsulates the idea that one's actions, particularly in the realm of work ethic, have direct consequences on one's economic status. It serves as a moral exhortation to be industrious and to avoid slothfulness, promising that diligence leads to prosperity. This principle has been a cornerstone of moral and practical instruction across various cultures and eras, emphasizing personal responsibility and the value of effort.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H7326
   There are 24 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רוּשׁ
   Transliteration: rûwsh
   Pronunciation: roosh
   Description: a primitive root; to be destitute; lack, needy, (make self) poor (man).
   
2. Strong's Number: H6213
   There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָשָׂה
   Transliteration: ʻâsâh
   Pronunciation: aw-saw'
   Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use.
   
3. Strong's Number: H7423
   There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רְמִיָּה
   Transliteration: rᵉmîyâh
   Pronunciation: rem-ee-yaw'
   Description: from רָמָה; remissness, treachery; deceit(-ful, -fully), false, guile, idle, slack, slothful.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3709
   There are 180 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כַּף
   Transliteration: kaph
   Pronunciation: kaf
   Description: from כָּפַף; the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-tree); figuratively, power; branch, [phrase] foot, hand((-ful), -dle, (-led)), hollow, middle, palm, paw, power, sole, spoon.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3027
   There are 1447 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָד
   Transliteration: yâd
   Pronunciation: yawd
   Description: a primitive word; in distinction from כַּף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote (as follows); a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),; ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves.
   
6. Strong's Number: H2742
   There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חֲרוּץ
   Transliteration: chărûwts
   Pronunciation: khaw-roots'
   Description: or חָרֻץ; passive participle of חָרַץ; properly, incised or (active) incisive; hence (as noun masculine or feminine) a trench (as dug), gold (as mined), a threshing-sledge (having sharp teeth); (figuratively) determination; also eager; decision, diligent, (fine) gold, pointed things, sharp, threshing instrument, wall.
   
7. Strong's Number: H6238
   There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָשַׁר
   Transliteration: ʻâshar
   Pronunciation: aw-shar'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to accumulate; chiefly (specifically) to grow (causatively, make) rich; be(-come, en-, make, make self, wax) rich, make (1 Kings 22:48 marg). See עָשָׂר.