Proverbs 10:5

KJV

¶ He that gathereth in summer [is] a wise son: [but] he that sleepeth in harvest [is] a son that causeth shame.

KJV (with Strong's)

He that gathereth {H103} in summer {H7019} is a wise {H7919} son {H1121}: but he that sleepeth {H7290} in harvest {H7105} is a son {H1121} that causeth shame {H954}.

Complete Jewish Bible

A sensible person gathers in summer, but he who sleeps during harvest is an embarrassment.

Berean Standard Bible

He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.

American Standard Version

He that gathereth in summer is a wise son; Buthe that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 10:5 is a concise yet profound proverb that highlights the stark contrast between diligence and idleness, particularly in the context of seizing opportune moments. It presents a clear cause-and-effect relationship: the wise individual acts proactively and industriously during seasons of opportunity, ensuring provision and honor, while the lazy or negligent person squanders critical times, leading to scarcity and disgrace. This agricultural metaphor extends beyond literal farming to encompass all areas of life where timely effort yields positive outcomes and procrastination results in negative consequences.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 10 marks a significant shift in the book, moving from the longer, thematic discourses of chapters 1-9 to a collection of individual, pithy proverbs, mostly presented as antithetical couplets. These proverbs often contrast the "wise" with the "foolish," the "righteous" with the "wicked," or diligence with laziness. Proverbs 10:5 fits perfectly within this pattern, setting up a direct comparison between two types of "sons" based on their actions during crucial agricultural seasons. The surrounding verses in chapter 10 continue to explore themes of righteous living, the power of words, the consequences of actions, and the ultimate outcomes of wisdom versus folly, often using practical, everyday scenarios to illustrate profound spiritual truths.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israel was an agrarian society where life revolved around the agricultural calendar. The "summer" (Hebrew: _qayits_) and "harvest" (Hebrew: _qatsir_) seasons were not merely periods of the year but critical windows of intense labor that determined a family's survival and prosperity. Summer was the time for gathering fruits and grains, often involving drying and storing. The harvest, typically late spring to early autumn, was the most demanding period, requiring immediate and sustained effort to collect crops before they spoiled, were stolen, or were damaged by weather. Neglecting work during these times meant certain poverty, hunger, and deep social shame, as the family's well-being was directly tied to the diligence of its members. The concept of a "son" also carries significant weight, as sons were expected to contribute to the family's livelihood and uphold its honor.
* **Key Themes:** This proverb powerfully articulates several key themes pervasive throughout the book of Proverbs. It underscores the importance of **diligence versus laziness**, a recurring motif, as seen in passages like [Proverbs 6:6-11](/proverbs/6-6 "Proverbs 6:6-11 - The Sluggard and the Ant") which admonishes the sluggard to learn from the ant. It also highlights **wisdom and foresight**, demonstrating that true wisdom is not merely intellectual knowledge but practical discernment that leads to timely and effective action. The proverb emphasizes the **consequences of action (or inaction)**, illustrating the direct link between choices made and the outcomes experienced, a foundational principle of biblical wisdom literature. Finally, it touches upon the **stewardship of time and opportunity**, presenting the "harvest" as a fleeting season that must be utilized fully, echoing the broader biblical call to make the most of every opportunity, as also taught in [Ephesians 5:16](/ephesians/5-16 "Ephesians 5:16 - Making the Best Use of Time").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **gathereth (Hebrew, _ʼâgar'_):** A primitive root meaning "to harvest" or "to gather." In the context of the proverb, it denotes active, diligent collection of resources during the appropriate season. It implies purposeful effort and timely action to secure sustenance and provision.
* **sleepeth (Hebrew, _râdam'_):** A primitive root meaning "to stun," "to stupefy (with sleep or death)." Here, it signifies more than just literal sleep; it refers to a state of profound idleness, negligence, or procrastination during a crucial period. It implies a failure to act when action is most required, leading to missed opportunities.
* **wise (Hebrew, _sâkal'_):** A primitive root meaning "to be (causatively, make or act) circumspect and hence, intelligent." This word encompasses practical skill, discernment, prudent action, and good judgment. A "wise son" is one who understands the importance of seizing opportunities and acts decisively to ensure future security and well-being.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He that gathereth in summer is a wise son:"** This clause presents the positive example. The "summer" (Hebrew: _qayits_) refers to the season for gathering and preparing crops. The act of "gathering" implies foresight, diligence, and seizing the opportune moment. Such an individual is deemed "wise" (Hebrew: _sâkal_), possessing practical wisdom that leads to productive outcomes and honor. This son understands the rhythm of life and acts in accordance with it, ensuring provision for himself and his family.
* **"but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame."** This clause presents the contrasting, negative example. The "harvest" (Hebrew: _qâtsîyr_) is the most critical time for intense labor, where the fruits of the entire year's efforts are collected. To "sleep" (Hebrew: _râdam_) during this vital period is to be utterly negligent, inactive, or procrastinating. Such idleness results in ruin, scarcity, and brings "shame" (Hebrew: _bûwsh_) upon the individual and, significantly in a communal society, upon their entire family. This shame is not merely personal embarrassment but a deep disgrace due to a failure in fundamental responsibility.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 10:5 primarily employs **Antithetical Parallelism**, a hallmark of Hebrew poetry and particularly prevalent in the book of Proverbs. This device presents two contrasting lines or ideas, where the second line expresses the opposite of the first, thereby highlighting the consequences of two different paths. Here, the diligent "wise son" is directly contrasted with the idle "son that causeth shame." The proverb also utilizes **Metaphor** and **Analogy**, drawing a direct comparison between agricultural practices and human behavior. The "summer" and "harvest" seasons serve as metaphors for opportune times in life, while "gathering" and "sleeping" represent diligence and idleness, respectively. This agricultural imagery makes the abstract concepts of wisdom and folly tangible and relatable to an agrarian audience, emphasizing the practical, real-world consequences of one's choices.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Proverbs 10:5 is a powerful testament to the biblical emphasis on diligence, responsibility, and the wise stewardship of time and resources. It reflects a theological understanding that God has ordered the world with seasons and opportunities, and human flourishing is often tied to aligning one's actions with these divine rhythms. The proverb teaches that wisdom is not merely intellectual but profoundly practical, manifesting in timely and productive labor. Conversely, idleness is not a neutral state but an active choice that leads to negative consequences, not only for the individual but also impacting the community and bringing dishonor. This principle extends beyond physical labor to spiritual and moral diligence, urging believers to be active and discerning in their walk with God.

* [Proverbs 20:4](/proverbs/20-4 "Proverbs 20:4 - The Sluggard's Consequences")
* [Ecclesiastes 3:1-8](/ecclesiastes/3-1 "Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 - A Time for Everything")
* [Matthew 25:24-30](/matthew/25-24 "Matthew 25:24-30 - The Parable of the Talents")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This proverb challenges us to examine our own lives for "harvest seasons"—those critical periods of opportunity, whether in our careers, education, relationships, or spiritual growth. Are we actively "gathering" and making the most of these moments, or are we "sleeping," allowing precious time and potential to slip away? The proverb calls us to cultivate a proactive mindset, understanding that diligence today secures a more stable and honorable tomorrow. It reminds us that our choices have consequences, not just for ourselves, but for those around us, and that a life of purposeful effort brings commendation, while idleness leads to regret and shame. We are called to be wise stewards of the time and talents God has given us, recognizing that every season presents an opportunity to sow, gather, and ultimately, bear fruit.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "harvest seasons" are currently present in my life, and how am I utilizing them?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be "sleeping" when I should be "gathering"?**
* **How does my diligence or lack thereof impact those around me and bring honor or shame to my family or community?**
* **What specific steps can I take to cultivate greater foresight and timely action in my daily responsibilities?**

### FAQ
**What does "causeth shame" mean in the context of ancient Israel?**

Answer: In ancient Israel, "causeth shame" (Hebrew: _bûwsh_) carried significant weight beyond mere personal embarrassment. It meant bringing disgrace, dishonor, or humiliation not just upon oneself but, crucially, upon one's entire family and community. In a society where family honor and communal well-being were paramount, a son who failed to contribute diligently, especially during critical harvest times, jeopardized the family's survival and reputation. This failure would lead to social stigma, economic hardship, and a profound sense of communal disappointment, reflecting poorly on the entire household and its upbringing. The shame was a public consequence of private negligence, underscoring the severe social cost of idleness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Proverbs 10:5 offers practical wisdom for earthly diligence, it finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the ultimate "wise Son" who perfectly understood and executed the will of the Father, always acting with perfect diligence and seizing every opportune moment. He declared, "[My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work](/john/4-34 "John 4:34 - Jesus' Food is Doing God's Will")", demonstrating an unwavering commitment to His divine "harvest." He continually urged His disciples to recognize the spiritual "harvest" that was ripe for gathering, saying, "[Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, then comes the harvest'? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest](/john/4-35 "John 4:35 - Fields Ripe for Harvest")". Unlike the son who "sleepeth in harvest," Jesus was tirelessly active, always about His Father's business, even to the point of His ultimate sacrifice on the cross, which was the culmination of God's redemptive plan—the greatest "gathering" of all, bringing many sons to glory. Through His diligent obedience, Jesus did not cause shame but brought ultimate honor and glory to God, securing salvation and eternal life for all who believe, thereby fulfilling the wisdom of diligent action in its most profound spiritual sense.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Proverbs 6:8

Provideth her meat in the summer, [and] gathereth her food in the harvest.

Proverbs 30:25

The ants [are] a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;

Proverbs 17:2

¶ A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.

Proverbs 19:26

¶ He that wasteth [his] father, [and] chaseth away [his] mother, [is] a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.

Proverbs 6:6

¶ Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:

Proverbs 12:4

¶ A virtuous woman [is] a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed [is] as rottenness in his bones.

Isaiah 55:6

¶ Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: