Proverbs 18:9

KJV

¶ He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.

KJV (with Strong's)

He also that is slothful {H7503} in his work {H4399} is brother {H251} to him that is a great {H1167} waster {H7843}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Whoever is lazy in doing his work is brother to the destroyer.

Berean Standard Bible

Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys.

American Standard Version

He also that is slack in his work Is brother to him that is a destroyer.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 18:9 powerfully asserts that passive idleness or negligence in one's responsibilities yields consequences as devastating as active, deliberate destruction. It highlights a profound kinship between the slothful person and the great waster, indicating that the ultimate outcome of their respective approaches—one through inaction, the other through ruinous action—is functionally identical: decay, loss, and squandered potential. This proverb serves as a stark warning against the insidious nature of sloth, revealing that a lack of diligent effort is not merely benign but actively destructive.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 18 is part of the larger collection of Solomonic proverbs (chapters 10-22), which frequently employ antithetical parallelism to contrast wisdom with folly, diligence with sloth, and righteousness with wickedness. This particular verse fits within a section that critiques various forms of foolishness and highlights the consequences of poor character and conduct. It immediately follows proverbs discussing the ruinous nature of a fool's mouth and the importance of a strong tower (God's name), setting a tone where actions and their outcomes are closely scrutinized. The proverb's concise, aphoristic nature is typical of the book, designed for memorization and practical application, emphasizing the moral equivalence between passive neglect and active destruction within the broader framework of living a wise and productive life.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, a predominantly agrarian society, diligence in work was paramount for survival and prosperity. Fields needed constant tending, livestock required care, and resources had to be managed wisely. Idleness (sloth) directly led to poverty, hunger, and the decay of one's livelihood, making one a burden on the community. The concept of "brother" (`H251`, _ʼâch_) in this context extends beyond familial ties to denote a deep affinity, shared characteristic, or common outcome. It implies that the social and economic impact of a slothful person was akin to that of someone actively destroying property or resources. The proverb reflects a cultural value system that esteemed hard work, stewardship, and personal responsibility as foundational for individual and communal well-being.
* **Key Themes:** This proverb contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Proverbs. Firstly, it underscores the **Destructive Nature of Slothfulness**, equating it with active "wasting" or "ruin," thereby elevating idleness from a mere character flaw to a profoundly damaging force. Secondly, it emphasizes **Consequences of Neglect**, teaching that inaction is never neutral; a lack of effort or care inevitably leads to loss and deterioration, mirroring the effects of intentional destruction. This theme is echoed throughout Proverbs, such as in warnings against the sluggard who does not plow in autumn and therefore begs in harvest ([Proverbs 20:4](/proverbs/20-4 "Proverbs 20:4 - The Sluggard Does Not Plow")). Thirdly, it highlights **Personal Responsibility and Stewardship**, calling individuals to be diligent and productive in managing their time, talents, and possessions, recognizing that neglect carries a heavy cost, as seen in the broader wisdom tradition that values prudent management of resources (e.g., [Proverbs 27:23-27](/proverbs/27-23 "Proverbs 27:23-27 - Care for Your Flocks")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Slothful (Hebrew, _râphâh'_):** From `H7503`, this root means "to slacken," "to cease," "to fail," or "to be weak." When applied to a person, it describes someone who is negligent, lazy, or indolent, characterized by a lack of effort, energy, or commitment. It implies a letting go or letting things deteriorate through inaction, rather than active engagement.
* **Work (Hebrew, _mᵉlâʼkâh'_):** From `H4399`, this term refers to "employment," "ministry," or "work" in a general sense, including the result of labor, or "property." It encompasses not just physical labor but any productive activity, task, or responsibility. It implies that diligence is required in all spheres of life where effort and management are needed to produce or maintain something valuable.
* **Waster (Hebrew, _shâchath'_):** From `H7843`, this root means "to decay," "to ruin," "to destroy," or "to spoil." Paired with `H1167` (_baʻal_), meaning "master" or "owner," in this context, "great waster" (or "master of destruction") refers to someone who is proficient in causing ruin or actively destroying. The proverb draws a powerful parallel between the passive neglect of the slothful and the active destruction of the waster.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He also that is slothful in his work":** This clause identifies the subject: an individual who fails to apply due diligence, effort, or care in their assigned tasks, responsibilities, or general productive activity. The emphasis is on a passive neglect or a lack of engagement that allows things to falter or decay. It speaks to a disinterest or unwillingness to exert the necessary energy to maintain or improve.
* **"is brother to him that is a great waster":** This powerful metaphorical statement draws an equivalence between the slothful person and one who actively destroys. The term "brother" signifies a shared nature, a profound kinship, or a common outcome. It means that the practical result of being slothful—allowing things to fall into disrepair, opportunities to be lost, or resources to diminish through neglect—is functionally the same as if one had actively and deliberately ruined them. The "great waster" is not just any destroyer, but one who is a "master" of destruction, highlighting the significant and far-reaching negative impact.

#### Literary Devices
The proverb employs a potent **Simile** and **Metaphor** by declaring the slothful person to be "brother to him that is a great waster." This isn't a literal familial relationship but a metaphorical one, equating the *outcome* of two seemingly different behaviors. Sloth (passive inaction) and active wasting (deliberate destruction) are presented as having the same destructive effect. This comparison serves as a form of **Hyperbole** or **Emphasis**, dramatically underscoring the severity of slothfulness. By aligning it with outright destruction, the proverb elevates idleness from a minor flaw to a major vice with significant, detrimental consequences. There is also an implicit **Contrast** between the expected diligence and the reality of sloth, highlighting the deviation from wisdom's path.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This proverb deeply resonates with biblical themes of stewardship, responsibility, and the inherent value of diligent labor. From the very beginning, humanity was given the mandate to "work and keep" the Garden ([Genesis 2:15](/genesis/2-15 "Genesis 2:15 - Man Placed in the Garden to Work It")), establishing work not as a curse, but as a divine assignment requiring active engagement and care. The proverb underscores that God values productivity and responsible management of resources, whether they be material possessions, time, talents, or even spiritual gifts. Slothfulness, therefore, is not merely inefficient; it is a failure of stewardship, a neglect of divine entrustment, and ultimately, a form of spiritual and practical decay that dishonors the Creator who works tirelessly ([John 5:17](/john/5-17 "John 5:17 - My Father is Working Until Now, and I Am Working")).

* [Proverbs 6:6](/proverbs/6-6 "Proverbs 6:6 - Go to the Ant, You Sluggard")
* [Matthew 25:26-27](/matthew/25-26 "Matthew 25:26-27 - The Parable of the Talents")
* [Romans 12:11](/romans/12-11 "Romans 12:11 - Fervent in Spirit, Serving the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 18:9 serves as a timeless and challenging mirror for self-examination, urging us to recognize that inaction can be as detrimental as malicious action. This principle extends far beyond physical labor to encompass every sphere of life: our relationships, our spiritual growth, our finances, our health, and our intellectual development. When we are "slothful" in nurturing a relationship, it withers and decays, much like a "waster" might actively undermine it. When we neglect our spiritual disciplines—prayer, Bible study, fellowship—our faith can become weak and unproductive, effectively wasting the potential for growth and impact. Financially, failing to budget or save can lead to ruin just as surely as reckless spending. The proverb compels us to move beyond a passive understanding of responsibility and embrace active diligence, understanding that every area of our lives requires intentional effort and care to flourish.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life (work, relationships, spiritual disciplines, personal health, finances) might I be exhibiting "slothfulness" rather than diligence?**
* **Can I identify instances where my inaction or neglect has led to outcomes similar to what active "wasting" would produce?**
* **What practical steps can I take this week to cultivate greater diligence and responsible stewardship in one area where I have been "slothful"?**

### FAQ
**Question?** Why does the proverb equate slothfulness with being a "waster"?

Answer: The proverb equates slothfulness with being a "waster" because, despite their different methods, both ultimately lead to the same destructive outcome. A "waster" actively destroys or squanders resources, opportunities, or potential. A "slothful" person, through inaction, neglect, or lack of effort, allows things to decay, fall into disrepair, or opportunities to be lost. The end result—loss, ruin, and unfulfilled potential—is identical. For example, a field neglected by a slothful farmer will yield no harvest, just as a field actively destroyed by a "waster" will yield no harvest. The proverb highlights that passive neglect is not neutral; it is a powerful form of destruction.

**Question?** Does this proverb apply only to physical labor?

Answer: No, while the immediate context of "work" (`H4399`, _mᵉlâʼkâh_) in an ancient agrarian society might primarily evoke physical labor, the wisdom principle is far broader. The proverb applies to any area of life where diligence, effort, and responsible stewardship are required. This includes intellectual pursuits (neglecting studies), relational responsibilities (failing to nurture relationships), financial management (ignoring budgets or savings), spiritual disciplines (neglecting prayer or Bible study), and personal health (failing to care for one's body). In all these areas, slothfulness leads to decay and loss, mirroring the effects of active destruction. The parable of the talents in [Matthew 25:14-30](/matthew/25-14 "Matthew 25:14-30 - The Parable of the Talents") powerfully illustrates this broader application, where the "slothful" servant's inaction leads to the "waste" of his entrusted talent.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 18:9 finds its ultimate fulfillment and counter-narrative in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While humanity, marred by sin, often falls into patterns of sloth and waste, Jesus perfectly embodies diligent stewardship and unwavering purpose. He was never "slothful in His work," but rather declared, "My Father is working until now, and I am working" ([John 5:17](/john/5-17 "John 5:17 - My Father is Working Until Now, and I Am Working")). From His early obedience to His earthly parents to His tireless ministry of teaching, healing, and proclaiming the Kingdom, Jesus exemplified perfect diligence in fulfilling His Father's will ([John 4:34](/john/4-34 "John 4:34 - My Food Is To Do The Will Of Him Who Sent Me")). He did not allow the "work" of salvation to decay or be wasted, but actively pursued it to its completion on the cross, becoming the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Through His perfect life and atoning death, Christ redeems us from the futility and wastefulness of our own sinful sloth, empowering us by His Spirit to be diligent in every good work, "created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" ([Ephesians 2:10](/ephesians/2-10 "Ephesians 2:10 - Created for Good Works")). He transforms us from wasters, whether active or passive, into productive stewards of His grace and Kingdom.

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 10:4

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

Hebrews 6:12

That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Proverbs 23:20

Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:

Proverbs 23:21

For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe [a man] with rags.

Proverbs 24:30

¶ I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;

Proverbs 24:34

So shall thy poverty come [as] one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.

Matthew 25:26

His lord answered and said unto him, [Thou] wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: