Proverbs 22:13

KJV

¶ The slothful [man] saith, [There is] a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.

KJV (with Strong's)

The slothful {H6102} man saith {H559}, There is a lion {H738} without {H2351}, I shall be slain {H7523} in {H8432} the streets {H7339}.

Complete Jewish Bible

A lazy man says, "There's a lion outside! I'll be killed if I go out in the street!"

Berean Standard Bible

The slacker says, “There is a lion outside! I will be slain in the streets!”

American Standard Version

The sluggard saith, There is a lion without; I shall be slain in the streets.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 22:13 vividly portrays the slothful person's ingenious method of avoiding responsibility: fabricating an exaggerated, often imaginary, obstacle to justify their inaction. This proverb critiques the tendency to invent fears and dangers as an excuse for idleness, highlighting the self-deceptive nature of laziness and its paralyzing effect on productive engagement with the world.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 22:13 is situated within a larger collection of "Sayings of the Wise" (Proverbs 22:17-24:34), which follows the "Solomonic Proverbs" (Proverbs 10:1-22:16). This section, often considered an anthology of various wisdom teachings, frequently contrasts the diligent with the slothful, the wise with the foolish, and the righteous with the wicked. The immediate preceding verses (Proverbs 22:10-12) discuss the expulsion of scorners and the blessing of pure hearts, setting a tone that values integrity and diligence. This proverb specifically functions as a sharp, illustrative critique, using a vivid image to expose the inner workings of a lazy mind, thereby reinforcing the broader wisdom theme of diligence versus idleness that permeates the entire book of [Proverbs](/proverbs/1 "The Book of Proverbs - Wisdom for Life").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israelite society, like many agrarian cultures, placed a high value on hard work, diligence, and productivity. Survival and prosperity were directly linked to one's labor in the fields, in craftsmanship, and in the household. Idleness was not merely a personal failing but a threat to the family and community's well-being. Lions were a real, though infrequent, threat in ancient Israel, symbolizing extreme danger or destructive power (cf. [1 Samuel 17:34-37](/1_samuel/17-34 "David and the Lion and Bear")). The "streets" (or broad places/gates) were the centers of public life, commerce, and justice. To avoid the streets was to avoid public duty, social interaction, and economic activity. The proverb thus taps into a culturally understood fear of a dangerous predator while simultaneously highlighting the absurdity of using such a rare threat as a constant excuse for avoiding the necessary and mundane activities of daily life.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme is the **nature of slothfulness** and its accompanying **excuse-making**. The proverb reveals that sloth is not merely passive inaction but an active, deceptive process of inventing reasons to avoid responsibility. It highlights the **power of imagined obstacles** over real ones, showing how fear, even if self-generated, can paralyze an individual. This contrasts sharply with the wisdom tradition's emphasis on **diligence and hard work** as paths to prosperity and honor (e.g., [Proverbs 10:4](/proverbs/10-4 "Proverbs 10:4 - Diligence Brings Wealth") and [Proverbs 12:24](/proverbs/12-24 "Proverbs 12:24 - The Hand of the Diligent Will Rule")). The proverb also subtly touches on **self-deception**, as the slothful person convinces themselves of the validity of their fabricated fears, thereby avoiding the discomfort of confronting their own laziness. This theme is echoed in other proverbs, such as [Proverbs 26:13](/proverbs/26-13 "Proverbs 26:13 - The Sluggard's Excuses"), which uses similar imagery.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **slothful (Hebrew, _ʻâtsêl'_):** Indolent, lazy, or sluggish. This term describes a person characterized by an unwillingness to exert effort or engage in productive activity. It implies a deep-seated disinclination to work, often leading to poverty and ruin.
* **saith (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** A primitive root meaning "to say," but used with great latitude, encompassing declaring, thinking, supposing, or even commanding. Here, it highlights the active verbalization of the excuse, indicating not just an internal thought but an outward declaration to justify inaction.
* **lion (Hebrew, _ʼărîy'_):** A powerful and dangerous predator, often symbolizing great threat or destructive force. In this context, it serves as a hyperbolic, often imaginary, threat conjured by the slothful person to avoid the discomfort or perceived danger of the outside world.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The slothful man saith,"**: This opening clause immediately identifies the subject—the person characterized by indolence—and highlights their active role in verbalizing their excuse. It's not just a thought, but a declaration, perhaps to themselves or others, to justify their inaction.
* **"[There is] a lion without,"**: This is the core of the slothful man's fabricated excuse. The "lion" represents a monumental, life-threatening danger, while "without" (outside) signifies the world beyond the safety of his home. This phrase reveals the imaginative and exaggerated nature of the obstacle, conjured to avoid stepping into the realm of responsibility.
* **"I shall be slain in the streets."**: This final clause expresses the ultimate, hyperbolic consequence of facing the imagined danger. "Slain" emphasizes the perceived mortal threat, while "in the streets" refers to the public sphere, the place of work, commerce, and social interaction. The slothful person believes that engaging with the world will lead to their demise, thereby justifying their retreat into idleness.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 22:13 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Hyperbole** is central, as the "lion without" and the fear of being "slain in the streets" are extreme exaggerations of typical daily challenges. This overstatement vividly illustrates the absurd lengths to which a lazy person will go to avoid work. **Imagery** is also prominent, painting a clear picture of a fearsome lion lurking just outside the door, ready to pounce. This vivid image makes the slothful man's excuse both memorable and ridiculous. Furthermore, there is a subtle **Irony** at play: the true danger to the slothful man is not the imaginary lion, but the very idleness and lack of productivity that his excuses foster, which ultimately lead to poverty and ruin (cf. [Proverbs 24:30-34](/proverbs/24-30 "Proverbs 24:30-34 - The Field of the Sluggard")). The proverb also uses **Personification** indirectly, as the "lion" is given an almost sentient, waiting presence, specifically for the slothful man.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This proverb underscores a profound theological truth: God values diligence, responsibility, and the productive use of one's time and talents. It exposes the spiritual danger of sloth, which often stems from a lack of faith in God's provision and protection, or a refusal to steward the gifts He has given. The "lion" can be seen as a metaphor for any perceived obstacle—fear of failure, discomfort, criticism, or the sheer effort required—that prevents us from fulfilling our God-given duties and callings. The wisdom tradition consistently teaches that true wisdom involves active engagement with life, overcoming challenges through God's strength, rather than retreating into self-imposed paralysis. This aligns with a biblical worldview that calls believers to be active participants in God's kingdom, not passive spectators.

* [Proverbs 6:6-11](/proverbs/6-6 "Proverbs 6:6-11 - Go to the Ant, You Sluggard")
* [Proverbs 10:4](/proverbs/10-4 "Proverbs 10:4 - Diligence Brings Wealth")
* [2 Thessalonians 3:10](/2_thessalonians/3-10 "2 Thessalonians 3:10 - If Anyone Is Unwilling to Work")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 22:13 is a timeless mirror for self-examination, challenging us to honestly assess our own excuses and motivations. In our modern lives, the "lion without" might manifest as fear of a challenging project, anxiety about public speaking, reluctance to engage in difficult conversations, or even the inertia of comfort that keeps us from pursuing personal growth or spiritual disciplines. This proverb calls us to identify where we are fabricating obstacles or exaggerating risks to avoid necessary effort or uncomfortable responsibilities. It urges us to step out in faith, trusting that God equips us for the tasks He sets before us, and that many perceived dangers are far less formidable than our imaginations make them out to be. Embracing diligence and confronting our fears, rather than succumbing to them, is a path to greater fruitfulness, personal integrity, and spiritual maturity.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "lions" (imagined fears or exaggerated obstacles) do I tend to create to avoid responsibilities or challenging tasks in my life?**
* **How does my tendency to make excuses hinder my personal growth, spiritual development, or service to others?**
* **What is one specific area where I need to move from slothful excuse-making to diligent action, trusting God's provision and strength?**

### FAQ
**What is the "lion without" in Proverbs 22:13?**

Answer: The "lion without" is a metaphorical representation of an exaggerated or entirely fabricated danger that the slothful person invents to justify their unwillingness to leave the comfort of their home or to engage in work or responsibility. While lions were real threats in ancient times, the proverb uses this image hyperbolically to highlight the absurdity and unreality of the sluggard's excuse. It signifies any perceived obstacle, fear, or discomfort that prevents a lazy individual from acting, even when the actual risk is minimal or non-existent. It's a convenient, dramatic excuse to avoid effort.

**Why is "slothfulness" such a recurring theme in Proverbs?**

Answer: Slothfulness is a recurring theme in [Proverbs](/proverbs/1 "The Book of Proverbs - Wisdom for Life") because it is fundamentally antithetical to wisdom, righteousness, and prosperity, which are core concerns of the book. Wisdom literature emphasizes diligence, hard work, and responsible stewardship as pathways to a flourishing life, both materially and spiritually. Sloth, on the other hand, leads to poverty, ruin, and a failure to fulfill one's potential or contribute to the community (e.g., [Proverbs 24:30-34](/proverbs/24-30 "Proverbs 24:30-34 - The Field of the Sluggard")). The proverbs highlight that laziness is not merely an absence of activity but an active choice that results in negative consequences, both for the individual and for society.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 22:13, though from the Old Testament wisdom tradition, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several ways. The slothful man's paralysis by an imagined lion stands in stark contrast to the active, self-sacrificial diligence of Jesus Christ. While the sluggard fears a phantom predator, Jesus willingly faced the true "roaring lion," Satan, who "prowls around, seeking someone to devour" ([1 Peter 5:8](/1_peter/5-8 "1 Peter 5:8 - Be Sober-Minded; Be Watchful")). Christ did not invent excuses to avoid His mission; instead, He resolutely set His face toward Jerusalem, knowing the suffering that awaited Him ([Luke 9:51](/luke/9-51 "Luke 9:51 - Jesus Sets His Face Toward Jerusalem")). He embraced the "streets" of human experience, entering a world full of real dangers, opposition, and ultimately, the cross, not to be slain by an imaginary foe but to offer Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for the redemption of humanity ([John 10:17-18](/john/10-17 "John 10:17-18 - Jesus Lays Down His Life")). Furthermore, Christ liberates us from the spiritual sloth that paralyzes us with fear of failure, judgment, or the demands of discipleship. Through His Spirit, He empowers believers to overcome imagined obstacles and to walk in diligent obedience, actively pursuing good works prepared for us ([Ephesians 2:10](/ephesians/2-10 "Ephesians 2:10 - Created for Good Works")), trusting in His victory over every true adversary.

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 26:13

¶ The slothful [man] saith, [There is] a lion in the way; a lion [is] in the streets.

Proverbs 26:16

¶ The sluggard [is] wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.

Proverbs 15:19

¶ The way of the slothful [man is] as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous [is] made plain.

Numbers 13:32

And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, [is] a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it [are] men of a great stature.

Numbers 13:33

And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, [which come] of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.