Proverbs 26:14

KJV

¶ [As] the door turneth upon his hinges, so [doth] the slothful upon his bed.

KJV (with Strong's)

As the door {H1817} turneth {H5437} upon his hinges {H6735}, so doth the slothful {H6102} upon his bed {H4296}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The door turns on its hinges, and the lazy man on his bed.

Berean Standard Bible

As a door turns on its hinges, so the slacker turns on his bed.

American Standard Version

Asthe door turneth upon its hinges, So doth the sluggard upon his bed.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 26:14 employs a striking simile to vividly portray the unproductive and stagnant nature of the slothful person. Just as a door is confined to its frame, perpetually swinging back and forth on its hinges without ever moving forward or changing its location, so too does the lazy individual remain in a state of perpetual inaction, turning over on their bed without rising to engage with the responsibilities and opportunities of the day. This proverb masterfully highlights the futility of motion without progress, emphasizing the deep-seated inertia that characterizes idleness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 26:14 is situated within a collection of Solomonic proverbs (chapters 25-29) that were compiled and transcribed by the "men of Hezekiah," king of Judah, as noted in [Proverbs 25:1](/proverbs/25-1 "Proverbs 25:1 - The Men of Hezekiah"). This particular chapter, Proverbs 26, is largely dedicated to contrasting the characteristics and consequences of the fool and the sluggard. The verses immediately preceding and following this one continue to expose the habits and outcomes of the lazy, often using vivid, observational comparisons to underscore their folly and unproductivity. The chapter's structure builds a cumulative picture of the sluggard's self-deception and the detrimental effects of their inaction on their life and potential.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Proverbs reflects the wisdom tradition of ancient Israel, a society where diligence, hard work, and responsible stewardship were highly valued for the sustenance of families, communities, and the nation. Agricultural and pastoral life, along with craftsmanship, demanded consistent effort. Idleness was not merely a personal failing but a threat to household prosperity and communal well-being. The "bed" (Hebrew: *miṭṭâh*) was a common piece of furniture, and the image of someone remaining in it long after dawn would have immediately conveyed a picture of shirking duties. Doors, typically made of wood and turning on simple pivot hinges, were essential for security and privacy, and their constant, repetitive motion without true advancement provided a universally understood metaphor for unproductive activity.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes found throughout the Book of Proverbs. The most prominent is the **Futility of Inaction**, illustrating that mere activity (like turning over in bed) without purpose or progress is meaningless and ultimately destructive. It underscores the theme of **Stagnation and Lack of Progress**, as the sluggard, like the door, remains perpetually confined and fails to grow, develop, or contribute meaningfully to their life or the lives of others. This concept is echoed in passages like [Proverbs 6:9-11](/proverbs/6-9 "Proverbs 6:9-11 - The Sluggard's Poverty") which warns of the poverty that overtakes the idle. Furthermore, the proverb subtly highlights the theme of **Avoidance of Responsibility**, as the act of remaining in bed signifies a deliberate choice to shun the duties, opportunities, and challenges that the new day presents, a characteristic often contrasted with the diligence commended in verses such as [Proverbs 10:4](/proverbs/10-4 "Proverbs 10:4 - Diligence and Wealth").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Door (Hebrew, _deleth'_):** (H1817) Derived from a root meaning "to swing," this word refers to the valve of a door, a gate, or a leaf. In this context, it emphasizes the physical object that moves back and forth within a fixed frame. The choice of "door" highlights its inherent limitation: while it moves, its movement is always circumscribed, never truly advancing beyond its threshold.
* **Turneth (Hebrew, _çâbab'_):** (H5437) This primitive root means "to revolve, surround, or border." It describes a circular or repetitive motion. Applied to the door, it signifies its constant, repetitive swinging. Applied to the slothful, it vividly depicts their restless yet unproductive turning in bed, a motion that expends energy but yields no forward momentum or productive outcome.
* **Slothful (Hebrew, _ʻâtsêl'_):** (H6102) This adjective describes one who is "indolent" or "sluggish." It denotes a habitual unwillingness to exert effort, whether physical or mental. The term carries a strong negative connotation in Proverbs, consistently portraying a character marked by laziness, procrastination, and a general aversion to work and responsibility.
* **Hinges (Hebrew, _tsîyr'_):** (H6735) From a root meaning "to press in turning," this word primarily refers to a hinge. Interestingly, it can also denote a "throe" or "pain" (as a physical or mental pressure). While the primary meaning here is the pivot point for the door, the secondary nuance of "pain" or "pressure" subtly hints at the discomfort or internal struggle the sluggard experiences, perhaps the mental "throes" of avoiding responsibility or the eventual "pain" of their neglected life.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"As the door turneth upon his hinges":** This clause establishes the simile's first element, presenting a common, observable phenomenon. The door's movement is characterized by repetition and confinement; it moves, but its movement is cyclical and does not lead to any change in location or accomplishment of purpose. It is motion without progress.
* **"so doth the slothful upon his bed."**: This clause completes the simile, drawing a direct parallel between the door's unproductive motion and the sluggard's behavior. The "turning upon his bed" signifies restless but ultimately futile activity. Instead of rising to face the day's demands, the lazy person remains in a state of comfortable inaction, expending energy only in avoiding responsibility, much like the door expends energy in its repetitive swing without ever leaving its frame.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Proverbs 26:14 is a **Simile**. The comparison is explicitly drawn using "As... so..." to liken the repetitive, non-progressive movement of a door on its hinges to the restless, yet equally unproductive, turning of a slothful person on their bed. This simile is particularly effective due to its **Vivid Imagery**, creating a clear mental picture that immediately conveys the concept of motion without advancement. There is also an element of **Irony** or **Paradox** in the sluggard's "activity"; they are "moving" (turning over) but are utterly stagnant in their life and responsibilities, highlighting the deceptive nature of their idleness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The theological implications of Proverbs 26:14 extend beyond mere practical advice, touching on the biblical emphasis on stewardship, purpose, and the nature of human flourishing. God, as the ultimate worker and creator ([Genesis 1:1](/genesis/1-1 "Genesis 1:1 - God Creates Heaven and Earth")), designed humanity to be productive and to exercise dominion ([Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "Genesis 1:28 - Be Fruitful and Multiply")). Idleness, therefore, is not just a personal failing but a deviation from this divine design, leading to spiritual and material decay. The proverb underscores that true rest is a cessation from purposeful labor, not an avoidance of it. It implicitly teaches that life is meant for purpose, contribution, and growth, and that a life marked by sloth is a life that fails to realize its God-given potential, often leading to poverty and ruin, as warned in other wisdom literature.

* [Proverbs 6:6-11](/proverbs/6-6 "Proverbs 6:6-11 - Go to the Ant, You Sluggard")
* [Proverbs 24:30-34](/proverbs/24-30 "Proverbs 24:30-34 - The Field of the Sluggard")
* [Ecclesiastes 9:10](/ecclesiastes/9-10 "Ecclesiastes 9:10 - Whatever Your Hand Finds to Do")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 26:14 serves as a timeless mirror, inviting us to examine the patterns of our own lives. It challenges the insidious nature of procrastination and the deceptive comfort of inertia. In a world that often values busyness, this proverb reminds us that not all motion is progress; true advancement comes from intentional, purposeful action. It calls us to break free from the "bed" of complacency, whether it manifests as physical laziness, mental procrastination, or spiritual apathy. We are encouraged to embrace diligence in our work, our relationships, and our spiritual disciplines, recognizing that a life lived in passive avoidance of responsibility ultimately leads to stagnation and unfulfilled potential. This verse is a powerful call to rise, engage, and steward the time, talents, and opportunities God has given us with purpose and intentionality.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I demonstrating "motion without progress," similar to the door on its hinges?**
* **What specific responsibilities or opportunities am I currently avoiding by "turning over on my bed"?**
* **How does my daily routine reflect a commitment to diligence rather than sloth, and what changes might be needed?**
* **What are the long-term consequences of idleness, both for myself and for those around me, as suggested by this proverb?**

### FAQ
**What is the main message of Proverbs 26:14?**

Answer: The main message of Proverbs 26:14 is that the slothful person, like a door on its hinges, expends energy in repetitive, unproductive motion (turning over in bed) without ever achieving true progress or engaging with their responsibilities. It highlights the futility and stagnation that result from idleness and procrastination. The proverb serves as a stark warning against the dangers of habitual laziness.

**How does this proverb relate to other biblical teachings on work and diligence?**

Answer: Proverbs 26:14 aligns perfectly with the broader biblical emphasis on diligence, hard work, and responsible stewardship. The Bible consistently commends those who are industrious and warns against the consequences of laziness. For example, [Proverbs 6:6-11](/proverbs/6-6 "Proverbs 6:6-11 - Go to the Ant") urges the sluggard to learn from the ant, and [2 Thessalonians 3:10](/2_thessalonians/3-10 "2 Thessalonians 3:10 - If Anyone Will Not Work") famously states, "If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat." The Bible views work as a dignified and necessary part of human existence, designed by God, and idleness as a path to poverty and ruin, both material and spiritual.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Proverbs 26:14 directly addresses the practical wisdom of diligence versus sloth, its deeper Christ-centered fulfillment lies in the contrast between the unproductivity of human idleness and the purposeful, active obedience of Jesus Christ. The sluggard is characterized by a life of perpetual avoidance and stagnation, never truly advancing in purpose or contributing meaningfully. In stark contrast, Jesus's life was a perfect embodiment of divine diligence and purposeful action. He declared, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work" ([John 4:34](/john/4-34 "John 4:34 - Jesus' Food is to Do God's Will")). Unlike the door that turns uselessly on its hinges, Christ was constantly moving forward in His mission, fulfilling every prophecy and perfectly executing the Father's will, culminating in His ultimate sacrifice on the cross ([John 19:30](/john/19-30 "John 19:30 - It is Finished")). His life was not about turning over in comfort but about actively seeking and saving the lost ([Luke 19:10](/luke/19-10 "Luke 19:10 - The Son of Man Came to Seek and Save the Lost")) and establishing God's kingdom. Through Christ, believers are called out of the "bed" of spiritual sloth and into a life of active faith, empowered by the Holy Spirit to bear fruit ([John 15:5](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - Abide in Me and Bear Much Fruit")) and participate in God's redemptive purposes, reflecting His diligence in their own lives.

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

Hebrews 6:12

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

Proverbs 12:24

¶ The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.

Proverbs 12:27

¶ The slothful [man] roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man [is] precious.

Proverbs 24:33

[Yet] a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:

Proverbs 6:9

How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?

Proverbs 6:10

[Yet] a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: