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Study this verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Proverbs 6:6–11. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
Solomon, in these verses, addresses himself to the sluggard who loves his ease, lives in idleness, minds no business, sticks to nothing, brings nothing to pass, and in a particular manner is careless in the business of religion. Slothfulness is as sure a way to poverty, though not so short a way, as rash suretiship. He speaks here to the sluggard,
I.By way of instruction, Pro 6:6-8.
He sends him to school, for sluggards must be schooled. He is to take him to school himself, for, if the scholar will take no pains, the master must take the more; the sluggard is not willing to come to school to him (dreaming scholars will never love wakeful teachers) and therefore he has found him out another school, as low as he can desire. Observe,
1.The master he is sent to school to: Go to the ant, to the bee, so the Septuagint. Man is taught more than the beasts of the earth, and made wiser that the fowls of heaven, and yet is so degenerated that he may learn wisdom from the meanest insects and be shamed by them. When we observe the wonderful sagacities of the inferior creatures we must not only give glory to the God of nature, who has made them thus strangely, but receive instruction to ourselves; by spiritualizing common things, we may make the things of God both easy and ready to us, and converse with them daily.
2.The application of mind that is required in order to learn of this master: Consider her ways. The sluggard is so because he does not consider; nor shall we ever learn to any purpose, either by the word or the works of God, unless we set ourselves to consider. Particularly, if we would imitate others in that which is good, we must consider their ways, diligently observe what they do, that we may do likewise, Phi 3:17.
3.The lesson that is to be learned. In general, learn wisdom, consider, and be wise; that is the thing we are to aim at in all our learning, not only to be knowing, but to be wise. In particular, learn to provide meat in summer; that is,
(1.)We must prepare for hereafter, and not mind the present time only, not eat up all, and lay up nothing, but in gathering time treasure up for a spending time. Thus provident we must be in our worldly affairs, not with an anxious care, but with a prudent foresight; lay in for winter, for straits and wants that may happen, and for old age; much more in the affairs of our souls. We must provide meat and food, that which is substantial and will stand us in stead, and which we shall most need. In the enjoyment of the means of grace provide for the want of them, in life for death, in time for eternity; in the state of probation and preparation we must provide for the state of retribution.
(2.)We must take pains, and labour in our business, yea, though we labour under inconveniences. Even in summer, when the weather is hot, the ant is busy in gathering food and laying it up, and does not indulge her ease, nor take her pleasure, as the grasshopper, that sings and sports in the summer and then perishes in the winter. The ants help one another; if one have a grain of corn too big for her to carry home, her neighbours will come in to her assistance.
(3.)We must improve opportunities, we must gather when it is to be had, as the ant does in summer and harvest, in the proper time. It is our wisdom to improve the season while that favours us, because that may be done then which cannot be done at all, or not so well done, at another time. Walk while you have the light.
4.The advantages which we have of learning this lesson above what the ant has, which will aggravate our slothfulness and neglect if we idle away our time. She has no guides, overseers, and rulers, but does it of herself, following the instinct of nature; the more shame for us who do not in like manner follow the dictates of our own reason and conscience, though besides them we have parents, masters, ministers, magistrates, to put us in mind of our duty, to check us for the neglect of it, to quicken us to it, to direct us in it, and to call us to an account about it. The greater helps we have for working out our salvation the more inexcusable shall we be if we neglect it.
II.By way of reproof, Pro 6:9-11. In these verses,
1.He expostulates with the sluggard, rebuking him and reasoning with him, calling him to his work, as a master does his servant that has over-slept himself: "How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? How long wouldst thou sleep if one would let thee alone? When wilt thou think it time to arise?" Sluggards should be roused with a How long? This is applicable, (1.) To those that are slothful in the way of work and duty, in the duties of their particular calling as men or their general calling as Christians. "How long wilt thou waste thy time, and when wilt thou be a better husband of it? How long wilt thou love thy ease, and when wilt thou learn to deny thyself, and to take pains? How long wilt thou bury thy talents, and when wilt thou begin to trade with them? How long wilt thou delay, and put off, and trifle away thy opportunities, as one regardless of hereafter; and when wilt thou stir up thyself to do what thou hast to do, which, if it be not done, will leave thee for ever undone?" (2.) To those that are secure in the way of sin and danger: "Hast thou not slept enough? Is it not far in the day? Does not thy Master call? Are not the Philistines upon thee? When then wilt thou arise?"
2.He exposes the frivolous excuses he makes for himself, and shows how ridiculous he makes himself. When he is roused he stretched himself, and begs, as for alms, for more sleep, more slumber; he is well in his warm bed, and cannot endure to think of rising, especially of rising to work. But, observe, he promises himself and his master that he will desire but a little more sleep, a little more slumber, and then he will get up and go to his business. But herein he deceives himself; the more a slothful temper is indulged the more it prevails; let him sleep awhile, and slumber awhile, and still he is in the same tune; still he asks for a little more sleep, yet a little more; he never thinks he has enough, and yet, when he is called, pretends he will come presently. Thus men's great work is left undone by being put off yet a little longer, de die in diem - from day to day; and they are cheated of all their time by being cheated of the present moments. A little more sleep proves an everlasting sleep. Sleep on now, and take your rest.
3.He gives him fair warning of the fatal consequences of his slothfulness, Pro 6:11. (1.) Poverty and want will certainly come upon those that are slothful in their business. If men neglect their affairs, they not only will not go forward, but they will go backward. He that leaves his concerns at sixes and sevens will soon see them go to wreck and ruin, and bring his noble to nine-pence. Spiritual poverty comes upon those that are slothful in the service of God; those will want oil, when they should use it, that provide it not in their vessels. (2.) "It will come silently and insensibly, will grow upon thee, and come step by step, as one that travels, but will without fail come at last." It will leave thee as naked as if thou wert stripped by a highwayman; so bishop Patrick. (3.) "It will come irresistibly, like an armed man, whom thou canst not oppose nor make thy part good against."
Historical interpretation
Four Centuries of Reception
5 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
Why should we dwell upon the amount of evil there is in idleness, when the apostle clearly prescribes that he who does not work should not eat. As daily sustenance is necessary for everyone, so labor in proportion to one’s strength is also essential.… The Lord couples sloth with wickedness, saying, “Wicked and slothful servant.” Wise Solomon, also, praises the laborer not only in the words already quoted, but also, in rebuking the sluggard, associating him by contrast with the tiniest of insects: “Go to the ant, O sluggard.” We have reason to fear, therefore, lest, perchance, on the day of judgment this fault may also be alleged against us, since he who has endowed us with the ability to work demands that our labor be proportioned to our capacity.
However, there is also in the nature of quadrupeds a prophetic speech that exhorts us to imitate, by which example we avoid laziness and do not turn away from the study of virtue due to the smallness or weakness of the body, nor are we drawn back from the magnitude of any purpose. For even the ant is small, yet it dares with its own strength to undertake greater things; nor is it compelled to work by servitude, but it prepares future supplies of food for itself by its own foresight. The Scripture urges you to imitate the industry of the ant, saying: Consider the ant, O sluggard, and imitate its ways, and be wiser than it (Proverbs, 6:6). For the ant possesses no property, and does not have someone to force it or act as its master. Yet it prepares food by storing the harvest of your labors for itself; and while you often lack, it does not. It has no closed granaries, no impenetrable protections, no inviolable storehouses. The guard watches but dares not prevent thefts: the owner sees his losses and does not seek retribution. The prey is carried through the fields in a black column, the roads sizzle with the crowd of wayfarers, and large quantities of grain that cannot be contained by a wide mouth are pushed with their shoulders. The master of the harvest observes these things and is ashamed to deny the profits of honest industry.
[Let us ponder] Solomon’s sending us to learn wisdom from the ants, urging the sluggard to profit by their example. I began to weary of my capacity and to yearn for the cells of the monastery and to desire the comfort of the solicitude of those ants in whose community all worked together and where, since nothing belonged to anyone, all possessed all things in common.
[The sluggard] has not imitated the ant. He has not gathered to himself grains while it was summer. What do I mean by “while it was summer”? While he had quietude of life, while he had this world’s prosperity, when he had leisure; when he was being called happy by all, while it was summer. He should have imitated the ant, he should have heard the Word of God, he should have gathered together grains, and he should have stored them within. But there came the trial of tribulation, there came upon him a winter of numbness, a tempest of fear, the cold of sorrow, whether it were loss, or any danger to his safety, or any bereavement of his family; or any dishonor and humiliation. In winter; the ant falls back upon that which in summer it has gathered together; and within its secret store, where no one can see, it is replenished by its summer toils. When for itself it was gathering together these stores in summer, every one saw it: when on these it feeds in winter, no one sees. What does this mean?See the ant of God. He rises day by day, he hastens to the church of God, he prays, he hears a reading, he chants a hymn, he digests that which he has heard, he thinks to himself about all this, and inside he is storing up grains gathered from the threshing floor. You who hear those very things which even now are being spoken, do just this. Go forth to the church, go back from church, hear a sermon, hear a reading, choose a book, open and read it. All these things are seen when they are done. That ant is treading his path, carrying and storing up in the sight of those who see him. But in due time there comes the winter. For whom does it not come? There happens to be loss, or bereavement. Others perchance, who know not what the ant has stored up inside to eat, pity the ant as being miserable.
Go to the ant, O sluggard! etc. Here he exhorts anyone wandering, that if he is not sufficient in teaching others, he should at least not neglect to manage his own cares, and if he cannot learn wisdom in teaching from a man, he should learn the wisdom of working from an ant.
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Summary
Proverbs 6:6 delivers a sharp, imperative call to the indolent, urging them to observe the industrious ant as a model for diligence and foresight. This concise proverb, embedded within a larger section of practical wisdom, champions proactive effort and self-discipline, presenting the humble insect as a silent, yet profound, teacher of life's essential rhythms of work and preparation. It challenges the "sluggard" to abandon their habitual idleness and embrace the virtues of thoughtful observation and timely action, ultimately leading to a life characterized by wisdom and provision rather than want.
Context
Literary Context
Proverbs 6:6 is strategically placed within a series of admonitions (Proverbs 6:1-19) that warn against various pitfalls, including foolish pledges (Proverbs 6:1-5), laziness (Proverbs 6:6-11), and malicious behavior (Proverbs 6:12-19). The immediate context, spanning Proverbs 6:6-11, forms a distinct unit specifically addressing the dangers and consequences of slothfulness. This section contrasts the self-motivated diligence of the ant with the destructive passivity of the sluggard, culminating in a stark warning about the poverty and ruin that idleness inevitably brings. The proverb's concise, imperative style is characteristic of the wisdom literature, designed for memorization and direct application, often drawing lessons from the natural world to illustrate profound spiritual and practical truths, much like other observations found throughout the book of Proverbs.
Historical & Cultural Context
Ancient Israel was primarily an agrarian society where diligent labor was essential for survival and prosperity. The rhythms of planting, harvesting, and storing were critical, making foresight and hard work not just virtues but necessities for the entire community. The concept of "sluggard" (ʻâtsêl) would have been particularly disdained in a community where collective effort and individual responsibility directly impacted the well-being of the family and tribe. Ants, common throughout the Near East, were readily observable creatures whose communal organization and tireless activity in gathering and storing food during the harvest season (a time of intense labor for humans) would have been a familiar and potent symbol of industry. The wisdom teacher's appeal to the ant was therefore not abstract but grounded in the everyday experiences and observations of the Israelite people, making the lesson immediately relatable and impactful, especially given the emphasis on diligent labor found in other ancient Near Eastern wisdom traditions as well.
Key Themes
This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Proverbs. It underscores the paramount importance of diligence and industry, contrasting it sharply with the destructive nature of laziness and procrastination. The ant serves as a living parable, embodying the virtue of foresight and planning, as it gathers its food in season, preparing for future needs without external supervision. This theme of preparation is crucial for wise living, as seen in Proverbs 21:5. Furthermore, the proverb highlights wisdom derived from creation, asserting that even seemingly insignificant creatures can teach profound lessons about life, responsibility, and the consequences of actions. This aligns with the broader biblical principle that God's wisdom and attributes are discernible through the created order, inviting humanity to observe and learn, as articulated in Romans 1:20. The implicit theme of consequences is also strong; while not explicitly stated in this verse, the contrast with the ant foreshadows the inevitable poverty and want that await the sluggard, a fate explicitly detailed in subsequent verses like Proverbs 6:10-11.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
Meaning "indolent; slothful." This term describes not merely someone who is temporarily tired but one who is habitually lazy, characterized by a settled disposition of reluctance to work or exert effort. It denotes a moral failing, a character flaw that leads to unproductive and irresponsible living, often implying a lack of self-control and foresight.
Meaning "a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action." This refers to the ant's consistent habits, behaviors, and patterns of activity. The sluggard is not just to observe the ant's existence but its consistent and effective methods of operation—its "course of life" or modus operandi, which includes its diligence, foresight, and self-sufficiency.
A primitive root meaning "to be wise (in mind, word or act)." This is the ultimate goal of the observation. It's an imperative, a command to acquire practical wisdom, to learn from the ant's example and apply those lessons to one's own life, thereby transforming one's character and actions from indolence to diligence, and from short-sightedness to foresight.
Verse Breakdown
"Go to the ant, thou sluggard;"
This opening imperative is a direct, confrontational challenge to the habitually lazy person. The command "Go" (Hebrew yâlak) implies a necessary shift in location or focus, urging the sluggard to move from their state of inaction to active observation. The specific address "thou sluggard" (Hebrew ʻâtsêl) highlights the target audience and the severity of their condition, setting the stage for the corrective instruction that follows, delivered with a tone of urgent admonition.
"consider her ways,"
This second imperative calls for deep, thoughtful engagement. "Consider" (Hebrew râʼâh) is not a superficial glance but a discerning examination, an active process of understanding the ant's habits, methods, and patterns of life. The focus is on the ant's "ways" (Hebrew derek), encompassing its diligent work ethic, its foresight in gathering provisions, and its self-motivated industry, all without external prompting or supervision.
"and be wise:"
This final imperative reveals the ultimate purpose of the observation. The goal is not merely to observe but to internalize the lessons and apply them, thereby becoming "wise" (Hebrew châkam). This wisdom is practical, leading to a transformation of character and behavior, moving from indolence to diligence, and from short-sightedness to foresight. The ant, though small, serves as a profound teacher of essential life principles, demonstrating that true wisdom often comes from humble observation and diligent application.
Literary Devices
Proverbs 6:6 employs several effective literary devices to convey its message with clarity and impact. The most prominent is Exemplum, where the ant serves as a concrete example or model for human behavior, demonstrating virtues like diligence and foresight. The ant functions as a powerful Symbol of industry, self-motivation, and wise preparation, standing in stark contrast to the "sluggard," who symbolizes idleness and folly. The verse also utilizes Direct Address ("thou sluggard"), which makes the exhortation immediate and personal, creating a sense of urgency and direct challenge to the listener. The structure itself is a concise Imperative Command, issuing direct instructions ("Go," "consider," "be wise") that leave no room for ambiguity, a hallmark of wisdom literature designed for practical application and moral instruction.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Proverbs 6:6, while seemingly a simple piece of practical advice, resonates with profound theological implications about God's design for humanity and the nature of wisdom. It implicitly teaches that diligence is not merely a practical virtue but a reflection of God's own industriousness in creation and a pathway to flourishing that aligns with His created order. The ability to learn from creation, even from the smallest creatures, underscores the biblical truth that God's wisdom is universally accessible and revealed through His handiwork, inviting humanity to observe and discern His principles in the natural world. The call to "be wise" through observation elevates diligent work from a mundane chore to a spiritual discipline, a means of cultivating character and aligning with God's design for productive and responsible living. The ant's self-motivation and foresight point to a principle of responsible stewardship, preparing for the future and avoiding the pitfalls of short-sightedness and dependence, echoing God's call for humans to wisely manage the earth.
Reflection and Application
Proverbs 6:6 serves as a timeless mirror, inviting us to honestly examine our own habits concerning diligence, foresight, and self-motivation. In a world often characterized by instant gratification and a tendency towards procrastination, the ant's consistent, unprompted industry stands as a powerful rebuke and a humble guide. This verse challenges us to cultivate an internal drive, to take initiative in our responsibilities—whether in our professional work, academic pursuits, spiritual disciplines, or the stewardship of our homes and relationships—without needing constant external supervision or prodding. It encourages us to plan for the future, to sow diligently in the present so that we might reap a harvest later, embodying a proactive approach to life rather than a reactive one. Ultimately, the call to "be wise" is a call to align our daily actions with God's design for flourishing, recognizing that consistent, humble effort, like that of the ant, is a pathway to true wisdom and a life of purpose and provision, reflecting God's own order and provision in creation.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why does the proverb choose an ant, a seemingly insignificant creature, as a teacher?
The choice of the ant (H5244, nᵉmâlâh) is deliberate and powerful precisely because of its apparent insignificance. It highlights that profound wisdom can be found in the most humble and overlooked aspects of God's creation. The ant's natural behaviors—its tireless work ethic, its communal organization, and its foresight in gathering and storing food without external supervision—are so consistently exemplary that they serve as a potent, undeniable lesson. This choice underscores the idea that God's wisdom is pervasive throughout His creation, and we are called to be humble and observant enough to learn from even the smallest of His creatures, as also suggested in Job 12:7-8. It reinforces the biblical principle that God uses the simple things of the world to shame the wise (1 Corinthians 1:27).
What are the practical implications of "consider her ways"?
To "consider her ways" (H7200, râʼâh and H1870, derek) implies more than just a casual glance. It's an imperative to engage in thoughtful, discerning observation and analysis of the ant's "course of life" or "mode of action." Practically, this means identifying the specific habits and principles that make the ant successful—such as its self-motivation, its consistent effort, its planning for future needs, and its lack of need for a supervisor or external prodding. The implication is that once these "ways" are understood, the sluggard is then to actively emulate them, applying these principles to their own life to cultivate diligence and foresight, thereby moving from a state of passive idleness to proactive, responsible living.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
While Proverbs 6:6 directly addresses practical diligence, its wisdom finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Christ is the embodiment of perfect diligence and foresight, not for earthly provision, but for eternal salvation. He consistently pursued His Father's will, declaring, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work" (John 4:34). Unlike the sluggard, Jesus was never idle; He was always about His Father's business, diligently teaching, healing, and ultimately, laying down His life as the ultimate act of obedience and foresight for the redemption of humanity (Philippians 2:8). The ant's preparation for winter foreshadows Christ's preparation for His disciples and for His church, building His kingdom and providing for His people through His finished work on the cross (Matthew 16:18). Believers, called to imitate Christ, are therefore exhorted to be diligent in their spiritual lives, "always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58). Thus, the simple call to "be wise" by observing the ant's diligence points ultimately to the supreme wisdom found in Christ, who perfectly models and empowers a life of purposeful, God-glorifying labor, culminating in our participation in His eternal kingdom.