Proverbs 24:33

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

Yet a little {H4592} sleep {H8142}, a little {H4592} slumber {H8572}, a little {H4592} folding {H2264} of the hands {H3027} to sleep {H7901}:

"I'll just lie here a bit, rest a little longer, just fold my hands for a little more sleep"-

A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,

Yeta little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep;

Commentary

Context

Proverbs 24:33 is part of a larger proverb (verses 30-34) that vividly illustrates the destructive path of idleness and slothfulness. The preceding verses (Proverbs 24:30-31) paint a picture of a neglected field belonging to a lazy person, overgrown with thorns and weeds, its stone wall broken down. This verse, Proverbs 24:33, represents either the sluggard's persistent excuse for inaction or the habitual pattern of their life: always seeking just a little more rest rather than engaging in necessary work. It serves as a direct lead-in to the inevitable consequences detailed in Proverbs 24:34.

Meaning and Key Themes

  • The Insidiousness of Procrastination: The repetition of "a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands" highlights the subtle, incremental nature of laziness. It's not a grand refusal to work, but a series of small, seemingly insignificant delays that accumulate into significant neglect. This pattern of putting off tasks is a common human struggle.
  • Idleness and Inaction: The phrase "folding of the hands" is a classic biblical idiom for inactivity and a reluctance to engage in productive labor. It signifies a state of passive disengagement from responsibility.
  • Consequences of Slothfulness: This verse serves as a crucial bridge, linking the habitual actions of the sluggard to the dire outcomes. The "little" acts of laziness lead to the severe "poverty" and "want" described immediately after, emphasizing that small compromises in diligence can have large, negative repercussions. This theme is echoed throughout the book of Proverbs, such as in Proverbs 6:10-11.

Linguistic Insight

The Hebrew words used here reinforce the meaning. Sheynah (שֵׁנָה) for "sleep" and tenumah (תְּנוּמָה) for "slumber" refer to different states of rest or drowsiness. The phrase "folding of the hands" (חִבּוּק יָדַיִם, chibbuk yadayim) vividly portrays the posture of someone who is idle, refusing to work. The repeated use of me'at (מְעַט), meaning "a little," underscores how easily these small, seemingly harmless indulgences can become a destructive habit, leading to significant neglect and ruin.

Practical Application

Proverbs 24:33 offers a timeless warning against the dangers of procrastination and habitual idleness. It encourages believers to:

  • Beware of Small Excuses: Recognize that significant problems often stem from a series of minor delays or a persistent desire for "just a little more" comfort or rest, whether in daily chores, financial planning, or spiritual disciplines.
  • Cultivate Diligence: The proverb implicitly calls for diligence and prompt action. Addressing responsibilities promptly prevents them from accumulating into overwhelming burdens. This principle applies to all areas of life, from managing personal finances to nurturing spiritual growth and serving others.
  • Understand the Cost of Inaction: The verse reminds us that inaction is not neutral; it carries a heavy cost. Neglecting duties, even for seemingly small periods, can lead to significant setbacks, as highlighted by the swift arrival of poverty in the subsequent verse. The Bible consistently champions diligence as a path to prosperity and blessing.
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Cross-References

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:6 (7 votes)

    ¶ Therefore let us not sleep, as [do] others; but let us watch and be sober.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:8 (7 votes)

    But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

  • Proverbs 6:4 (7 votes)

    Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.

  • Proverbs 6:11 (7 votes)

    So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.

  • Romans 13:11 (5 votes)

    ¶ And that, knowing the time, that now [it is] high time to awake out of sleep: for now [is] our salvation nearer than when we believed.

  • Ephesians 5:14 (3 votes)

    Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.