Proverbs 12:24
in Proverbs 12The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
The hand of the diligent shall bear rule; But the slothful shall be put under taskwork.
KJV
The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.
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This verse in Proverbs 12
Commentary
7 notes on this verseThe hand of the diligent shall bear rule - And why? because by his own industry he is independent; and every such person is respected wherever found.
This site's exposition
A shrewd man keeps his knowledge to himself
on Proverbs 12:23-25
“A shrewd man keeps his knowledge to himself,” while “a foolish heart proclaims its folly” for lack of the same restraint. “The hand of the diligent will rule,” but “laziness ends in forced labor”. “Anxiety weighs down the heart of a man,” and a good word cheers it again.
This site's exposition
The hand of the diligent will rule
The diligent man rules and the lazy man ends in forced labor, the lot of a subject people. Adam Clarke explains the first line: a man's own industry makes him independent and respected. Work decides who serves whom.
The record, by era
The Medieval Church1 voice
The hand of the diligent will rule, etc. The perfect not only overcome the battles of vices but also govern the chosen brethren with greater grace of virtues. But those lax in spirit, not fearing to be entangled in sins, daily pay the tribute of …
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
The hand of the diligent shall bear rule,....
The Nineteenth Century2 voices
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
proposed
slothful--(Compare Margin), so called because he fails to meet his promises. under tribute--not denoting legal taxes, but the obligation of dependence.
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — starts-lowercase
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
Under tribute - The comparison is probably suggested by the contrast between the condition of a conquered race (compare Jos 16:10; Jdg 1:30-33), and that of the freedom of their conquerors from such burdens. The proverb indicates that beyond all political divisions of this nature there lies an ethical law. The “slothful” descend inevitably to pauperism and servitude. The prominence of compulsory labor under Solomon 1Ki 9:21 gives a special significance to the illustration.
The words behind it
6 Hebrew wordsEvery Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Hebrew | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| יַד־ | yad- | [the] hand of | H3027 → | 1618 times |
| חָרוּצִ֥ים | charutzim | diligent [people] | H2742 → | 19 times |
| תִּמְשׁ֑וֹל | timshol | it will rule | H4910 → | 81 times |
| ו֝רְמִיָּ֗ה | uremiyah | and idleness | H7423 → | 15 times |
| תִּהְיֶ֥ה | tihyeh | it will become | H1961 → | 3559 times |
| לָמַֽס׃ | lamas | <into> forced labor | H4522 → |
יַד־[the] hand of
yad-H3027 →1618 times
חָרוּצִ֥יםdiligent [people]
charutzimH2742 →19 times
תִּמְשׁ֑וֹלit will rule
timsholH4910 →81 times
ו֝רְמִיָּ֗הand idleness
uremiyahH7423 →15 times
תִּהְיֶ֥הit will become
tihyehH1961 →3559 times
לָמַֽס׃<into> forced labor
lamasH4522 →
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Proverbs 22:29Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will be stationed in the presence of kings; he will not stand before obscure men.
it leads to
- 1 Kings 11:28
Now Jeroboam was a mighty man of valor. So when Solomon noticed that the young man was industrious, he put him in charge of the whole labor force of the house of Joseph.
- Matthew 25:21
His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!’
- Matthew 25:23
His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!’
- Proverbs 10:4
Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.
- Ecclesiastes 9:10
Whatever you find to do with your hands, do it with all your might, for in Sheol, where you are going, there is no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.
- 1 Kings 11:28
Through
Proverbs 10:4Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.
it leads to
- Proverbs 13:4
The slacker craves yet has nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Proverbs 19:15
Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger.
- Proverbs 20:4
The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.
- Proverbs 13:4
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies1
About Proverbs
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Bede, Commentary on Proverbs; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763) and Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible.