Proverbs 6:6-11 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provides her meat in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest. How long will thou sleep, O sluggard? when will thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelled, and thy want as an armed man.
‘Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep.’ This is the feeling and practice of a sluggard as well as his language.
‘So shall thy poverty come as one that travelled, and thy want as an armed man.’ This is the result of slothfulness.
‘Poverty’ – eight Hebrew words translated as “poor” and “poverty” in Proverbs: [1] Reysh, lack, need, want. Translated as “poverty” (6:11; 10:15; 13:18; 24:34; 28:19; 30:8; 31:7). [2] Ruwsh, in want of necessities of life. Translated as “poor” (10:4; 13:7, 8, 23; 14:20; 17:5; 18:23; 19:1, 7, 22; 22:2, 7; 28:3, 6, 27; 29:13). [3] Dal, impoverished; reduced to poverty. Translated as “poor” (10:15; 14:31; 19:4, 17; 21:13; 22:9, 16, 22; 28:3, 8, 11, 15; 29:7, 14). [4] Machcowr, to be in want (6:11; 21:5; 22:16). Translated as “poor” (21:17); and “poverty” (11:24). [5] ‛Aniy, wretched. Translated as “poor” (14:21; 30:14; 31:9, 20). [6] ’Ebyown, destitute; helpless. Translated as “poor” (14:31). [7] Yarash, dispossessed. Translated as “poor” (30:9); and “poverty” (20:13; 23:21). [8] Checer, poverty or want. Translated as “poverty” (28:22).
‘As one that travelled’ Slow as the steps of a traveller, or as sure as a traveller will soon spend his money and be in need.
‘As an armed man.’ Poverty will come with irresistible fury and you will not be prepared to cope with it. The Vulgate, Septuagint, and Arabic add the following verse, “But if thou will be diligent, thy harvest shall be as a fountain; and poverty shall flee far away from thee.”
Living the Word 