Proverbs 19:24 The slacker buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth.
Proverbs 6:6-11 Walk in the manner of the ant, O slacker; observe its ways and become wise. / Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, / it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food at harvest. ...
Proverbs 24:30-34 I went past the field of a slacker and by the vineyard of a man lacking judgment. / Thorns had grown up everywhere, thistles had covered the ground, and the stone wall was broken down. / I observed and took it to heart; I looked and received instruction: ...
Ecclesiastes 10:18 Through laziness the roof caves in, and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks.
Matthew 25:26 ‘You wicked, lazy servant!’ replied his master. ‘You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed.
Hebrews 6:12 Then you will not be sluggish, but will imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 For even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.” / For we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives, accomplishing nothing, but being busybodies. / We command and urge such people by our Lord Jesus Christ to begin working quietly to earn their own living.
Proverbs 13:4 The slacker craves yet has nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied.
Proverbs 20:4 The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.
Romans 12:11 Do not let your zeal subside; keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Proverbs 10:4 Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.
Proverbs 12:24 The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.
Proverbs 21:25 The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work.
Matthew 25:24-30 Finally, the servant who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Master, I knew that you are a hard man, reaping where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. / So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what belongs to you.’ / ‘You wicked, lazy servant!’ replied his master. ‘You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed. ...
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 and to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you. / Then you will behave properly toward outsiders, without being dependent on anyone.
The slacker buries his hand in the dish; This phrase paints a vivid picture of laziness and apathy. In ancient Near Eastern culture, meals were often shared from a common dish, and eating was a communal activity. The image of a person who cannot even muster the energy to feed themselves from a shared dish highlights extreme laziness. This reflects a broader biblical theme where diligence is praised (Proverbs 10:4) and laziness is condemned (Proverbs 6:6-11). The slacker's behavior contrasts with the industriousness encouraged throughout Proverbs, emphasizing the importance of personal responsibility and effort.
it wearies him to bring it back to his mouth. This hyperbolic statement underscores the absurdity of the slacker's laziness. The act of bringing food to one's mouth is one of the simplest tasks, yet the slacker finds it exhausting. This exaggeration serves to ridicule the slacker's lack of initiative and highlights the consequences of laziness, such as poverty and unfulfilled potential (Proverbs 24:30-34). In a spiritual sense, this can be seen as a warning against spiritual complacency, where one might have access to spiritual nourishment but lacks the motivation to partake in it. This connects to the New Testament call to be active in faith and good works (James 2:17). The slacker's behavior is antithetical to the diligence and perseverance exemplified by Jesus Christ, who consistently fulfilled His mission despite challenges (John 4:34).
Persons / Places / Events
1.The Sluggard A recurring character in Proverbs, representing laziness and a lack of diligence. The sluggard is often depicted as someone who desires comfort without effort.
2.The Dish Symbolic of provision and sustenance. In ancient times, meals were communal, and the dish represents the resources available to the sluggard.
3.The Act of Eating A basic human necessity, representing the effort required to sustain oneself. The sluggard's failure to complete this simple task highlights extreme laziness.
Teaching Points
The Danger of Laziness Laziness can lead to missed opportunities and unfulfilled potential. The sluggard's inability to complete a simple task like eating serves as a metaphor for broader life responsibilities.
The Importance of Diligence Diligence is a virtue that leads to prosperity and fulfillment. Christians are called to work diligently as unto the Lord, reflecting His character in their efforts.
Self-Examination Believers should examine their own lives for areas of laziness or complacency. Identifying these areas allows for growth and alignment with God's will.
Dependence on God’s Provision While God provides for our needs, He also expects us to act responsibly with what He has given. The sluggard's failure to act on available provision is a cautionary tale.
Community and Accountability Engaging in a community of believers can provide accountability and encouragement to overcome laziness and pursue diligence.
• Proverbs repeatedly contrasts diligence with laziness—see 6:9-11; 10:4; 24:30-34.
• Here the “slacker” is one who knows what should be done but refuses the effort (James 4:17).
• The label carries moral weight: idleness rejects God-given responsibility (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12).
Buries his hand in the dish
• The scene is mealtime; food is right before him, as inProverbs 19:24, yet he only plunges his hand halfway.
• It pictures opportunity supplied by God—work, resources, abilities—ready for the taking (Deuteronomy 28:12).
• Laziness is not lack of provision but refusal to finish what’s started (Luke 9:62).
It wearies him
• Sloth drains energy instead of saving it; apathy becomes exhausting (Ecclesiastes 4:5).
• Sin always promises ease but produces bondage and fatigue (John 8:34).
• Weariness here is self-inflicted: the slacker’s own choice saps his strength (Galatians 6:7-8).
To bring it back to his mouth
• He stops inches from satisfaction—food wasted, hunger unmet (Proverbs 13:4).
• Spiritual parallel: hearing truth yet not obeying (James 1:22-24); intentions without action provide no nourishment.
• God calls for follow-through: “Whatever you do, do it heartily, as for the Lord” (Colossians 3:23).
summary
Proverbs 26:15 paints a vivid, almost humorous picture to expose the folly of laziness. A slacker has every resource at hand but lacks the will to complete even the simplest task, forfeiting the blessing that diligent effort would secure. Scripture urges believers to reject such indolence, embrace responsible action, and honor the Lord through persevering work.
Verse 15. - Very nearly identical withProverbs 19:24. It forms a climax to the two preceding verses. Wordsworth takes "the dish" as a type of sensual pleasure, which the slothful loves, while he has no liking for active work.
The sluggard עָצֵ֣ל(‘ā·ṣêl) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 6102:Sluggish, lazy
buries טָ֘מַ֤ן(ṭā·man) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 2934:To hide, conceal
his hand יָ֭דוֹ(yā·ḏōw) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 3027:A hand
in the dish; בַּצַּלָּ֑חַת(baṣ·ṣal·lā·ḥaṯ) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 6747:Something advanced, deep, a bowl, the bosom
he is too lazy נִ֝לְאָ֗ה(nil·’āh) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3811:To tire, to be, disgusted
to bring it back לַֽהֲשִׁיבָ֥הּ(la·hă·šî·ḇāh) Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | third person feminine singular Strong's 7725:To turn back, in, to retreat, again
to אֶל־(’el-) Preposition Strong's 413:Near, with, among, to
his mouth. פִּֽיו׃(pîw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 6310:The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to
