Proverbs 6:6-8 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 6:6-11

Sloth and diligence In this land and in this age, in England in the nineteenth century, there is little room for the sluggard; there is comparatively little temptation to sluggishness; the force of a rushing stream carries all along with it at a rapid pace. Nevertheless, it is true— I. THAT SOME MEN FIND THEMSELVES UNDER SPECIAL TEMPTATION TO SLOTH . This may be a matter of II. THAT IT IS TO BE REGARDED AS UNWORTHY OF CHRISTIAN MANHOOD . ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 6:7

Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler. This statement is substantially correct, for though the most recent observations made by modern naturalists have discovered various classes of ants occupying the same ant hill, yet there appears to be a total want of that gradation and subordination in ant life which is noticeable among bees. The three terms used here, katsa, shoter, moshel, all refer to government, and correspond respectively with the modern, Arabic terms, kadi, wall, and emir... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 6:8

Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. It is this characteristic, combined with what has just been said, which gives point to the lesson the sluggard is to learn. The teacher, as it were, argues: If the ant, so insignificant a creature in the order of the animal kingdom, is so provident, how much more should you be—you, a man endued with superior intelligence, and with so many more resources at hand, and with greater advantages! If the ant, with none to... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 6:6-8

Proverbs 6:6-8. Go to the ant, &c. “Nor are industry and diligence requisite in this alone, but in all thy affairs; to which, therefore, if thou art slothful, I must excite thee by the example of the ants; whose orderly and unanimous diligence, in collecting and preserving food for themselves, if thou wilt observe, thou mayest be ashamed” to be indolent, “and learn hereafter to imitate their provident care.” Which having no guide, &c. “Which is the more remarkable, because they... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 6:1-19

Rashness, laziness and troublemaking (6:1-19)A person can easily get into serious difficulties by agreeing to be a financial guarantor for a friend (or a stranger), as the friend may get so far into debt that the guarantor is ruined. If the guarantor realizes that he made a rash promise, he should act quickly. He should not rest till he has gone back to his friend, told him of his true position, and withdrawn his guarantee. Only in this way will he save himself from possible disaster... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 6:8

in the summer. True of Eastern ants. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 6:6

THE WARNING AGAINST LAZINESS (THE TENTH DISCOURSE)"Go to the ant, thou sluggard;Consider her ways, and be wise:Which having no chief,Overseer, or ruler,Provideth her bread in the summer,And gathereth her food in the harvest.How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard?When wilt 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 a robber,And thy want as an armed man.""The ant is mentioned only here and in Proverbs 30:35 in... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 6:6

Proverbs 6:6. Go to the ant— Horace has made use of the same similitude: ———Thus the little ant (to human lore No mean example) forms her frugal store, Gather'd with mighty toils on every side, Nor ignorant, nor careless to provide For future want. Sat. I. lib. 1: The reader will also find in Virgil's AEn. 4: ver. 404 a fine simile taken from this industrious little creature. Concerning its natural history, Scheuchzer treats at large on the place. See also Spectacle de la Nature, tom. 1: and... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 6:6

6-8. The improvident sluggards usually want sureties. Hence, such are advised to industry by the ant's example. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Proverbs 6:1-19

10. Other dangerous temptations 6:1-19Solomon singled out a few more serious errors to avoid in addition to marital unfaithfulness. These include assuming liability for the debts of others (Proverbs 6:1-5), being lazy (Proverbs 6:6-11), being untruthful (Proverbs 6:12-15), and seven other practices that need no clarification (Proverbs 6:16-19).The advice in this section provides a good example of what prudence is. A prudent person is one who is capable of exercising sound judgment in practical... read more