Proverbs 6:10

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Proverbs 6:10 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

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

King James Version KJV

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

American Standard Version ASV

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

Bible in Basic English BBE

A little sleep, a little rest, a little folding of the hands in sleep:

Free Bible Version FBV

You may say, “Please, just a little more sleep, a little longer snooze, a little more folding of the arms to rest”—

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Yet a litle sleepe, a litle slumber, a litle folding of the hands to sleepe.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

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

World English Bible WEB

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

Noah Webster Bible WBS

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

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Thou wilt sleep a little, thou wilt slumber a little, thou wilt fold thy hands a little to sleep:

Translation for Translators T4T

You sleep a for a little time; you say, “I will take just a short nap.” You lie down and fold/lay your hands across your chest and rest;

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 6:10

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Proverbs 6:10 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB מְעַ֣ט שֵׁ֭נוֹת מְעַ֣ט תְּנוּמ֑וֹת מְעַ֓ט חִבֻּ֖ק יָדַ֣יִם לִ/שְׁכָּֽב

מְעַ֣ט mᵉʻaṭ H4592 little N-ms

שֵׁ֭נוֹת shênâh H8142 sleep N-fp

מְעַ֣ט mᵉʻaṭ H4592 little N-ms

תְּנוּמ֑וֹת tᵉnûwmâh H8572 slumber N-fp

מְעַ֓ט mᵉʻaṭ H4592 little N-ms

חִבֻּ֖ק chibbuq H2264 folding N-ms

יָדַ֣יִם yâd H3027 hand N-cd

לִ/שְׁכָּֽב shâkab H7901 to lie down Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a

Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 6:10

מְעַ֣ט mᵉʻaṭ H4592 "little" N-ms

This Hebrew word means something is small or little in amount, like a few people or a short time. It appears in various Bible translations as almost, few, or small. In the Bible, it often describes something that is limited or lacking.

Definition: 1) littleness, few, a little, fewness 1a) little, small, littleness, fewness, too little, yet a little 1b) like a little, within a little, almost, just, hardly, shortly, little worth

Usage: Occurs in 92 OT verses. KJV: almost (some, very) few(-er, -est), lightly, little (while), (very) small (matter, thing), some, soon, [idiom] very. See also: Genesis 18:4; Job 15:11; Psalms 2:12.

שֵׁ֭נוֹת shênâh H8142 "sleep" N-fp

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to sleep or be asleep, like when God put Adam to sleep in Genesis 2:21. It is also used to describe a state of unconsciousness. This word is used throughout the Old Testament.

Definition: sleep Aramaic equivalent: she.nah (שְׁנָה "sleep" H8139)

Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: sleep. See also: Genesis 28:16; Proverbs 6:4; Psalms 76:6.

מְעַ֣ט mᵉʻaṭ H4592 "little" N-ms

Definition: 1) littleness, few, a little, fewness 1a) little, small, littleness, fewness, too little, yet a little 1b) like a little, within a little, almost, just, hardly, shortly, little worth

תְּנוּמ֑וֹת tᵉnûwmâh H8572 "slumber" N-fp

This word means slumber or drowsiness, describing a state of sleep or lethargy, as seen in Proverbs. It can also imply a spiritual sleep, where one is not fully awake to God's presence. It is used to caution against spiritual laziness.

Definition: slumber, slumberings, sleep

Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: slumber(-ing). See also: Job 33:15; Proverbs 6:4; Psalms 132:4.

מְעַ֓ט mᵉʻaṭ H4592 "little" N-ms

Definition: 1) littleness, few, a little, fewness 1a) little, small, littleness, fewness, too little, yet a little 1b) like a little, within a little, almost, just, hardly, shortly, little worth

חִבֻּ֖ק chibbuq H2264 "folding" N-ms

Folding your hands can mean being idle or lazy, like when someone is too lazy to work and just folds their hands instead.

Definition: 1) fold (hands), a folding (of the hands), clasping (of the hands) 1a) of laziness (fig.)

Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: fold. See also: Proverbs 6:10; Proverbs 24:33.

יָדַ֣יִם yâd H3027 "hand" N-cd

In the Bible, 'yad' refers to an open hand, symbolizing power or direction. It can also mean strength or a part of something, like a side or a share. The word is used in many contexts, including anatomy and everyday life.

Definition: : hand/arm[anatomy] 1) hand 1a) hand (of man) 1b) strength, power (fig.) 1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.) 1d) (various special, technical senses) 1d1) sign, monument 1d2) part, fractional part, share 1d3) time, repetition 1d4) axle-trees, axle 1d5) stays, support (for laver) 1d6) tenons (in tabernacle) 1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure) 1d8) wrists

Usage: Occurs in 1446 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 7:19; Leviticus 14:22.

לִ/שְׁכָּֽב shâkab H7901 "to lie down" Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a

To lie down can mean to rest, sleep, or have sexual relations, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible. It can also mean to relax or be at rest.

Definition: : lay_down/lie_with 1) to lie down 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lie, lie down, lie on 1a2) to lodge 1a3) to lie (of sexual relations) 1a4) to lie down (in death) 1a5) to rest, relax (fig) 1b) (Niphal) to be lain with (sexually) 1c) (Pual) to be lain with (sexually) 1d) (Hiphil) to make to lie down 1e) (Hophal) to be laid

Usage: Occurs in 194 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, cast down, (lover-)lay (self) (down), (make to) lie (down, down to sleep, still with), lodge, ravish, take rest, sleep, stay. See also: Genesis 19:4; 1 Kings 11:43; Psalms 3:6.

Study Notes — Proverbs 6:10

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Proverbs 6:10 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 6:10
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 6:10
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 6:10
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 6:10
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 6:10
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 6:10
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 6:10
Sermons on Proverbs 6:10

Context — Warnings against Foolishness

8it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food at harvest. 9How long will you lie there, O slacker? When will you get up from your sleep?

10A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,

11and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit. 12A worthless person, a wicked man, walks with a perverse mouth,

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Proverbs 24:33–34	A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit.
2	Proverbs 6:6	Walk in the manner of the ant, O slacker; observe its ways and become wise.
3	Proverbs 23:33–34	Your eyes will see strange things, and your mind will utter perversities. You will be like one sleeping on the high seas or lying on the top of a mast:

Proverbs 6:10 Summary

[This verse is warning us about the dangers of being lazy and not working hard. When we sleep too much, or rest too much, and don't do our work, we can end up poor and in need, as it says in Proverbs 6:11. God wants us to be responsible and work hard, like the ant in Proverbs 6:8, so we can provide for ourselves and our families, and trust in His provision as seen in Matthew 6:26.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to fold one's hands to rest in Proverbs 6:10?

Folding one's hands to rest means to be idle or lazy, refusing to work or be productive, similar to the idea presented in 2 Thessalonians 3:10 where those who do not work should not eat.

Is it wrong to take a little sleep or rest according to this verse?

While rest is necessary and God-given, as seen in Exodus 20:11, the issue in Proverbs 6:10 is the excess or laziness that leads to poverty and need, not the act of resting itself.

How does this verse relate to my daily life and work ethic?

This verse encourages diligence and hard work, warning against the dangers of laziness, which can lead to poverty and need, emphasizing the importance of being responsible and proactive like the ant in Proverbs 6:8.

What is the main warning or consequence in this verse?

The main warning is that a little sleep, a little slumber, and a little folding of the hands to rest will lead to poverty and need, as stated in Proverbs 6:11, highlighting the importance of being diligent and responsible.

Reflection Questions

What are some areas in my life where I might be tempted to be lazy or idle, and how can I overcome these tendencies?
How does my attitude towards work and rest reflect my trust in God's provision and sovereignty?
In what ways can I apply the principle of diligence and hard work in my daily life, whether in my job, studies, or personal responsibilities?
What are some consequences I have experienced or observed in others due to laziness or idleness, and how can these serve as warnings for me?

Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 6:10

[Yet] a little sleep, a little slumber,.... Or, "little sleeps, little slumbers" (s).

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 6:10

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

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 6:10

This he speaks in the person of the sluggard, refusing to arise, and requiring more sleep, that so he might express the disposition and common practice of such persons. Folding of the hands is the gesture of men composing themselves to sleep.

Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 6:10

Proverbs 6:10 [Yet] a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:Ver. 10. Yet a little sleep.] Heb., Sleeps; so, slumbers. Though he speaks in the plural, and would have much, yet all is but a little in his pretence and conceit. He asks "a little," but he will not be denied: sed finite paululum ibit tu longum. First, he must have "sleep"; having slept, he must have "slumbers," - sleep will not quickly be rubbed out of his eyes; having slumbered, he must "fold his hands." Compressis sedere manibus to sit with hands folded up, is used by the Latins in a like sense. He tumbles on his bed, "as a door on the hinges." A man must come with a lever to help him off his couch. Augustine. Liv., lib. vii.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 6:10

Verse 10. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber] This, if not the language, is the feeling of the sluggard. The ant gathers its food in summer and in harvest, and sleeps in winter when it has no work to do. If the sluggard would work in the day, and sleep at night, it would be all proper. The ant yields him a lesson of reproach.

Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 6:10

Twelfth Address. Chap. 6. Proverbs 6:6-11. The Sluggard6–11. Comp. on this Section Proverbs 24:30-34.

Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 6:10

9-11. How long wilt thou sleep — As in Proverbs 6:6-8 the instructor had sought to incite his pupil to wise forethought and providence by the example of the ant, so here he seeks to guard him against

Sermons on Proverbs 6:10

	Sermon	Description
	Desperately Needed: Men of God by Eli Brayley	Eli Brayley passionately calls the Church to awaken from spiritual slumber and heed the warnings of Solomon, emphasizing the urgent need for repentance and revival. Drawing from He
	Laziness Brings Poverty by Derek Prince	Derek Prince delves into Proverbs 6:9-11, highlighting the spiritual root cause of poverty as laziness. He emphasizes that poverty and scarcity are not just material conditions but
	Letter 119 by James Bourne	James Bourne emphasizes the importance of seeking a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ rather than just following a system of morality and opinion. He warns against the distractions
	(Biblical Family) Biblical Manhood - Part 1 by Voddie Baucham	In this sermon, the speaker addresses the topic of biblical manhood and what qualities a man must possess to reflect it. The first quality mentioned is a commitment to God-honoring
	(2006 Conference) 5.a Right Attitude to Money by Zac Poonen	This sermon emphasizes the importance of being faithful with money, avoiding extremes of poverty or excessive wealth, and recognizing that money should not rule over our lives. It
	Our Response to the Current Economic Crisis? by Alan Cairns	This sermon addresses the response of Christians to the economic meltdown happening globally. It emphasizes the importance of not panicking but instead trusting in God's promises a
	Making It Over the Last Mountain by Jim Cymbala	In this sermon, the preacher addresses the issue of laziness and its consequences. He emphasizes the importance of taking action and not procrastinating. The preacher highlights th