Proverbs 6:4

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Proverbs 6:4 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Allow no sleep to your eyes or slumber to your eyelids.

King James Version KJV

Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.

American Standard Version ASV

Give not sleep to thine eyes, Nor slumber to thine eyelids;

Bible in Basic English BBE

Give no sleep to your eyes, or rest to them;

Free Bible Version FBV

Don't delay, saying that you'll sleep on it. Don't rest until you've done it.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Giue no sleepe to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

Give not sleep to thine eyes, And slumber to thine eyelids,

World English Bible WEB

Give no sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Give not sleep to thy eyes, nor slumber to thy eyelids.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Give not sleep to thy eyes, neither let thy eyelids slumber.

Translation for Translators T4T

Do not wait until tomorrow; go immediately! Do not rest until you go and talk with him.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 6:4

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 6:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB אַל תִּתֵּ֣ן שֵׁנָ֣ה לְ/עֵינֶ֑י/ךָ וּ֝/תְנוּמָ֗ה לְ/עַפְעַפֶּֽי/ךָ

אַל ʼal H408 not Part

תִּתֵּ֣ן nâthan H5414 to give V-Qal-Juss-2ms

שֵׁנָ֣ה shênâh H8142 sleep N-fs

לְ/עֵינֶ֑י/ךָ ʻayin H5869 eye Prep | N-cd | Suff

וּ֝/תְנוּמָ֗ה tᵉnûwmâh H8572 slumber Conj | N-fs

לְ/עַפְעַפֶּֽי/ךָ ʻaphʻaph H6079 eyelid Prep | N-mp | Suff

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 6:4

אַל ʼal H408 "not" Part

Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.

Definition: 1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference) 1a) do not, let not (with a verb) 1b) let there not be (with a verb understood) 1c) not, no (with substantive) 1d) nothing (as substantive) Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)

Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: nay, neither, [phrase] never, no, nor, not, nothing (worth), rather than. See also: Genesis 13:8; Joshua 11:6; 1 Chronicles 22:13.

תִּתֵּ֣ן nâthan H5414 "to give" V-Qal-Juss-2ms

This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.

Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon

Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.

שֵׁנָ֣ה shênâh H8142 "sleep" N-fs

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.

לְ/עֵינֶ֑י/ךָ ʻayin H5869 "eye" Prep | N-cd | Suff

This word can mean a spring or fountain, but also refers to the eye or a source of something. It is often translated as affliction, outward appearance, or countenance, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.

Definition: : eye 1) eye 1a) eye 1a1) of physical eye 1a2) as showing mental qualities 1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)

Usage: Occurs in 828 OT verses. KJV: affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). See also: Genesis 3:5; Exodus 34:9; Deuteronomy 28:67.

וּ֝/תְנוּמָ֗ה tᵉnûwmâh H8572 "slumber" Conj | N-fs

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.

לְ/עַפְעַפֶּֽי/ךָ ʻaphʻaph H6079 "eyelid" Prep | N-mp | Suff

This word can refer to an eyelid or an eyelash, and is also used figuratively to describe the morning sun's rays. It appears in descriptions of nature and beauty.

Definition: 1) eyelid 1a) eyelid 1b) of dawn, rays of sun (fig.)

Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: dawning, eye-lid. See also: Job 3:9; Proverbs 4:25; Psalms 11:4.

Study Notes — Proverbs 6:4

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Proverbs 6:4 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 6:4
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 6:4
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 6:4
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 6:4
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 6:4
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 6:4
Sermons on Proverbs 6:4

Context — Warnings against Foolishness

2if you have been trapped by the words of your lips, ensnared by the words of your mouth, 3then do this, my son, to free yourself, for you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands: Go, humble yourself, and press your plea with your neighbor.

4Allow no sleep to your eyes or slumber to your eyelids.

5Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler. 6Walk in the manner of the ant, O slacker; observe its ways and become wise.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Psalms 132:4	I will not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids,
2	Proverbs 6:10–11	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.
3	Mark 13:35–36	Therefore keep watch, because you do not know when the master of the house will return—whether in the evening, at midnight, when the rooster crows, or in the morning. Otherwise, he may arrive without notice and find you sleeping.
4	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.
5	Matthew 24:17–18	Let no one on the housetop come down to retrieve anything from his house. And let no one in the field return for his cloak.

Proverbs 6:4 Summary

Proverbs 6:4 is telling us to be diligent and proactive in addressing important issues or problems, rather than putting them off or ignoring them. This means being vigilant and responsible, like a watchman on the wall, as seen in Ezekiel 3:17, and taking action to resolve conflicts or difficulties, rather than just hoping they will go away. By being diligent and trusting in God's sovereignty, we can find peace and resolution, as promised in Philippians 4:6-7 and Isaiah 26:3. As we apply this principle to our lives, we can experience the freedom and wisdom that comes from being responsible and proactive, as seen in Proverbs 28:20 and James 1:5.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to not allow sleep to your eyes or slumber to your eyelids?

This phrase is a metaphor for being vigilant and diligent in addressing a problem or situation, as seen in Proverbs 6:4, and is similar to the concept of being watchful and prayerful in Psalm 119:148, and 1 Peter 5:8.

How does this verse apply to my life if I'm not in a situation like the one described in Proverbs 6:2-3?

While the context of Proverbs 6:2-3 is specific, the principle of being diligent and proactive in resolving conflicts or difficulties is universal, and can be applied to many areas of life, as encouraged in Proverbs 10:4-5 and 2 Thessalonians 3:10.

Is this verse telling me to never sleep or rest?

No, this verse is not meant to be taken literally, but rather as a call to prioritize and be diligent in addressing important issues, as seen in the contrast between the diligent and the sluggard in Proverbs 6:6 and Proverbs 20:4.

How can I balance the need to be diligent with the need to rest and trust in God?

This balance can be found by trusting in God's sovereignty and provision, as seen in Matthew 11:28-30 and Psalm 127:2, while also being responsible and diligent in our actions and decisions, as encouraged in Colossians 3:23-24 and 1 Corinthians 10:31.

Reflection Questions

What areas of my life require my diligent attention and action, and how can I apply the principle of Proverbs 6:4 to those situations?
In what ways can I prioritize and be proactive in addressing conflicts or difficulties, rather than putting them off or hoping they will resolve themselves?
How can I trust in God's sovereignty and provision while also being responsible and diligent in my actions and decisions, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Jeremiah 29:11?
What are some practical steps I can take to 'allow no sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids' in a particular area of my life, and how can I hold myself accountable to those steps?

Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 6:4

Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids. Until the above things are done; which denotes of what consequence and importance they are; and that persons in such circumstances should

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 6:4

Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids. Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids - before that thou hast released thyself from the obligation (cf. the phrase Psalms 132:4).

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 6:4

To wit, until thou hast taken care for the discharge of this obligation. Be not secure, nor negligent, nor dilatory in this matter.

Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 6:4

Proverbs 6:4 Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.Ver. 4. Give not sleep to thine eyes, &c.] Augustus wondered at a certain knight in Rome, that owed much, and yet could sleep securely; and when this knight died, he sent to buy his bed, as supposing there was something more than ordinary in it, to procure sleep. The opportunity of liberty and thriving is to be well husbanded, lest some storm arising from the cruelty of creditors, or mutability of outward things, overwhelm a man with debt and danger, as the whirlwind doth the unwary traveller upon the Alps with snow. Now if such care be taken that we run not rashly in debt to men, how much more to God! If to undertake for others be so dangerous, how should we pray with that godly man Augustine, From my "other men’ s sins" good Lord deliver me! If we are so to humble ourselves to our fellow creatures in this case, how much more should we "humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may lift us up in due season!" If this is to be done without delay, where the danger reacheth but to the outward man, how much more speed and earnestness should be used in making peace with God, whose wrath is a fire that burns as low as hell, and getting the black lines of our sins drawn over with the red lines of his Son’ s blood; and so utterly razed out of the book of his remembrance! Dio.

Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 6:4

Eleventh Address. Chap. 6. Proverbs 6:1-5. The Surety“From the solemn principle announced at the close of the last chapter (Proverbs 6:23) the teacher passes … to illustrate the truth by three examples, that of the Surety (Proverbs 6:1-5), that of the Sluggard (Proverbs 6:6-11), and that of the Worthless Man (Proverbs 6:12-19). And then because the horrors of impurity are the most striking and terrible instance of all, this subject coming up again at Proverbs 6:20, like the dark ground tone of the picture, finally runs into the long and detailed description of ch. 7.” Horton, ch. vii. p. 79.

Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 6:4

4, 5. Give not sleep, etc. — Meaning that he should urge the heedless debtor to fulfil his obligations before it is too late — before the creditor commences a judicial process. (Zockler.) Roe — See on Proverbs 5:19.

Sermons on Proverbs 6:4

	Sermon	Description
	Survey of the Rediscovery of Reformed Truth by Ian Murray	In this sermon, the speaker begins by reading from the book of Nehemiah, specifically chapter four. The speaker then discusses the importance of unity and prayer among believers in
	Something for Himself - Part 1 by Jerry Aman	This sermon emphasizes God's desire to have a dwelling place among His people, focusing on the tabernacle and temple as representations of Christ and the church. It highlights the
	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
	God Speaking to America - Part 1 by J.C. Hibbard	In this sermon, the preacher discusses two individuals who were raised in a Pentecostal environment but have strayed from serving God. The preacher had a dream where he saw their s
	Resisting Laziness by David Wilkerson	David Wilkerson addresses the growing trend of laziness among Christians in America, emphasizing that many desire to associate with Christ without true commitment or intimacy. He w
	The Sleeper Awakened. by Edward Payson	Edward Payson preaches on the story of Jonah, highlighting Jonah's reluctance to fulfill God's commission to go to Nineveh and the consequences of his disobedience. He draws parall
	Self Denial (Reading) by John Wesley	In this video, James Christian introduces the John Wesley Sermon series and encourages listeners to engage with classic Christian texts in audiobook form. He emphasizes the importa