Proverbs 6:8
Proverbs 6:8 in Multiple Translations
it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food at harvest.
Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
Provideth her bread in the summer, And gathereth her food in the harvest.
She gets her meat in the summer, storing up food at the time of the grain-cutting.
yet they work hard during the summer getting their food, gathering what they need during the harvest.
Prepareth her meat in the sommer, and gathereth her foode in haruest.
She doth prepare in summer her bread, She hath gathered in harvest her food.
provides her bread in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest.
Provideth her provisions in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
Provideth her meat for herself in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
but they work hard all during the summer, gathering and storing food to eat during the winter.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 6:8
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 6:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
תָּכִ֣ין
בַּ/קַּ֣יִץ
לַחְמָ֑/הּ
אָגְרָ֥ה
בַ֝/קָּצִ֗יר
מַאֲכָלָֽ/הּ
תָּכִ֣ין
kûwn
H3559
to establish
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3fs
בַּ/קַּ֣יִץ
qayits
H7019
summer
Prep | N-ms
לַחְמָ֑/הּ
lechem
H3899
food
N-cs | Suff
אָגְרָ֥ה
ʼâgar
H103
to gather
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
בַ֝/קָּצִ֗יר
qâtsîyr
H7105
harvest
Prep | N-ms
מַאֲכָלָֽ/הּ
maʼăkâl
H3978
food
N-ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 6:8
תָּכִ֣ין
kûwn
H3559
"to establish"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3fs
This verb means to set something up or establish it, like setting up a tent or appointing someone to a position, as seen in Isaiah 7:14.
Definition: : prepare/direct 1) to be firm, be stable, be established 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to be set up, be established, be fixed 1a1a) to be firmly established 1a1b) to be established, be stable, be secure, be enduring 1a1c) to be fixed, be securely determined 1a2) to be directed aright, be fixed aright, be steadfast (moral sense) 1a3) to prepare, be ready 1a4) to be prepared, be arranged, be settled 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to establish, set up, accomplish, do, make firm 1b2) to fix, make ready, prepare, provide, provide for, furnish 1b3) to direct toward (moral sense) 1b4) to arrange, order 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be established, be fastened 1c2) to be prepared, be ready 1d) (Polel) 1d1) to set up, establish 1d2) to constitute, make 1d3) to fix 1d4) to direct 1e) (Pulal) to be established, be prepared 1f) (Hithpolel) to be established, be restored
Usage: Occurs in 211 OT verses. KJV: certain(-ty), confirm, direct, faithfulness, fashion, fasten, firm, be fitted, be fixed, frame, be meet, ordain, order, perfect, (make) preparation, prepare (self), provide, make provision, (be, make) ready, right, set (aright, fast, forth), be stable, (e-) stablish, stand, tarry, [idiom] very deed. See also: Genesis 41:32; Job 18:12; Psalms 5:10.
בַּ/קַּ֣יִץ
qayits
H7019
"summer"
Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for summer refers to the harvest season or the fruit of that season, and is also used to describe the dry summer months, as seen in its Aramaic equivalent.
Definition: 1) summer, summer-fruit 1a) summer 1b) summer-fruit Aramaic equivalent: qa.yit (קַ֫יִט "summer" H7007)
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: summer (fruit, house). See also: Genesis 8:22; Isaiah 28:4; Psalms 32:4.
לַחְמָ֑/הּ
lechem
H3899
"food"
N-cs | Suff
This Hebrew word refers to food, especially bread or grain. It's used throughout the Bible to describe meals, sacrifices, and daily life, highlighting the importance of food in ancient Israelite culture.
Definition: : food(eating) 1) bread, food, grain 1a) bread 1a1) bread 1a2) bread-corn 1b) food (in general)
Usage: Occurs in 277 OT verses. KJV: (shew-) bread, [idiom] eat, food, fruit, loaf, meat, victuals. See also: Genesis 3:19; 1 Samuel 20:34; Psalms 14:4.
אָגְרָ֥ה
ʼâgar
H103
"to gather"
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
The Hebrew word agar means to gather or harvest, used in various biblical contexts.
Definition: 1) to gather 1a) (Qal) to gather
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: gather. See also: Deuteronomy 28:39; Proverbs 6:8; Proverbs 10:5.
בַ֝/קָּצִ֗יר
qâtsîyr
H7105
"harvest"
Prep | N-ms
This word refers to the harvest or the time of harvest, as well as the reaper or the crop itself. It can also mean a limb or foliage of a tree, emphasizing the idea of growth and abundance. The concept of harvest is central to the biblical narrative, particularly in the book of Ruth.
Definition: 1) harvest, harvesting 1a) process of harvesting 1b) crop, what is harvested or reaped 1c) time of harvest
Usage: Occurs in 49 OT verses. KJV: bough, branch, harvest (man). See also: Genesis 8:22; Job 18:16; Psalms 80:12.
מַאֲכָלָֽ/הּ
maʼăkâl
H3978
"food"
N-ms | Suff
This word means food or something to eat, like fruit or meat, as seen in the story of Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit in Genesis. It's about nourishment and survival.
Definition: food, fruit, meat
Usage: Occurs in 29 OT verses. KJV: food, fruit, (bake-)meat(-s), victual. See also: Genesis 2:9; Job 33:20; Psalms 44:12.
Study Notes — Proverbs 6:8
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 6:8 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 6:8
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 6:8
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 6:8
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 6:8
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 6:8
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 6:8
- Sermons on Proverbs 6:8
Context — Warnings against Foolishness
6Walk in the manner of the ant, O slacker; observe its ways and become wise.
7Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler,
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,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 10:5 | He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son. |
| 2 | 1 Timothy 6:19 | treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. |
| 3 | Proverbs 30:25 | The ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer; |
Proverbs 6:8 Summary
This verse is talking about how ants work hard to prepare for the future by storing up food during the summer and harvest. It's encouraging us to be like the ants, to be diligent and prepared for what's ahead, as seen in Proverbs 10:5. Just like the ant, we can prepare for the future by working hard and being responsible with our time and resources, as taught in Proverbs 20:4 and Matthew 25:1-13. By doing so, we can trust in God's provision and care for us, as promised in Philippians 4:19 and Jeremiah 29:11.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for the ant to prepare its provisions in summer?
This means that the ant is working hard during the summer months to store up food for the future, just like we should be diligent in our work and preparation for the future, as seen in Proverbs 10:5 and Proverbs 20:4
Why does the ant gather its food at harvest?
The ant gathers its food at harvest because that is when the food is plentiful and available, and it is wise for us to take advantage of the opportunities we have to prepare for the future, just as the ant does, as taught in Proverbs 6:6-8 and Ecclesiastes 3:1-2
How can I apply the lesson of the ant to my own life?
You can apply the lesson of the ant by being diligent and hardworking in your daily tasks, and by preparing for the future, whether that means saving money, learning new skills, or serving others, as encouraged in Colossians 3:23-24 and 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12
What is the main point of Proverbs 6:8?
The main point of Proverbs 6:8 is to teach us the importance of being prepared and diligent, just like the ant, and to encourage us to work hard and prepare for the future, as seen in Proverbs 21:5 and Matthew 25:1-13
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can be more like the ant in my daily life, preparing for the future and being diligent in my work?
- How can I balance the need to work hard and prepare for the future with the need to rest and trust in God's provision, as seen in Exodus 20:8-11 and Hebrews 4:9-11?
- What are some areas of my life where I can apply the lesson of the ant, and what steps can I take to start making changes today, with the help of Psalm 90:12 and James 4:13-17?
- How can I use the example of the ant to teach others about the importance of being prepared and diligent, and what opportunities do I have to serve and encourage others in this way, as seen in Proverbs 11:25 and 2 Timothy 2:2?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 6:8
Provideth her meat in the summer,.... Against the winter, of which it is mindful, when it never comes out of its place, having in the summer time got a sufficiency laid up in cells for its use: she
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 6:8
Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. Provideth her meat in the summer, (and) gathereth her food in the harvest.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 6:8
When they come forth in great numbers, as in winter they stir not out of their holes.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 6:8
Proverbs 6:8 Provideth her meat in the summer, [and] gathereth her food in the harvest.Ver. 8. Provideth her meat in the summer.] She devours indeed much grain, made chiefly for the use of man; but deserves, saith an interpreter, for this very cause, to be fed with the finest wheat, and greatest dainties, that all men may have her always in their eye: diligent men to quicken their diligence, and sluggards to shame them for their slothfulness. And gathereth her food in harvest.] That may serve in winter. It is good for a man to keep somewhat by him, to have something in store, and not in diem vivere, to live for the day, as the fowls of heaven do. Bonus Servatius facit bonum Bouifacium, as the Dutch proverb hath it; A good saver makes a well doer. Care must be taken ne promus sit fortior condo, that our layings out be not more than our layings up. Let no man here object that of our Saviour, "Care not for tomorrow," &c. There is a care of diligence, and a care of diffidence; a care of the head, and a care of the heart; the former is needful, the latter sinflil. Quintil.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 6:8
8. The LXX. addition to this verse is interesting, both as illustrating their tendency to gloss, and also because it exhibits the bee in a favourable light, as an example of industry and wisdom, whereas, unless we regard it as latent in the use of the word as a proper name (Deborah, Judges 4:4), that character of the insect is never referred to by the O.T. writers, who were familiar with it only in its wild state, and had no opportunity of watching its habits, but only noticed its vindictiveness in attacking men (Psalms 118:12; Isaiah 7:18). Their addition is:— “Or, go to the bee, and learn what a work woman she is, And how comely she makes her work, Whose labours kings and common people gather to them, And she is desired and had in honour of all men for health; And though she be weak in strength of body, Yet through her honouring wisdom is she advanced.”
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 6:8
8. Provideth her meat — While the original is used of any kind of food, it especially denotes grain. But it is roundly asserted that no European ants feed on any kind of grain — that they are altogether carnivorous.
Sermons on Proverbs 6:8
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Are You Ready for a Relationship? by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the impact of media and video games on our perception of reality. He highlights how the constant bombardment of fantastical images and experie |
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Helping Our Father by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being a shepherd to those who are knocked down and unable to get up in life. He shares personal experiences of feeling bro |
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Pray to the Lord of the Harvest to Send Out Laborers by James Jennings by James Malachi Jennings | This sermon emphasizes the importance of praying for laborers to be sent into the harvest, focusing on Matthew 9:38 where Jesus commands His disciples to pray earnestly to the Lord |
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Invest Your Life in the Harvest, Part Two by K.P. Yohannan | In this sermon, the speaker shares a powerful story of a man who was kidnapped by radical Muslims in the deep jungle. The man's family was threatened with his life unless they paid |
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(John - Part 42): Life After Death - the Death and Raising of Lazarus by A.W. Tozer | The video is a summary of a sermon by a German theologian named von Hügel. He emphasizes that the only things that seem to move people's emotions in this world are worldly things l |
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The Dangers of Irreverence Before God by Robert Wurtz II | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of preaching the word of God with reverence and fear. He criticizes a fellow preacher for not preaching God strongly enough a |
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What Can We Take Into Eternity? by Peter Masters | This sermon emphasizes the reality that we enter and leave this world with nothing material, highlighting the importance of spiritual preparation for eternity. It contrasts the fat |