Proverbs 6:7
Proverbs 6:7 in Multiple Translations
Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler,
Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
Which having no chief, Overseer, or ruler,
Having no chief, overseer, or ruler,
They don't have a leader, an officer, or a ruler,
For shee hauing no guide, gouernour, nor ruler,
Which hath not captain, overseer, and ruler,
which having no chief, overseer, or ruler,
Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
Which, although she hath no guide, nor master, nor captain,
They do not have a king or a governor or any other person who rules them and forces them to work,
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 6:7
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 6:7 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
אֵֽין
לָ֥/הּ
קָצִ֗ין
שֹׁטֵ֥ר
וּ/מֹשֵֽׁל
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
אֵֽין
ʼayin
H369
nothing
Part
לָ֥/הּ
Prep | Suff
קָצִ֗ין
qâtsîyn
H7101
chief
N-ms
שֹׁטֵ֥ר
shôṭêr
H7860
official
V-Qal
וּ/מֹשֵֽׁל
mâshal
H4910
to rule
Conj | V-Qal
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 6:7
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
אֵֽין
ʼayin
H369
"nothing"
Part
This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.
Definition: 1) nothing, not, nought n 1a) nothing, nought neg 1b) not 1c) to have not (of possession) adv 1d) without w/prep 1e) for lack of
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: else, except, fail, (father-) less, be gone, in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any, thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable), well-nigh, without. Compare H370 (אַיִן). See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 14:27; 1 Kings 15:22.
לָ֥/הּ
""
Prep | Suff
קָצִ֗ין
qâtsîyn
H7101
"chief"
N-ms
A qatsin is a leader or chief, such as a commander in war or a ruler with authority. The KJV translates this word as 'captain', 'guide', 'prince', or 'ruler', depending on the context.
Definition: 1) chief, ruler, commander 1a) chief, commander (in war) 1b) dictator 1c) ruler (of one in authority)
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: captain, guide, prince, ruler. Compare H6278 (עֵת קָצִין). See also: Joshua 10:24; Isaiah 3:6; Proverbs 6:7.
שֹׁטֵ֥ר
shôṭêr
H7860
"official"
V-Qal
This word refers to a high-ranking official or officer, often translated as 'officer', 'overseer', or 'ruler'. In the Bible, it describes a person with authority and responsibility, such as a scribe or magistrate.
Definition: (Qal) official, officer
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: officer, overseer, ruler. See also: Exodus 5:6; Deuteronomy 31:28; Proverbs 6:7.
וּ/מֹשֵֽׁל
mâshal
H4910
"to rule"
Conj | V-Qal
To rule means to have power over something or someone, like a king ruling his kingdom, as seen in 1 Samuel. It involves having control and making decisions, like a leader guiding their people. In the Bible, God rules over all things.
Definition: 1) to rule, have dominion, reign 1a) (Qal) to rule, have dominion 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to rule 1b2) to exercise dominion
Usage: Occurs in 74 OT verses. KJV: (have, make to have) dominion, governor, [idiom] indeed, reign, (bear, cause to, have) rule(-ing, -r), have power. See also: Genesis 1:18; Proverbs 16:32; Psalms 8:7.
Study Notes — Proverbs 6:7
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 6:7 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 6:7
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 6:7
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 6:7
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 6:7
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 6:7
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 6:7
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 6:7
- Sermons on Proverbs 6:7
Context — Warnings against Foolishness
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.
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?Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 38:39–12 | — |
| 2 | Proverbs 30:27 | the locusts have no king, yet they all advance in formation; |
| 3 | Job 39:26–30 | Does the hawk take flight by your understanding and spread his wings toward the south? Does the eagle soar at your command and make his nest on high? He dwells on a cliff and lodges there; his stronghold is on a rocky crag. From there he spies out food; his eyes see it from afar. His young ones feast on blood; and where the slain are, there he is.” |
| 4 | Job 41:4–34 | Will he make a covenant with you to take him as a slave for life? Can you pet him like a bird or put him on a leash for your maidens? Will traders barter for him or divide him among the merchants? Can you fill his hide with harpoons or his head with fishing spears? If you lay a hand on him, you will remember the battle and never repeat it! Surely hope of overcoming him is false. Is not the sight of him overwhelming? No one is so fierce as to rouse Leviathan. Then who is able to stand against Me? Who has given to Me that I should repay him? Everything under heaven is Mine. I cannot keep silent about his limbs, his power and graceful form. Who can strip off his outer coat? Who can approach him with a bridle? Who can open his jaws, ringed by his fearsome teeth? His rows of scales are his pride, tightly sealed together. One scale is so near to another that no air can pass between them. They are joined to one another; they clasp and cannot be separated. His snorting flashes with light, and his eyes are like the rays of dawn. Firebrands stream from his mouth; fiery sparks shoot forth! Smoke billows from his nostrils as from a boiling pot over burning reeds. His breath sets coals ablaze, and flames pour from his mouth. Strength resides in his neck, and dismay leaps before him. The folds of his flesh are tightly joined; they are firm and immovable. His chest is as hard as a rock, as hard as a lower millstone! When Leviathan rises up, the mighty are terrified; they withdraw before his thrashing. The sword that reaches him has no effect, nor does the spear or dart or arrow. He regards iron as straw and bronze as rotten wood. No arrow can make him flee; slingstones become like chaff to him. A club is regarded as straw, and he laughs at the sound of the lance. His undersides are jagged potsherds, spreading out the mud like a threshing sledge. He makes the depths seethe like a cauldron; he makes the sea like a jar of ointment. He leaves a glistening wake behind him; one would think the deep had white hair! Nothing on earth is his equal— a creature devoid of fear! He looks down on all the haughty; he is king over all the proud.” |
Proverbs 6:7 Summary
[This verse is saying that even though ants don't have a boss or leader, they still work together and get things done. This can teach us about the importance of teamwork and cooperation, as seen in 1 Corinthians 12:12-14. Just like the ants, we can achieve great things when we work together and support each other. By following the ant's example, we can learn to prepare for the future and work together towards a common goal, like the early church in Acts 2:42-47.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Proverbs 6:7 mean by 'without a commander, without an overseer or ruler'?
This phrase highlights the ant's ability to work together and organize itself without a central leader, much like the body of Christ described in 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, where each member works together for the common good.
Is the ant being held up as a model for human society?
While the ant is not a direct model for human society, its industry and cooperation can inspire us to work together and prepare for the future, as seen in Proverbs 10:5, where the wise son gathers his crops in summer.
How does this verse relate to the concept of leadership in the Bible?
The Bible teaches that leadership is important, as seen in Romans 13:1-2, but Proverbs 6:7 shows that even without a single leader, a community can still work together and achieve great things, like the early church in Acts 2:42-47.
What can we learn from the ant's example in this verse?
We can learn the importance of hard work, cooperation, and preparation for the future, as the ant prepares its provisions in summer, and we are encouraged to do the same in Proverbs 21:5, where the diligent person is contrasted with the hasty one.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I can learn from the ant's example of working together without a single leader?
- How can I apply the principle of cooperation and mutual support in my own community, whether at church, work, or home?
- What are some ways I can prepare for the future, like the ant, and what steps can I take to start doing so?
- In what ways can I balance the need for leadership with the value of community cooperation and mutual support, as seen in this verse?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 6:7
Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler. None to guide and direct her what to do; nor any to overlook her, to see that she does aright, or to oblige her to work, and keep her to it; nor any to call
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 6:7
Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler - i:e., no leader of any kind; whereas bees and cranes have.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 6:7
Which might direct them in or quicken them to the work, as the bees have their kings, and many other creatures have their leaders. This heightens their commendation.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 6:7
Proverbs 6:7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,Ver. 7. Which having no guide, overseer, &c.] How much more then should man, who hath all these, and is both ad laborem natus, et ratione ornatus, born to labour, and hath reason to guide him. Only he must take heed that he be not antlike, wholly taken up about What shall we eat, or what shall we drink? &c.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 6:7
(j). Tenth Discourse:—Against Sloth (Proverbs 6:6-11) (7) Guide.—Properly, judge (the Arabic cadi), then leader, prince.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 6:7
7. guide] Rather, chief, R.V. (judge, marg.) to appoint its work. LXX. ἐκείνῳγὰργεωργίουμὴὑπάρχοντος, in keeping with “the summer” and “the harvest” of the next verse. overseer] The Heb. word is used of the Hebrew “officers,” whom the Egyptian “taskmasters” set over the Israelites in Egypt, Exodus 5:6; Exodus 5:10; Exodus 5:14.
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 6:7
The words express the wonder with which the Hebrew observer looked on the phenomena of insect life. “Guide,” better captain, as in Joshua 10:24. The Septuagint introduces here a corresponding reference to the industry of the bee.
Sermons on Proverbs 6:7
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(One Body in Christ) 6. Power Through Unity by Zac Poonen | Zac Poonen emphasizes the power of unity within the Body of Christ, illustrating that two or more believers working together can achieve far more than individuals acting alone. He |
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Be Diligent to Preserve the Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace by Zac Poonen | Zac Poonen emphasizes the vital importance of unity within the Body of Christ, illustrating that together, believers can achieve far more than they can alone. He draws on biblical |
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The Locust by Harriet N. Cook | Harriet N. Cook delves into the destructive nature of locusts as described in the Bible, particularly during the plague in Egypt where they devoured all vegetation, leaving the lan |