Proverbs 19:15 — Word Study
WLCעַ֭צְלָה תַּפִּ֣יל תַּרְדֵּמָ֑ה וְנֶ֖פֶשׁ רְמִיָּ֣ה תִרְעָֽב׃
BSA◂Lazinessʻatslâh [slothfulness, sluggishness] brings onnâphal▸ [causes to fall into, leads to] deep sleeptardêmâh [a deep trance, a state of unconsciousness] and an idlerᵉmîyâh [deceitful, slack] soulnephesh [living being, essence] will suffer hungerrâʻêb▸ [be hungry, experience need, a lack of food, physical need]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| עַ֭צְלָה | laziness | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| תַּפִּ֣יל | it makes fall | Verb, Hiphil, imperfect third person feminine singular |
| תַּרְדֵּמָ֑ה | deep sleep | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| וְנֶ֖פֶשׁ | and a person of | Conjunction, noun common feminine singular construct |
| רְמִיָּ֣ה | idleness | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| תִרְעָֽב׃ | he will be hungry | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person feminine singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger. |
| KJV | Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. |
| ASV | Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; And the idle soul shall suffer hunger. |
| YLT | Sloth causeth deep sleep to fall, And an indolent soul doth hunger. |
| WEB | Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep. The idle soul shall suffer hunger. |
| BBE | Hate of work sends deep sleep on a man: and he who has no industry will go without food. |
Where they part company is in the interpretation of עַצְלָה — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence consists of two main clauses connected by 'and', with additional phrases providing detail on the effects of laziness.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectעַצְלָה
verbנָפַל
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Proverbs 19:15
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Wisdom on Lazinessgenerated
Proverbs 19:15 presents a clear warning about the dangers of laziness. The verse states that laziness leads to deep sleep, indicating a state of inactivity and unawareness, while an idle soul suffers from hunger, highlighting the consequences of neglecting one's responsibilities. This theme is consistent throughout the book of Proverbs, which often contrasts the diligent with the slothful, encouraging wise living.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 19:24 | The slacker buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth. |
| 2 | Proverbs 6:9–10 | How long will you lie there, O slacker? When will you get up from your sleep? |
| 3 | Proverbs 20:13 | Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food. |
| 4 | Proverbs 23:21 | For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe them in rags. |
| 5 | Proverbs 24:33 | A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 12 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — עַצְלָה, 'Atz.lahgenerated
The Hebrew word עַצְלָה ('atzlah) is a feminine noun meaning laziness or sluggishness. It emphasizes a lack of effort or energy, and its root indicates a state of indolence. This word appears in the context of warnings against slothfulness, particularly in wisdom literature like Proverbs.
The lexicons consistently define עַצְלָה as slothfulness, underscoring its negative connotations. The word's use in this verse serves as a reminder of the importance of diligence and the potential pitfalls of idleness.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations of this verse agree on the core message regarding laziness and its consequences.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse comprises two main clauses connected by 'and': the first clause describes the effect of laziness, while the second clause details the consequence for an idle soul. The structure emphasizes the cause-and-effect relationship between laziness and its repercussions.
The finite verb תַּפִּ֣יל (ta.Pil) governs the first clause, indicating that laziness causes deep sleep, while the second clause features another verb תִרְעָֽב (tir.'Av), which describes the outcome of idleness.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates עַצְלָה as δειλία (deilia), which also means slothfulness or cowardice. This choice highlights a similar moral failing, linking laziness to a lack of courage or action.
The Greek word κατέξει (katexei) is used for 'it makes fall', indicating a direct consequence of laziness leading to a downfall, aligning with the Hebrew meaning.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 19:15 warns that laziness leads to deep sleep, meaning a person becomes inactive and unaware, while an idle soul will suffer hunger, indicating that neglecting responsibilities can lead to physical need. This verse is part of a larger teaching in Proverbs that contrasts diligence with laziness.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Laziness leads to deep sleep, indicating inactivity and unawareness, and an idle soul will suffer hunger, meaning they will face physical need.
This verse reflects the broader theme in Proverbs that contrasts the diligent with the slothful, emphasizing the importance of hard work and the consequences of idleness.
'Deep sleep' refers to a state of unconsciousness or inactivity resulting from laziness, suggesting that a lazy person is unaware of their surroundings and responsibilities.
Idleness is dangerous because it leads to neglect of responsibilities, resulting in physical needs like hunger, as highlighted in this verse.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I struggle with laziness, and how can I address it?
- How can I encourage others to be diligent and avoid idleness?
- What practical steps can I take to ensure I am fulfilling my responsibilities?
- How does this verse challenge my understanding of work and rest?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 19:15 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleSlothfulness casteth into a deep sleep,.... Slothful persons are generally sleepy, and are very desirous of sleep, and indulge themselves in it; they spend their time, day and night, in sleep and
Read John Gill on Proverbs 19 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentarySlothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep. Moderate labour sharpens the spirit; idleness dulls it.
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 19 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleCasteth into a deep sleep; maketh a man careless and, negligent, and like one asleep in his business, whereby he cometh to want, as it follows.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 19 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 19:15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.Ver. 15. Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep.] Sloth bringeth sleep, and sleep poverty. See this excellently set forth.
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 19 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(15) Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep.—Or rather, makes it fall upon a man, as upon Adam (Genesis 2:21).
Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 19 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 15. Into a deep sleep] תרדמה tardemah, the same into which Adam was thrown, before Eve was taken from his side. Sloth renders a man utterly unconscious of all his interests. Though he has frequently felt hunger, yet he is regardless that his continual slothfulness must necessarily plunge him into more sufferings.
Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 19 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleCasteth into a deep sleep - Better, causeth deep sleep to fall.
Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 19 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible15. Casteth — Rather, causeth deep sleep to fall, amounting to stupor and lethargy. A deep sleep — úøãîä, (tardemah,) the same word used in Genesis 2:2, concerning Adam. An idle soul — Or person. Comp.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 19 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger.
Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep. The idle soul shall suffer hunger.
Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger.
Laziness brings on a deep sleep, and the idle person will go hungry.
Tyndale line
Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; And the idle soul shall suffer hunger.
Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and the idle soul shall suffer hunger.
Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
Slouthfulnes causeth to fall asleepe, and a deceitfull person shall be affamished.
Strictly literal
Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep, and the idle soul shall suffer hunger.
Sloth causeth deep sleep to fall, And an indolent soul doth hunger.
Sloth causes deep sleep to fall, || And an indolent soul hungers.
Slothfulness casteth [man] into a deep sleep; and an indolent soul will suffer hunger.
Laziness throws a person into a deep sleep, but the one not willing to work will go hungry.
From the Latin
Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep, and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
Simplified
Lazy people are often fast asleep, but idleness means they're hungry.
Hate of work sends deep sleep on a man: and he who has no industry will go without food.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text (MT) of Proverbs 19:15 states, "עַ֭צְלָה תַּפִּ֣יל תַּרְדֵּמָ֑ה וְנֶ֖פֶשׁ רְמִיָּ֣ה תִרְעָֽב׃" which translates to, "Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger." The Septuagint (LXX) agrees with the MT, matching all six words in a word-by-word correspondence, although the order and articles may differ due to the nature of Greek syntax. The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Dead Sea Scrolls do not provide a differing reading for this verse, thus confirming the MT's wording and meaning across these ancient witnesses.
עַ֭צְלָה תַּפִּ֣יל תַּרְדֵּמָ֑ה וְנֶ֖פֶשׁ רְמִיָּ֣ה תִרְעָֽב׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Proverbs 19:15
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
עַצְלָה (atslah) is a feminine noun meaning sluggishness or indolence, derived from the root word for laziness. The entries consistently emphasize its association with slothfulness, without significant disagreement among the lexicons.
עַצְלָה n.f. sluggishness
base
H6103 עַצְלָה
6103 `atslah ats-law'
feminine of 6102; (as abstractly) indolence:--slothfulness.
see HEBREW for 06102
עַצְלָה (ats.lah) — sluggishness.
sluggishness, laziness
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
→ See SLOTHFULNESS
נָפַל (naphal) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to fall,' encompassing a wide range of applications, including falling by accident, experiencing violent death, or going to ruin. It can also refer to prostrating oneself, attacking, or causing someone to fall. The term appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, often indicating physical or metaphorical downfall.
נָפַל 433 vb. fall, lie
Qal 366
fall, by accident
Esp. of violent death
fig. = go to ruin, perish, etc.
fig. = experience calamity
fall, of a city
Fall prostrate
fall = prostrate oneself before
fall upon one's neck, in embrace
Fall upon = attack
desert or fall away to, go over to
Fig., of deep sleep
Other idiomatic uses
= lie; = lie prostrate
Hiph.
cause to fall
Of causing death; = overthrow, bring to destruction
Esp. of casting lot
Fig., let drop, cause to fail
cause deep sleep to fall
Other idioms
Hithp. throw, or prostrate oneself
base
H5307 נָפַל fall, lie .. fall, by accident
. . Esp. of violent death
. fig. = go to ruin, perish, etc.
. fig. = experience calamity
. fall, of a city
. . Fall prostrate
. fall = prostrate oneself before
. fall upon one's neck, in embrace
. . Fall upon = attack
. desert or fall away to, go over to
. Fig., of deep sleep
. Other idiomatic uses
. = lie; = lie prostrate
. . cause to fall
. Of causing death; = overthrow, bring to destruction
. Esp. of casting lot
. Fig., let drop, cause to fail
. cause deep sleep to fall
. Other idioms
. throw, or prostrate oneself
5307 naphal naw-fal'
a primitive root; to fall, in a great variety of applications
(intransitive or causative, literal or figurative):--be
accepted, cast (down, self, (lots), out), cease, die, divide
(by lot), (let) fail, (cause to, let, make, ready to) fall
(away, down, -en, -ing), fell(-ing), fugitive, have
(inheritance), inferior, be judged (by mistake for 6419), lay
(along), (cause to) lie down, light (down), be (X hast) lost,
lying, overthrow, overwhelm, perish, present(-ed, -ing), (make
to) rot, slay, smite out, X surely, throw down.
see HEBREW for 06419
נָפַל (na.phal) — to fall: fall.
: fall/drop/fail
1) to fall, lie, be cast down, fail
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to fall
1a2) to fall (of violent death)
1a3) to fall prostrate, prostrate oneself before
1a4) to fall upon, attack, desert, fall away to, go away to, fall into the hand of
1a5) to fall short, fail, fall out, turn out, result
1a6) to settle, waste away, be offered, be inferior to
1a7) to lie, lie prostrate
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to cause to fall, fell, throw down, knock out, lay prostrate
1b2) to overthrow
1b3) to make the lot fall, assign by lot, apportion by lot
1b4) to let drop, cause to fail (fig.)
1b5) to cause to fall
1c) (Hithpael)
1c1) to throw or prostrate oneself, throw oneself upon
1c2) to lie prostrate, prostrate oneself
1d) (Pilel) to fall
נָפַל (na.phal) — to fall: deserting.
: deserting
1) to fall, lie, be cast down, fail
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to fall
1a2) to fall (of violent death)
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3fs — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect third person feminine singularHVhi3fs
fol (vb.): The idea of falling is most frequently expressed in Hebrew by naphal, but also by many other words; in Greek by pipto, and its compounds. The uses of the word in Scripture are very varied. There is the literal falling by descent; the falling of the countenance in sorrow, shame, anger, etc. (Ge 4:5,6); the falling in battle (Ge 14:10; Nu 14:3, etc.); the falling into trouble, etc. (Pr 24:16,17); prostration in supplication and reverence (Ge 17:3; Nu 14:5, etc.); falling of the Spirit of Yahweh (Eze 11:5…
תַּרְדֵּמָה (tardemah) means 'deep sleep' or 'trance.' It is derived from the root word meaning lethargy. The term is used to describe a profound state of unconsciousness, as noted in various lexicons.
תַּרְדֵּמָה n.f. deep sleep
base
H8639 תַּרְדֵּמָה deep sleep
8639 tardemah tar-day-maw'
from 7290; a lethargy or (by implication) trance:--deep
sleep.
see HEBREW for 07290
תַּרְדֵּמָה (tar.de.mah) — deep sleep.
deep sleep, trance
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
See SLEEP, DEEP.
The Hebrew word נֶ֫פֶשׁ (*nephesh*) broadly means 'soul' or 'living being,' encompassing concepts like life, self, person, desire, and emotion. It is derived from the root meaning 'to breathe' and signifies both physical and mental aspects of existence. The lexicons note its use in various contexts, including as the seat of appetites and emotions, though its application to will and character is uncertain.
נֶ֫פֶשׁ 756 n.f. soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion
= that which breathes, the breathing substance or being
The נפשׁ becomes a living being
The נפשׁ is specif.
The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself
נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.)
נ׳ = seat of emotions and passions
נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts
נפשׁ for acts of the will is dub.
נפשׁ = character is still more dub.
נ׳ in D
base
H5315 נֶ֫פֶשׁ soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion . = that which breathes, the breathing substance or being
. The נפשׁ becomes a living being
. The נפשׁ is specif.
. The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself
. נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.)
. נ׳ = seat of emotions and passions
. נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts
. נפשׁ for acts of the will is dub.
. נפשׁ = character is still more dub.
. נ׳ in D
5315 nephesh neh'-fesh
from 5314; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of
(abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal,
accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental):--any,
appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, X dead(-ly), desire,
X (dis-)contented, X fish, ghost, + greedy, he, heart(-y),
(hath, X jeopardy of) life (X in jeopardy), lust, man, me,
mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-,
thy-)self, them (your)-selves, + slay, soul, + tablet, they,
thing, (X she) will, X would have it.
see HEBREW for 05314
נֶ֫פֶשׁ (ne.phesh) — soul.
1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion
1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man
1b) living being
1c) living being (with life in the blood)
1d) the man himself, self, person or individual
1e) seat of the appetites
1f) seat of emotions and passions
1g) activity of mind
1g1) uncertain
1h) activity of the will
1h1) uncertain
1i) activity of the character
1i1) uncertain
נֶ֫פֶשׁ (ne.phesh) — soul: life.
1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion
1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man
1b) living being
1c) living being (with life in the blood)
1d) the man himself, self, person or individual
1e) seat of the appetites
1f) seat of emotions and passions
1g) activity of mind
Conj | N-cs — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular constructHC/Ncfsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
רְמִיָּה (rmiyah) refers to both deceit and slackness. It is derived from the root word for remissness and encompasses meanings such as treachery, guile, and idleness. The entries indicate a dual focus on moral failure and a lack of diligence, but do not provide specific verse references.
רְמִיָּה n.f. deceit, treachery
base
רְמִיָּה n.f. laxness, slackness
base
H7423a רְמִיָּה deceit, treachery H7423b רְמִיָּה laxness, slackness
7423 rmiyah rem-ee-yaw'
from 7411; remissness, treachery:--deceit(- ful, -fully),
false, guile, idle, slack, slothful.
see HEBREW for 07411
רְמִיָּה (re.miy.yah) — deceit.
deceit, treachery
רְמִיָּה (re.miy.yah) — slackness.
laxness, slackness, slackening
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
רָעֵב (ra`eb) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to be hungry.' It is a primitive root that can also imply allowing someone to hunger. The entries indicate its use in both the Qal and Hiphil stems, covering the basic state of hunger and the act of causing hunger.
רָעֵב vb. be hungry
Qal be hungry
Hiph. allow one to hunger
base
H7456 רָעֵב be hungry
7456 ra`eb raw-abe'
a primitive root; to hunger:--(suffer to) famish, (be, have,
suffer, suffer to) hunger(-ry).
רָעֵב (ra.ev) — be hungry.
1) to be hungry, be voracious
1a) (Qal) to be hungry
1b) (Hiphil) to allow one to be hungry, allow to hunger
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person feminine singularHVqi3fs