Proverbs 6:7 — Word Study
WLCאֲשֶׁ֖ר אֵֽין־ לָ֥הּ קָצִ֗ין שֹׁטֵ֥ר וּמֹשֵֽׁל׃
BSAWithoutʼayin [lacking, having no] a commanderqâtsîyn [chief, leader] without an overseershôṭêr [having no, official, officer] or rulermâshal [one who rules, having authority to govern]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אֲשֶׁ֖ר | which | Particle |
| אֵֽין־ | not | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| לָ֥הּ | [belongs] to it | Preposition, suffix |
| קָצִ֗ין | [is] commander of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| שֹׁטֵ֥ר | icer | Verb, Qal, participle (active) masculine singular |
| וּמֹשֵֽׁל׃ | and ruler | Conjunction, verb qal participle (active) masculine singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, |
| KJV | Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, |
| ASV | Which having no chief, Overseer, or ruler, |
| YLT | Which hath not captain, overseer, and ruler, |
| WEB | which having no chief, overseer, or ruler, |
| BBE | Having no chief, overseer, or ruler, |
The translations agree on the absence of leadership, using similar phrases to convey this idea.
The sentence is structured to emphasize the absence of leadership through a series of noun phrases.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbשֹׁטֵר
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 6:7
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 — The Wisdom of the Antgenerated
Proverbs 6:7 is part of a passage that encourages the lazy to observe the ant's behavior. The ant, despite its small size and lack of human-like reasoning, prepares diligently for the future. This verse serves as a reminder of the necessity of leadership and oversight in both nature and human life, contrasting the industriousness of the ant with the sluggard's lack of initiative.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 38:39–41 | Can you hunt the prey for a lioness or satisfy the hunger of young lions |
| 2 | Job 39:1–12 | “Do you know when mountain goats give birth? Have you watched the doe bear her fawn? |
| 3 | Job 41:4–34 | Will he make a covenant with you to take him as a slave for life? |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 3 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — קָצִין, ka.Tzingenerated
The term קָצִין (*qatsin*) refers to a chief or leader, often in a military or authoritative context. It conveys the idea of someone who holds power and responsibility, derived from a root meaning to determine or decide.
In this verse, the absence of a commander emphasizes the lack of guidance, suggesting that without leadership, one may falter in their duties or responsibilities. The word is significant in illustrating the need for structure and authority.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations agree on the meaning of the verse, consistently conveying the absence of leadership with phrases like without a commander and without an overseer or ruler.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main clause of the verse is אֵֽין־, not, which indicates the absence of leadership. This is followed by a series of noun phrases that describe what is lacking: a קָצִין commander, a שֹׁטֵר overseer, and a מֹשֵׁל ruler.
The structure highlights the absence of these roles, emphasizing the need for guidance and authority in order to function effectively.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint uses the term γεωργίου, which translates to of a farmer. This choice reflects a broader interpretation, suggesting an emphasis on the need for oversight in agricultural contexts.
This rendering indicates a shift from military or authoritative leadership to a more general understanding of guidance, showing how the concept of leadership can vary in different contexts.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 6:7 tells us that without a commander, overseer, or ruler, there is a lack of guidance. This verse uses the ant as an example of hard work and preparation, contrasting it with the laziness of those who do not take initiative.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Being without a commander signifies a lack of leadership and direction, which can lead to chaos or inefficiency.
The ant is presented as a model of diligence, working hard without needing a leader to guide it.
Leadership is crucial for organization and productivity; without it, individuals may struggle to fulfill their responsibilities.
The comparison teaches the value of hard work and foresight, encouraging individuals to be proactive rather than lazy.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I lack leadership or guidance?
- How can I be more proactive and diligent like the ant?
- What lessons can I apply from this verse to my responsibilities at work or home?
- How do I respond to the need for leadership in my community or family?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Bede comments on this verse, using it to illustrate the importance of guidance and foresight in human life, drawing a parallel with the ant's natural instincts.
Which, having no guide, etc. If such a small animal, lacking a leader and devoid of reason, foresees things for itself by nature as its guide for the future, much more so should you, created in the image of God, called to see His glory,Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 6 →
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 6:7 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleWhich 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
Read John Gill on Proverbs 6 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryWhich 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.
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 6 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleWhich 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.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 6 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 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.
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 6 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(j). Tenth Discourse:—Against Sloth (Proverbs 6:6-11) (7) Guide.—Properly, judge (the Arabic cadi), then leader, prince.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 6 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges7. 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.
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 6 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThe 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.
Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 6 →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
Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler,
which having no chief, overseer, or ruler,
Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler,
It has no commander, overseer, or ruler,
Tyndale line
Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
Which having no chief, Overseer, or ruler,
Which having no chief, overseer, or ruler,
Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
For shee hauing no guide, gouernour, nor ruler,
Strictly literal
which having no chief, overseer, or ruler,
Which hath not captain, overseer, and ruler,
Which has no captain, overseer, and ruler,
She, that hath no prince, officer, or ruler,
It has no commander, officer, or ruler,
From the Latin
Which, although she hath no guide, nor master, nor captain,
Simplified
They don't have a leader, an officer, or a ruler,
Having no chief, overseer, or ruler,
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 states, אֲשֶׁ֖ר אֵֽין־ לָ֥הּ קָצִ֗ין שֹׁטֵ֥ר וּמֹשֵֽׁל׃, which aligns with the Septuagint's interpretation, though only one of the six words matches. The Septuagint's wording reflects a different emphasis on the type of leadership being discussed.
אֲשֶׁ֖ר אֵֽין־ לָ֥הּ קָצִ֗ין שֹׁטֵ֥ר וּמֹשֵֽׁל׃
1 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 6:7
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.
The Hebrew word אֲשֶׁר (*asher*) is a relative pronoun that can mean 'who,' 'which,' or 'that.' It serves various grammatical functions, including as an adverb or conjunction, indicating relationships between clauses, places, or conditions. Variants like בַאֲשֶׁר (*ba-asher*), מֵאֲשֶׁר (*me-asher*), and כַּאֲשֶׁר (*ka-asher*) expand its usage to specific contexts such as location, causation, and time.
אֲשֶׁר part. of relation A sign of relation, bringing the clause introduced by it into relation with an antecedent clause.
base
בַאֲשֶׁר
in (that) which
adv. in (the place) where
conj. in that, inasmuch as
on account of whom?
base
מֵאֲשֶׁר
from (or than) that which
adv. from (the place) where
conj. from (the fact) that …, since
base
כַּאֲשֶׁר conj. according as, as, when
according to that which, according as, as
with a causal force, in so far as, since
with a temporal force, when
base
H834a אֲשֶׁר part. of relation A sign of relation, bringing the clause introduced by it into relation with an antecedent clause. H834b בַאֲשֶׁר . in (that) which
. adv. in (the place) where
. conj. in that, inasmuch as
. on account of whom?
H834c מֵאֲשֶׁר . from (or than) that which
. adv. from (the place) where
. conj. from (the fact) that …, since
H834d כַּאֲשֶׁר conj. according as, as, when . according to that which, according as, as
. with a causal force, in so far as, since
. with a temporal force, when
834 'aher ash-er'
a primitive relative pronoun (of every gender and number);
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction)
when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.:--X after, X
alike, as (soon as), because, X every, for, + forasmuch, +
from whence, + how(-soever), X if, (so) that ((thing) which,
wherein), X though, + until, + whatsoever, when, where
(+ -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, +
whither(- soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is
indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun
expletively, used to show the connection.
אֲשֶׁר (a.sher) — which.
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
בַאֲשֶׁר (ba.a.sher) — in which.
1) in (that) which
2) (adv)
2a) where
3) (conj)
3a) in that, inasmuch as
3b) on account of
מֵאֲשֶׁר (me.a.sher) — whence.
1) from (or than) that which
2) from (the place) where
3) from (the fact) that, since
כַּאֲשֶׁר (ka.a.sher) — as which.
conj
1) according as, as, when
1a) according to that which, according as, as
HTr — ParticleHTr
אַ֫יִן (ayin) primarily means 'nothing' or 'nought' and serves as a negative particle indicating absence or negation, such as 'is not' or 'there is not.' It can also express lack of possession or existence. The word is derived from a root meaning to be non-existent, and it appears frequently in various grammatical constructions.
אַ֫יִן, אָ֑֫יִן cstr. אֵין subst. prop. nothing, nought
to nothing, as nothing
cstr. אֵין, very freq. as particle of negation, is not, are not, was not, were not
אֵין לְ׳, with subst., or pron., there is (was) not to … = … have, has, had, etc. not
in circumst. clauses
with inf. and ל׳, it is not to …
with prefixes
base
H369 אַ֫יִן, אָ֑֫יִן cstr. אֵין subst. prop. nothing, nought . to nothing, as nothing
. cstr. אֵין, very freq. as particle of negation, is not, are not, was not, were not
. אֵין לְ׳, with subst., or pron., there is (was) not to … = … have, has, had, etc. not
. in circumst. clauses
. with inf. and ל׳, it is not to …
. with prefixes
369 'ayin ah'-yin
as if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not
exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative
particle:--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 370.
see HEBREW for 0370
אַ֫יִן (a.yin) — nothing.
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
Part — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
הָ (ha) — her.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person feminine singular
HR/Sp3fs — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp3fs
קָצִין (qatsiyn) refers to a chief or ruler, often in a military context, such as a commander or dictator. It conveys the idea of authority and leadership, derived from the root meaning to determine. The term encompasses various forms of leadership, including magistrates and guides, as noted in different lexicons.
קָצִין n.m. chief, ruler
chief, commander, in war
dictator
more gen., ruled, man in authority
base
H7101 קָצִין chief, ruler . chief, commander, in war
. dictator
. more gen., ruled, man in authority
7101 qatsiyn kaw-tseen'
from 7096 in the sense of determining; a magistrate (as
deciding) or other leader:--captain, guide, prince, ruler.
Compare 6278.
see HEBREW for 07096
see HEBREW for 06278
קָצִין (qa.tsin) — chief.
1) chief, ruler, commander
1a) chief, commander (in war)
1b) dictator
1c) ruler (of one in authority)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
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…
שֹׁטֵר (shoter) refers to an official or officer, with possible roots in the concepts of writing or organization. The term is described as an active participle, suggesting roles such as a scribe or magistrate. The entries do not provide significant disagreement, focusing instead on its administrative connotations.
שֹׁטֵר n.m. official, officer (prop. scribe, secretary? or fr. original meaning as arranger, organizer?)
base
H7860 שֹׁטֵר official, officer (prop. scribe, secretary? or fr. original meaning as arranger, organizer?)
7860 shoter sho-tare'
active participle of an otherwise unused root probably
meaning to write; properly, a scribe, i.e. (by analogy or
implication) an official superintendent or
magistrate:--officer, overseer, ruler.
שֹׁטֵר (sho.ter) — official.
(Qal) official, officer
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singularHVqrmsa
מָשַׁל (mashal) is a Hebrew verb meaning to rule or have dominion. It can refer to human authority, the dominion of heavenly bodies, or God's sovereignty. The word has a Qal form indicating direct rule and a Hiphil form that implies causing someone to rule or exercising dominion.
מָשַׁל vb. rule, have dominion, reign
Qal
human subj., rule, have dominion over
of heavenly bodies
of God
Hiph. cause to rule; exercise dominion
base
H4910 מָשַׁל rule, have dominion, reign .. human subj., rule, have dominion over
. of heavenly bodies
. of God
. cause to rule; exercise dominion
4910 mashal maw-shal'
a primitive root; to rule:--(have, make to have) dominion,
governor, X indeed, reign, (bear, cause to, have)
rule(-ing, -r), have power.
מָשַׁל (ma.shal) — to rule.
1) to rule, have dominion, reign
1a) (Qal) to rule, have dominion
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to cause to rule
1b2) to exercise dominion
Conj | V-Qal — Conjunction · verb qal participle (active) masculine singularHC/Vqrmsa
rool'-er:
1. In the Old Testament:
(1) moshel, "ruler," "prince," "master" (tyrant), applied to Joseph in Egypt (Ge 45:8; compare Ps 105:21); to the Philistines (Jud 15:11); to David's descendants, the future kings of Israel (2Ch 7:18; compare Jer 33:26); to Pharaoh (Ps 105:20); to a wicked prince, a tyrant (Pr 28:15; compare Isa 14:5; 49:7); to theocratic king, the Messiah (Mic 5:2); it is often used in…