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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/6.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/6.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/6.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/6.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/6.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/6.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/6.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/6.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then your poverty will come in like a drifter, And your need like an armed man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/6.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Your poverty will come in like a vagabond And your need like an armed man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/6.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And your poverty will come in like a vagabond, And your need like an armed man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/6.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Your poverty will come in like a vagabond And your want like an armed man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/6.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So your poverty will come like an <i>approaching</i> prowler who walks [slowly, but surely] And your need [will come] like an armed man [making you helpless].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/6.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />and your poverty will come like a robber, your need, like a bandit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/6.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />and your poverty will come like a robber, your need, like a bandit. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/6.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />So shall thy poverty come as a robber, And thy want as an armed man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/6.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Suddenly, everything is gone, as though it had been taken by an armed robber. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/6.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />So shall thy poverty come as a robber, and thy want as an armed man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/6.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Then your poverty will come [to you]like a drifter, and your need will come [to you]like a bandit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/6.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />But while he sleeps, poverty will attack him like an armed robber. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/6.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />and your poverty will come on you like a bandit and your desperation like an armed man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/6.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/6.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />and your poverty will come like a robber, and your need like an armed man. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/6.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />so your poverty will come as a robber, and your scarcity as an armed man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/6.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />So shall thy poverty come as one that traveleth, and thy want as an armed man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/6.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />so your poverty will come as a robber, and your scarcity as an armed man. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/6.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And your poverty has come as a traveler, "" And your want as an armed man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/6.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And thy poverty hath come as a traveller, And thy want as an armed man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/6.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And thy poverty came as he going, and thy want as a man of the shield.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/6.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And want shall come upon thee, as a traveller, and poverty as a man armed. But if thou be diligent, thy harvest shall come as a fountain, and want shall flee far from thee. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/6.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />and then destitution will meet with you, like a traveler, and poverty, like an armed man. Yet truly, if you would be diligent, then your harvest will arrive like a fountain, and destitution will flee far from you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/6.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Then poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like a brigand. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/6.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want, like an armed warrior.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/6.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And then poverty shall come upon you, and distress shall overtake you; become a successful man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/6.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Poverty will come upon you and want will overtake you like an athletic man.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/6.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />So shall thy poverty come as a runner, And thy want as an armed man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/6.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Then poverty comes upon thee as an evil traveller, and want as a swift courier: but if thou be diligent, thine harvest shall arrive as a fountain, and poverty shall flee away as a bad courier.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/6-11.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=971" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/6.htm">Warnings Against Foolishness</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">10</span>A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, <span class="reftext">11</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7389.htm" title="7389: rê·še·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- Poverty. Or resh; or riysh; from ruwsh; poverty.">and poverty</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: ū·ḇā- (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">will come upon you</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: ḵim·hal·lêḵ (Prep-k:: V-Piel-Prtcpl-ms) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">like a robber,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4270.htm" title="4270: ū·maḥ·sō·rə·ḵā (Conj-w:: N-msc:: 2ms) -- A need, thing needed, poverty. Or machcor; from chacer; deficiency; hence, impoverishment.">and need</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: kə·’îš (Prep-k:: N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">like a bandit.</a> <a href="/hebrew/4043.htm" title="4043: mā·ḡên (N-ms) -- A shield. Also feminine mginnah; from ganan; a shield; figuratively, a protector; also the scaly hide of the crocodile."></a> </span><span class="reftext">12</span>A worthless person, a wicked man, walks with a perverse mouth,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/24-33.htm">Proverbs 24:33-34</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/20-13.htm">Proverbs 20:13</a></span><br />Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/25-26.htm">Matthew 25:26-30</a></span><br />‘You wicked, lazy servant!’ replied his master. ‘You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed. / Then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received it back with interest. / Therefore take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten talents. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/5-3.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:3</a></span><br />While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-19.htm">Luke 12:19-20</a></span><br />Then I will say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take it easy. Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ / But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/5-8.htm">1 Timothy 5:8</a></span><br />If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-18.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:18</a></span><br />Through laziness the roof caves in, and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_thessalonians/3-10.htm">2 Thessalonians 3:10-11</a></span><br />For even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.” / For we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives, accomplishing nothing, but being busybodies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-19.htm">Matthew 6:19-21</a></span><br />Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/2-15.htm">James 2:15-17</a></span><br />Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. / If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that? / So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/21-34.htm">Luke 21:34</a></span><br />But watch yourselves, or your hearts will be weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness, and the worries of life—and that day will spring upon you suddenly like a snare.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-11.htm">Romans 13:11-12</a></span><br />And do this, understanding the occasion. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. / The night is nearly over; the day has drawn near. So let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/56-10.htm">Isaiah 56:10</a></span><br />Israel’s watchmen are blind, they are all oblivious; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they are dreamers lying around, loving to slumber.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/haggai/1-6.htm">Haggai 1:6</a></span><br />You have planted much but harvested little. You eat but never have enough. You drink but never have your fill. You put on clothes but never get warm. You earn wages to put into a bag pierced through.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/3-19.htm">Genesis 3:19</a></span><br />By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground—because out of it were you taken. For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">So shall your poverty come as one that travels, and your want as an armed man.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/10-4.htm">Proverbs 10:4</a></b></br> He becometh poor that dealeth <i>with</i> a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/13-4.htm">Proverbs 13:4</a></b></br> The soul of the sluggard desireth, and <i>hath</i> nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/20-4.htm">Proverbs 20:4</a></b></br> The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; <i>therefore</i> shall he beg in harvest, and <i>have</i> nothing.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/93-1.htm">Armed</a> <a href="/ezra/8-31.htm">Bandit</a> <a href="/job/21-24.htm">Loss</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-23.htm">Need</a> <a href="/john/18-40.htm">Outlaw</a> <a href="/luke/21-4.htm">Penury</a> <a href="/psalms/35-10.htm">Plunderer</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-7.htm">Poverty</a> <a href="/job/18-9.htm">Robber</a> <a href="/jeremiah/14-18.htm">Roving</a> <a href="/psalms/19-5.htm">Runner</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-34.htm">Scarcity</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-34.htm">Traveleth</a> <a href="/job/31-32.htm">Traveller</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-34.htm">Travelleth</a> <a href="/genesis/4-14.htm">Vagabond</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-23.htm">Want</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/24-34.htm">Armed</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-28.htm">Bandit</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-15.htm">Loss</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-30.htm">Need</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-15.htm">Outlaw</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-23.htm">Penury</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-34.htm">Plunderer</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-4.htm">Poverty</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-28.htm">Robber</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-34.htm">Roving</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-34.htm">Runner</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-34.htm">Scarcity</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-34.htm">Traveleth</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-17.htm">Traveller</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-34.htm">Travelleth</a> <a href="/acts/19-13.htm">Vagabond</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-21.htm">Want</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 6</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/6-1.htm">against indebtedness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/6-6.htm">idleness </a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/6-12.htm">and mischievousness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/6-16.htm">seven things detestable to God</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/6-20.htm">the blessings of obedience</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/6-25.htm">the mischief of unfaithfulness</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/6.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/6.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>and poverty will come upon you like a robber</b><br>This phrase warns of the sudden and unexpected nature of poverty that results from laziness or neglect. In the biblical context, the imagery of a "robber" suggests an element of surprise and inevitability. The Bible often uses the metaphor of a thief to describe unexpected events (<a href="/1_thessalonians/5-2.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:2</a>). The agricultural society of ancient Israel relied heavily on diligent work for survival, and neglecting one's duties could lead to dire consequences. This warning aligns with the broader biblical theme that diligence leads to prosperity, while laziness results in lack (<a href="/proverbs/10-4.htm">Proverbs 10:4</a>).<p><b>and need like a bandit</b><br>The term "bandit" emphasizes the aggressive and forceful nature of need when it arrives. In ancient times, bandits were a common threat, often attacking travelers and villages, leaving them in dire straits. This imagery underscores the idea that need can be as relentless and destructive as a bandit raid. The Bible frequently contrasts the outcomes of wisdom and folly, with wisdom leading to security and folly to ruin (<a href="/proverbs/21-5.htm">Proverbs 21:5</a>). This phrase serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of ignoring wisdom and the diligent pursuit of one's responsibilities.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>Traditionally regarded as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. He wrote Proverbs to impart wisdom and understanding.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_sluggard.htm">The Sluggard</a></b><br>While not a specific person, the "sluggard" is a recurring character in Proverbs, representing laziness and a lack of diligence.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/p/poverty_and_need.htm">Poverty and Need</a></b><br>These are personified in this verse as a robber and a bandit, illustrating the sudden and unexpected nature of their arrival.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_laziness.htm">The Consequences of Laziness</a></b><br>Laziness leads to poverty and need, which can come upon a person suddenly and unexpectedly, much like a thief in the night.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_diligence.htm">The Importance of Diligence</a></b><br>Diligence and hard work are virtues that protect against the sudden onset of poverty and need. Christians are called to be industrious and responsible.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_vigilance.htm">Spiritual Vigilance</a></b><br>Just as physical laziness leads to material poverty, spiritual laziness can lead to spiritual poverty. Believers must be vigilant in their spiritual disciplines.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_preparedness.htm">The Value of Preparedness</a></b><br>Being prepared and proactive in life can prevent the negative consequences that come from neglect and idleness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_provision.htm">Trust in God's Provision</a></b><br>While diligence is important, believers must also trust in God's provision and not rely solely on their own efforts.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_6.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 6</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'idle_hands'_mean.htm">What does 'Idle hands are the devil's workshop' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_alcohol.htm">Are you diligent or slothful in your work?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_is_r.c._sproul_and_his_teachings.htm">What is the slippery slope of sin?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_lateness.htm">What does the Bible say about lateness?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/6.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(11) <span class= "bld">As one that travelleth.--</span>The form of the Hebrew is intensive, "one who moves swiftly," as in <a href="/psalms/104-3.htm" title="Who lays the beams of his chambers in the waters: who makes the clouds his chariot: who walks on the wings of the wind:">Psalm 104:3</a>, it is applied to God's "moving upon the wings of the wind." While the sluggard sleeps, poverty is coming on apace.<p><span class= "bld">AS an armed man.</span>--Against whom the sleeper will be defenceless. <a href="/context/proverbs/6-10.htm" title="Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:">Proverbs 6:10-11</a> are repeated in <a href="/context/proverbs/24-33.htm" title="Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:">Proverbs 24:33-34</a>.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/6.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 11.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.</span> The inevitable consequences of sloth - <span class="accented">poverty</span> and <span class="accented">want</span>, two terms conveying the idea of utter destitution - are described under a twofold aspect: first, as certain; second, as irresistible. Poverty will advance upon the sluggard with the unerring precision and swiftness with which a traveller tends towards the end of his journey, or, as Michaelis puts it, "quasi viator qui impigre pergit ac proprius venit donec propositum itineris scopum contingat" (Michaelis, 'Notre Uberiores'). Muffet, <span class="accented">in loc.</span>, keeping to the figure, however, explains differently, "Poverty shall overtake thee, as a swift traveller does one who walks slowly." The Authorized Version, "as one that travelleth," correctly represents the original <span class="accented">kim'hallek.</span> There is no ground whatever, from the use of the verb, for rendering the piel participle <span class="accented">m'hallek</span> as "a robber." The verb <span class="accented">halak</span> invariably means "to go, or walk," and the piel or intensive form of the verb means "to walk vigorously, or quickly." The participle can only mean this in the two other passages where it occurs - <a href="/psalms/104-3.htm">Psalm 104:3</a> and <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-14.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:14</a>. The substantive <span class="accented">helek</span> in <a href="/2_samuel/12-4.htm">2 Samuel 12:4</a> also signifies "a traveller." So the Vulgate here, <span class="accented">quasi viator.</span> The other view, it is stated, is required by the parallel expression in the second hemistich, "as an armed man," and receives some support from the LXX. reading, <span class="greek">ὥσπερ κακὸς</span> <span class="greek">ὁδοιπόρος</span>, "as an evil traveller," which may mean either a traveller bringing evil news, or one who wanders about with an evil intention and purpose, in the sense of the Latin <span class="accented">grassator</span>, "a highwayman." In this case the meaning would be that poverty shall come upon the sluggard as he is indulging in his sloth, and leave him destitute as if stripped by a robber. But the destitution of the sluggard wilt not only be certain and swift, it will be also irresistible. His want shall come upon him as <span class="accented">an armed man</span> (<span class="accented">k'ish magen</span>); literally, as <span class="accented">a man of a shield</span>; Vulgate, <span class="accented">quasi vir armatus</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> like one fully equipped, and who attacks his foe with such onset and force that against him resistance is useless. As the unarmed, unprepared man succumbs to such an opponent, so shall the sluggard fall before want. The expressions," <span class="accented">thy</span> poverty" and "<span class="accented">thy</span> want," represent the destitution of the sluggard as flowing directly from his own habit of self-indulgence. It is his in a special manner) and he, not others, is alone responsible for it. Compare, beside the parallel passage <a href="/proverbs/24-33.htm">Proverbs 24:33</a>, the similar teaching in ch. 10:4; 13:4; 20:4. The Vulgate, LXX., and Arabic Versions at the close of this verse add, "But if thou art diligent, the harvest shall come as a fountain, and want shall flee far from thee;" the LXX. making a further addition, "as a bad runner (<span class="greek">ὥσπερ κακὸς δρομεὺς</span>)." It is observable, in comparing this section with the preceding, that the teacher pursues the subject of the sluggard to its close, while he leaves the end of the surety undetermined. The explanation may be in the difference in character of the two. The surety may escape the consequences of his act, but there is no such relief for the sluggard. His slothfulness becomes a habit, which increases the more it is indulged in, and leads to consequences which are as irremediable as they are inevitable. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/6-11.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">and poverty</span><br /><span class="heb">רֵאשֶׁ֑ךָ</span> <span class="translit">(rê·še·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7389.htm">Strong's 7389: </a> </span><span class="str2">Poverty</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will come upon you</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבָֽא־</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇā-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like a robber,</span><br /><span class="heb">כִמְהַלֵּ֥ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(ḵim·hal·lêḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and need</span><br /><span class="heb">וּ֝מַחְסֹֽרְךָ֗</span> <span class="translit">(ū·maḥ·sō·rə·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4270.htm">Strong's 4270: </a> </span><span class="str2">A need, thing needed, poverty</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like a bandit.</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּאִ֣ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(kə·’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/6-11.htm">Proverbs 6:11 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/6-11.htm">Proverbs 6:11 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/6-11.htm">Proverbs 6:11 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/6-11.htm">Proverbs 6:11 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/6-11.htm">Proverbs 6:11 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/6-11.htm">Proverbs 6:11 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/6-11.htm">Proverbs 6:11 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/6-11.htm">Proverbs 6:11 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/6-11.htm">Proverbs 6:11 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/6-11.htm">Proverbs 6:11 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/6-11.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 6:11 So your poverty will come as (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/6-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 6:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 6:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/6-12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 6:12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 6:12" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>