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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Proverbs 6:8 it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food at harvest.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/6-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/20_Pro_06_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 6:8 - Warnings Against Foolishness" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food at harvest." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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it gathers its food at harvest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/6.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Provideth her meat in the summer, <i>and</i> gathereth her food in the harvest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/6.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Provides her supplies in the summer, <i>And</i> gathers her food in the harvest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/6.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Prepares its food in the summer <i>And</i> gathers its provision in the harvest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/6.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Prepares her food in the summer And gathers her provision in the harvest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/6.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Prepares her food in the summer, <i>And</i> gathers her provision in the harvest. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/6.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Prepares her food in the summer <i>And</i> gathers her provision in the harvest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/6.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />She prepares her food in the summer And brings in her provisions [of food for the winter] in the harvest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/6.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food during harvest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/6.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food during harvest. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/6.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Provideth her bread in the summer, And gathereth her food in the harvest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/6.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />but they store up food during harvest season. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/6.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/6.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />in summertime it stores its food supply. At harvest time it gathers its food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/6.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />but they store up their food during the summer, getting ready for winter. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/6.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />but prepares its provisions in the summer and gathers its food in the harvest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/6.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food at harvest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/6.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />yet it prepares its food in the summer; it gathers at the harvest what it will eat. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/6.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />provides her bread in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/6.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Provideth her provisions in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/6.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />provides her bread in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/6.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />She prepares her bread in summer, "" She has gathered her food in harvest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/6.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> She doth prepare in summer her bread, She hath gathered in harvest her food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/6.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />She will prepare in summer her bread, gathering her food in harvest.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/6.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Provideth her meat for herself in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/6.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />she provides meals for herself in the summer, and she gathers at the harvest what she may eat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/6.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />She procures her food in the summer, stores up her provisions in the harvest. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/6.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />it prepares its food in summer, and gathers its sustenance in harvest.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/6.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />She provides her bread in the summer and gathers her food in the harvest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/6.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And she prepares for herself her bread from the summer and she stores her food at harvest.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/6.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Provideth her bread in the summer, And gatherest her food in the harvest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/6.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />he prepares food for himself in the summer, and lays by abundant store in harvest. Or go to the bee, and learn how diligent she is, and how earnestly she is engaged in her work; whose labours kings and private men use for health, and she is desired and respected by all: though weak in body, she is advanced by honouring wisdom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/6-8.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=954" 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">7</span>Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3559.htm" title="3559: tā·ḵîn (V-Hifil-Imperf-3fs) -- A primitive root; properly, to be erect; hence to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal, or figurative.">it prepares</a> <a href="/hebrew/3899.htm" title="3899: laḥ·māh (N-msc:: 3fs) -- Bread, food. From lacham; food, especially bread, or grain.">its provisions</a> <a href="/hebrew/7019.htm" title="7019: baq·qa·yiṣ (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- To awake. From quwts; harvest, whether the product or the season.">in summer;</a> <a href="/hebrew/103.htm" title="103: ’ā·ḡə·rāh (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- To gather. A primitive root; to harvest.">it gathers</a> <a href="/hebrew/3978.htm" title="3978: ma·’ă·ḵā·lāh (N-msc:: 3fs) -- Food. From 'akal; an eatable.">its food</a> <a href="/hebrew/7105.htm" title="7105: ḇaq·qā·ṣîr (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- From qatsar; severed, i.e. Harvest, the crop, the time, the reaper, or figuratively; also a limb.">at harvest.</a> </span><span class="reftext">9</span>How long will you lie there, O slacker? When will you get up from your sleep?…<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/30-25.htm">Proverbs 30:25</a></span><br />The ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/10-5.htm">Proverbs 10:5</a></span><br />He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/20-4.htm">Proverbs 20:4</a></span><br />The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/41-34.htm">Genesis 41:34-36</a></span><br />Let Pharaoh take action and appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. / Under the authority of Pharaoh, let them collect all the excess food from these good years, that they may come and lay up the grain to be preserved as food in the cities. / This food will be a reserve for the land during the seven years of famine to come upon the land of Egypt. Then the country will not perish in the famine.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/41-47.htm">Genesis 41:47-49</a></span><br />During the seven years of abundance, the land brought forth bountifully. / During those seven years, Joseph collected all the excess food in the land of Egypt and stored it in the cities. In every city he laid up the food from the fields around it. / So Joseph stored up grain in such abundance, like the sand of the sea, that he stopped keeping track of it; for it was beyond measure.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/41-53.htm">Genesis 41:53-57</a></span><br />When the seven years of abundance in the land of Egypt came to an end, / the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had said. And although there was famine in every country, there was food throughout the land of Egypt. / When extreme hunger came to all the land of Egypt and the people cried out to Pharaoh for food, he told all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph and do whatever he tells you.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/6-21.htm">Genesis 6:21</a></span><br />You are also to take for yourself every kind of food that is eaten and gather it as food for yourselves and for the animals.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/41-33.htm">Genesis 41:33</a></span><br />Now, therefore, Pharaoh should look for a discerning and wise man and set him over the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/41-39.htm">Genesis 41:39-40</a></span><br />Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. / You shall be in charge of my house, and all my people are to obey your commands. Only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/25-1.htm">Matthew 25:1-13</a></span><br />“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. / Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. / The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take along any extra oil. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/25-14.htm">Matthew 25:14-30</a></span><br />For it is just like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted them with his possessions. / To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent—each according to his own ability. And he went on his journey. / The servant who had received the five talents went at once and put them to work and gained five more. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-16.htm">Luke 12:16-21</a></span><br />Then He told them a parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced an abundance. / So he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, since I have nowhere to store my crops?’ / Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and will build bigger ones, and there I will store up all my grain and my goods. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/16-1.htm">Luke 16:1-9</a></span><br />Jesus also said to His disciples, “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. / So he called him in to ask, ‘What is this I hear about you? Turn in an account of your management, for you cannot be manager any longer.’ / The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, now that my master is taking away my position? I am too weak to dig and too ashamed to beg. ...<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="/2_thessalonians/3-10.htm">2 Thessalonians 3:10-12</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. / We command and urge such people by our Lord Jesus Christ to begin working quietly to earn their own living.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Provides her meat in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/30-25.htm">Proverbs 30:25</a></b></br> The ants <i>are</i> a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_timothy/6-19.htm">1 Timothy 6:19</a></b></br> Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/4-17.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-11.htm">Food</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-14.htm">Gathered</a> <a href="/psalms/104-29.htm">Gatherest</a> <a href="/psalms/147-2.htm">Gathereth</a> <a href="/psalms/147-2.htm">Gathers</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-22.htm">Gets</a> <a href="/2_samuel/24-15.htm">Grain-Cutting</a> <a href="/psalms/107-37.htm">Harvest</a> <a href="/psalms/145-15.htm">Meat</a> <a href="/psalms/107-36.htm">Prepare</a> <a href="/psalms/147-8.htm">Prepares</a> <a href="/psalms/147-9.htm">Provides</a> <a href="/job/38-41.htm">Provideth</a> <a href="/psalms/144-13.htm">Provision</a> <a href="/psalms/132-15.htm">Provisions</a> <a href="/proverbs/2-7.htm">Stores</a> <a href="/proverbs/2-1.htm">Storing</a> <a href="/psalms/74-17.htm">Summer</a> <a href="/psalms/109-10.htm">Sustenance</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-28.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/6-26.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-30.htm">Food</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-25.htm">Gathered</a> <a href="/exodus/23-16.htm">Gatherest</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-5.htm">Gathereth</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-5.htm">Gathers</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-35.htm">Gets</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-4.htm">Grain-Cutting</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-5.htm">Harvest</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-2.htm">Meat</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-18.htm">Prepare</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-16.htm">Prepares</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-15.htm">Provides</a> <a href="/1_timothy/5-8.htm">Provideth</a> <a href="/isaiah/28-18.htm">Provision</a> <a href="/jeremiah/44-17.htm">Provisions</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-6.htm">Stores</a> <a href="/amos/3-10.htm">Storing</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-5.htm">Summer</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-27.htm">Sustenance</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-9.htm">Time</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>it prepares its provisions in summer;</b><br>This phrase highlights the ant's foresight and diligence, serving as a model for human behavior. In the ancient Near East, summer was a time of abundance, and the ant's preparation during this season reflects wisdom in utilizing available resources. Biblically, this aligns with the principle of stewardship found throughout Scripture, such as in <a href="/genesis/41-34.htm">Genesis 41:34-36</a>, where Joseph advises Pharaoh to store grain during the seven years of plenty. The ant's actions can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual preparedness, echoing Jesus' parable of the ten virgins in <a href="/matthew/25.htm">Matthew 25:1-13</a>, where readiness is crucial. The ant's industrious nature also mirrors the call to work diligently as unto the Lord, as stated in <a href="/colossians/3-23.htm">Colossians 3:23</a>.<p><b>it gathers its food at harvest.</b><br>The gathering of food at harvest time underscores the importance of timing and seizing opportunities. In the agrarian society of ancient Israel, harvest was a critical period, and failure to gather crops could lead to famine. This reflects the biblical theme of reaping what one sows, as seen in <a href="/galatians/6-7.htm">Galatians 6:7-9</a>, emphasizing the consequences of one's actions. The ant's behavior is a practical example of wisdom, contrasting with the sluggard's neglect, as described in <a href="/proverbs/6-9.htm">Proverbs 6:9-11</a>. Spiritually, this can be related to the harvest of souls, as Jesus speaks of in <a href="/matthew/9-37.htm">Matthew 9:37-38</a>, urging believers to be active in God's work. The ant's diligence serves as a reminder of the need for spiritual vigilance and readiness for the final harvest at Christ's return, as depicted in <a href="/revelation/14-15.htm">Revelation 14:15</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_ant.htm">The Ant</a></b><br>The ant is the primary subject in this verse, serving as a model of diligence and foresight. In the broader context of <a href="/bsb/proverbs/6.htm">Proverbs 6</a>, the ant is used as an example for the sluggard, illustrating the virtues of hard work and preparation.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/summer.htm">Summer</a></b><br>This season represents a time of opportunity and abundance. It is when the ant actively works to gather provisions, symbolizing the importance of seizing the moment to prepare for the future.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/h/harvest.htm">Harvest</a></b><br>The harvest is the time when the fruits of labor are collected. It signifies the reward of diligent work and the importance of planning ahead to ensure sustenance during times of need.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/d/diligence_and_hard_work.htm">Diligence and Hard Work</a></b><br>The ant exemplifies the virtue of diligence. As Christians, we are called to work hard and not be idle, using our time and resources wisely.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/foresight_and_planning.htm">Foresight and Planning</a></b><br>Just as the ant prepares for the future, we should plan and prepare for both physical and spiritual needs. This includes financial planning, career development, and spiritual growth.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seizing_opportunities.htm">Seizing Opportunities</a></b><br>The ant works during the summer, a time of opportunity. We should recognize and seize opportunities in our lives to grow and provide for ourselves and others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/responsibility_and_provision.htm">Responsibility and Provision</a></b><br>The ant's actions remind us of our responsibility to provide for ourselves and our families. This includes being good stewards of what God has given us.<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_is_seed-faith_in_the_bible.htm">What does the Bible say about seed-faith?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_retirement.htm">What does the Bible say about saving for retirement?</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/why_does_proverbs_6_6-8_say_ants_lack_rulers.htm">How can Proverbs 6:6-8 claim ants have 'no ruler' when science shows ant colonies have a strict hierarchy?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/6.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 8.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.</span> It is this characteristic, combined with what has just been said, which gives point to the lesson the sluggard is to learn. The teacher, as it were, argues: If the ant, so insignificant a creature in the order of the animal kingdom, is so provident, how much more should you be - you, a man endued with superior intelligence, and with so many more resources at hand, and with greater advantages! If the ant, with none to urge, direct, or control her work, is so industrious, surely she provides an example at which you, the sluggard, should blush, since there is every external incentive to rouse you to action - your duty to the community, the urgent advice of your friends, and your dignity as a man. If she provides for the future, much more should you do so, and threw off your sloth. Objection has been taken to what is here stated of the provident habits of the ant in storing food, on the ground that it is carnivorous and passes the winter in a state of torpidity. That the ant does lay up stores for future use has, however, been the opinion of all ages. Thus Hesiod ('Days,' 14) speaks of the ant as harvesting the grain, calling it <span class="greek">ἴδρις</span>, "the provident." Virgil says ('Georg.,' 1, 186; cf. 'AEneid,' 4:4027) - <p><span class="foreign">"Veluti ingentem formicae farris acervum<br />Quum populant hiemis memores, tectoque repenunt."</span> So the ants, when they plunder a tall heap of corn, mindful of the winter, store it in their cave. The language of Horace ('Sat.,' 1:50, 32) might be a comment on our passage - <p><span class="accented">"Parvula (nam exemplo est) magni formica laboris sicut<br />Ore trahit quodcunque potest, atque addit acervo,<br />Quem struit, haud ignara ac non incauta futuri,<br />Quae, simul universum contristat Aquarius annum<br />Non usquam prorepit, et illis utitur ante Quaesitis sapiens."</span><br /><br /><span class="accented">"For thus the little ant (to human lore<br />No mean example) forms her frugal store,<br />Gathered, with mighty toils, on every side,<br />Nor ignorant, nor careless to provide<br />For future want; yet when the stars appear<br />That darkly sadden the declining year,<br />No more she comes abroad, but wisely lives<br />On the fair store industrious summer gives."</span><br /><br />(<span class="note_acc">Francis' Translation.</span>) The same provident character is noted in AEsop's fable, 'The Ant and the Grasshopper;' see also Aristotle ('Hist. Nat.,' 9:6). All objections on this subject appear to be based on insufficient data, and have been conclusively answered by recent observation. Apart from the remark of Buffon, that "the ants of tropical climates <span class="accented">lay up provisions</span>, and as they probably live the whole year, they submit themselves to regulations entirely unknown among the ants of Europe." The late Professor Darwin states of the agricultural ant of Texas, which in many features resembles the ant of Palestine, that it not only <span class="accented">stores its food</span>, but prepares the soil for the crops, keeps the ground free from weeds, and finally reaps the harvest (<span class="accented">Journal of Linnaean Society</span>, vol. 1, No. 21, p. 29). Canon Tristram also observes, "The language of the wise man is not only in accordance with the universal belief of his own time, but with the accurately ascertained facts of natural history. Contrary to its habits in colder climates, the ant is not there dormant through the winter; and among the tamerisks of the Dead Sea it may be seen, in January, actively engaged in collecting the aphides and saccharine exudations, in long flies passing and repassing up and down the trunk. Two of the most common species of the Holy Land (<span class="accented">Alta barbara</span>, the black ant, and <span class="accented">Alta structor</span>, the brown ant) are strictly seed feeders, and in summer lay up large stores of grain for winter use. These species are spread along the whole of the Mediterranean coasts, but are unknown in more northern climates. Hence writers who were ignorant of ants beyond those of their own countries have been presumptuous enough to deny the accuracy of Solomon's statement" ('Nat. Hist. of the Bible,' p. 320). The Mishna, section 'Zeraim,' also contains a curious piece of legislation which bears testimony to the storing properties of the ant. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/6-8.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">it prepares</span><br /><span class="heb">תָּכִ֣ין</span> <span class="translit">(tā·ḵîn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3559.htm">Strong's 3559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be erect</span><br /><br /><span class="word">its provisions</span><br /><span class="heb">לַחְמָ֑הּ</span> <span class="translit">(laḥ·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3899.htm">Strong's 3899: </a> </span><span class="str2">Food, bread, grain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in summer;</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּקַּ֣יִץ</span> <span class="translit">(baq·qa·yiṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7019.htm">Strong's 7019: </a> </span><span class="str2">To awake</span><br /><br /><span class="word">it gathers</span><br /><span class="heb">אָגְרָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḡə·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_103.htm">Strong's 103: </a> </span><span class="str2">To harvest</span><br /><br /><span class="word">its food</span><br /><span class="heb">מַאֲכָלָֽהּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(ma·’ă·ḵā·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3978.htm">Strong's 3978: </a> </span><span class="str2">An eatable</span><br /><br /><span class="word">at harvest.</span><br /><span class="heb">בַ֝קָּצִ֗יר</span> <span class="translit">(ḇaq·qā·ṣîr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7105.htm">Strong's 7105: </a> </span><span class="str2">Severed, harvest, the crop, the time, the reaper, a limb</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/6-8.htm">Proverbs 6:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/6-8.htm">Proverbs 6:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/6-8.htm">Proverbs 6:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/6-8.htm">Proverbs 6:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/6-8.htm">Proverbs 6:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/6-8.htm">Proverbs 6:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/6-8.htm">Proverbs 6:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/6-8.htm">Proverbs 6:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/6-8.htm">Proverbs 6:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/6-8.htm">Proverbs 6:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/6-8.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 6:8 Provides her bread in the summer (Prov. 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