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Proverbs 22:13 The slacker says, "There is a lion outside! I will be slain in the streets!"

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I&#8217ll be killed in the public square!&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/22.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The lazy person claims, &#8220;There&#8217;s a lion out there! If I go outside, I might be killed!&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/22.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The sluggard says, &#8220;There is a lion outside! I shall be killed in the streets!&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/22.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The slacker says, &#8220;There is a lion outside! I will be slain in the streets!&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/22.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The slothful <i>man</i> saith, <i>There is</i> a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/22.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The lazy <i>man</i> says, &#8220;<i>There is</i> a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/22.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The lazy one says, &#8220;There is a lion outside; I will be killed in the streets!&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/22.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The sluggard says, &#8220There is a lion outside; I will be killed in the streets!&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/22.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />The sluggard says, &#8220;There is a lion outside; I shall be slain in the streets!&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/22.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />The sluggard says, &#8220;There is a lion outside; I will be killed in the streets!&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/22.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The lazy one [manufactures excuses and] says, &#8220;There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the streets [if I go out to work]!&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/22.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The slacker says, &#8220;There&#8217;s a lion outside! I&#8217;ll be killed in the public square! &#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/22.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The slacker says, &#8220There&#8217s a lion outside! I&#8217ll be killed in the public square!&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/22.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The sluggard saith, There is a lion without; I shall be slain in the streets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/22.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Don't be so lazy that you say, "If I go to work, a lion will eat me!" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/22.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The sluggard saith, There is a lion without: I shall be murdered in the streets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/22.htm">GOD'S WORD&reg; Translation</a></span><br />A lazy person says, "There's a lion outside! I'll be murdered in the streets!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/22.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Lazy people stay at home; they say a lion might get them if they go outside. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/22.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The lazy person says, "There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the street!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/22.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The slacker says, ?There is a lion outside! I will be slain in the streets!?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/22.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the middle of the streets!" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/22.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside. I will be killed in the streets."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/22.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/22.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The sluggard says, &#8220;There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the streets!&#8221; <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/22.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />The slothful has said, &#8220;A lion [is] outside, "" I am slain in the midst of the broad places.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/22.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> The slothful hath said, 'A lion is without, In the midst of the broad places I am slain.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/22.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The slothful one said, A lion without; I shall be slain in the midst of the broad places.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/22.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The slothful man saith: There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the midst of the streets. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/22.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />The lazy one says: &#8220;There is a lion outside. I might be slain in the midst of the streets.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/22.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The sluggard says, &#8220;A lion is outside; I might be slain in the street.&#8221; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/22.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The lazy person says, &#8220;There is a lion outside! I shall be killed in the streets!&#8221;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/22.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />When he is sent on an errand, the sluggard says, There is a lion on the road! and, Behold, there is murder in the streets!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/22.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />When the lazy man was sent, he said, "There is a lion in the road, and look, a killer is in the streets!"<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/22.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The sluggard saith: 'There is a lion without; I shall be slain in the streets.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/22.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />The sluggard makes excuses, and says, <i>There is</i> a lion in the ways, and murderers in the streets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/22-13.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=4470" 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/22.htm">A Good Name</a></span><br>&#8230;<span class="reftext">12</span>The LORD&#8217;s eyes keep watch over knowledge, but He frustrates the words of the faithless. <span class="reftext">13</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6102.htm" title="6102: &#8216;&#257;&#183;&#7779;&#234;l (Adj-ms) -- Sluggish, lazy. From atsal; indolent.">The slacker</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: &#8217;&#257;&#183;mar (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">says,</a> <a href="/hebrew/738.htm" title="738: &#8217;a&#774;&#183;r&#238; (N-ms) -- A lion. Or earyeh; from 'arah; a lion.">&#8220;There is a lion</a> <a href="/hebrew/2351.htm" title="2351: &#7687;a&#183;&#7717;&#363;&#7779; (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- The outside, a street. Or chuts; from an unused root meaning to sever; properly, separate by a wall, i.e. Outside, outdoors.">outside!</a> <a href="/hebrew/7523.htm" title="7523: &#8217;&#234;&#183;r&#257;&#183;&#7779;&#234;&#183;a&#7717; (V-Nifal-Imperf-1cs) -- To murder, slay. A primitive root; properly, to dash in pieces, i.e. Kill, especially to murder.">I will be slain</a> <a href="/hebrew/8432.htm" title="8432: b&#601;&#183;&#7791;&#333;&#183;w&#7733; (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Midst. From an unused root meaning to sever; a bisection, i.e. the centre.">in</a> <a href="/hebrew/7339.htm" title="7339: r&#601;&#183;&#7717;&#333;&#183;&#7687;&#333;&#183;w&#7791; (N-mp) -- A broad open place, plaza. Or rchowb; from rachab; a width, i.e. avenue or area.">the streets!&#8221;</a> </span><span class="reftext">14</span>The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; he who is under the wrath of the LORD will fall into it.&#8230;<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> &middot; <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/26-13.htm">Proverbs 26:13</a></span><br />The slacker says, &#8220;A lion is in the road! A fierce lion roams the public square!&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/25-24.htm">Matthew 25:24-25</a></span><br />Finally, the servant who had received the one talent came and said, &#8216;Master, I knew that you are a hard man, reaping where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. / So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what belongs to you.&#8217;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/19-20.htm">Luke 19:20-21</a></span><br />Then another servant came and said, &#8216;Master, here is your mina, which I have laid away in a piece of cloth. / For I was afraid of you, because you are a harsh man. You withdraw what you did not deposit and reap what you did not sow.&#8217;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/6-6.htm">Proverbs 6:6-11</a></span><br />Walk in the manner of the ant, O slacker; observe its ways and become wise. / Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, / it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food at harvest. ...<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="/ecclesiastes/11-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 11:4</a></span><br />He who watches the wind will fail to sow, and he who observes the clouds will fail to reap.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/25-26.htm">Matthew 25:26</a></span><br />&#8216;You wicked, lazy servant!&#8217; replied his master. &#8216;You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/14-18.htm">Luke 14:18-20</a></span><br />But one after another they all began to make excuses. The first one said, &#8216;I have bought a field, and I need to go see it. Please excuse me.&#8217; / Another said, &#8216;I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out. Please excuse me.&#8217; / Still another said, &#8216;I have married a wife, so I cannot come.&#8217;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/19-24.htm">Proverbs 19:24</a></span><br />The slacker buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/24-30.htm">Proverbs 24:30-34</a></span><br />I went past the field of a slacker and by the vineyard of a man lacking judgment. / Thorns had grown up everywhere, thistles had covered the ground, and the stone wall was broken down. / I observed and took it to heart; I looked and received instruction: ...<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: &#8220;If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.&#8221; / 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="/proverbs/15-19.htm">Proverbs 15:19</a></span><br />The way of the slacker is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/10-4.htm">Proverbs 10:4</a></span><br />Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/12-24.htm">Proverbs 12:24</a></span><br />The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/13-4.htm">Proverbs 13:4</a></span><br />The slacker craves yet has nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The slothful man said, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/15-19.htm">Proverbs 15:19</a></b></br> The way of the slothful <i>man is</i> as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous <i>is</i> made plain.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/26-13.htm">Proverbs 26:13-16</a></b></br> The slothful <i>man</i> saith, <i>There is</i> a lion in the way; a lion <i>is</i> in the streets&#8230; </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/13-32.htm">Numbers 13:32,33</a></b></br> And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, <i>is</i> a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it <i>are</i> men of a great stature&#8230; </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/7-12.htm">Broad</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-25.htm">Death</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-25.htm">Hater</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-2.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-2.htm">Lion</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-2.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/25-3.htm">Murdered</a> <a href="/psalms/84-10.htm">Outside</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-18.htm">Places</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-26.htm">Slain</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-25.htm">Slothful</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-25.htm">Sluggard</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-12.htm">Streets</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-25.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/26-13.htm">Broad</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-13.htm">Death</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-9.htm">Hater</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-20.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-13.htm">Lion</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-34.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/matthew/22-6.htm">Murdered</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-7.htm">Outside</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-13.htm">Places</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-11.htm">Slain</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-30.htm">Slothful</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-30.htm">Sluggard</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-13.htm">Streets</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-29.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 22</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/22-1.htm">A good name is more desirable than great wealth</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 /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <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/22.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book&nbsp;&#9702;</a>&nbsp;<a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/22.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter&nbsp;</a></tr></table></div><b>The slacker says</b><br>This phrase introduces the character of the "slacker," often translated as "sluggard" in other versions. In biblical context, a slacker is someone who is habitually lazy or avoids work. Proverbs frequently contrasts the diligent with the sluggard, emphasizing the value of hard work and responsibility (<a href="/proverbs/6-6.htm">Proverbs 6:6-11</a>). The slacker's behavior is often used as a cautionary example, warning against the spiritual and practical dangers of laziness.<p><b>&#8220;There is a lion outside!</b><br>This part of the verse highlights the irrational excuses made by the slacker to avoid work. In ancient Israel, lions were indeed present in the region, as noted in <a href="/1_samuel/17-34.htm">1 Samuel 17:34-37</a>, where David recounts his encounters with lions while shepherding. However, the likelihood of encountering a lion in the streets was minimal, making this an exaggerated excuse. This reflects the tendency of the slacker to create unrealistic fears to justify inaction, a behavior that can be seen as a metaphor for avoiding spiritual responsibilities.<p><b>I will be slain in the streets!&#8221;</b><br>The slacker's claim of being slain in the streets further illustrates the absurdity of his excuse. Streets in ancient cities were typically bustling with activity, making it an unlikely place for a lion attack. This hyperbolic statement underscores the slacker's avoidance of duty and responsibility. Biblically, this can be connected to the idea of spiritual sloth, where one avoids the call to live out their faith actively. The New Testament echoes this sentiment, urging believers to be vigilant and active in their faith (<a href="/1_thessalonians/5-6.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:6</a>). The slacker's fear of being slain can also be seen as a metaphor for the spiritual death that results from a life of inaction and neglect of one's duties.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_sluggard.htm">The Sluggard</a></b><br>A person characterized by laziness and a lack of initiative. In Proverbs, the sluggard is often depicted as someone who makes excuses to avoid work or responsibility.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lion.htm">The Lion</a></b><br>Symbolically represents an exaggerated or irrational fear used as an excuse to avoid action. In the context of ancient Israel, lions were real threats, but the sluggard uses this as a hyperbolic excuse.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_streets.htm">The Streets</a></b><br>Represents the public sphere or the place of action and responsibility. The sluggard's fear of the streets symbolizes avoidance of societal duties or personal responsibilities.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/e/excuses_vs._reality.htm">Excuses vs. Reality</a></b><br>The sluggard's claim of a lion in the streets is an exaggerated excuse to avoid responsibility. We must discern between legitimate concerns and excuses that hinder our duties.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/fear_as_a_barrier.htm">Fear as a Barrier</a></b><br>Fear can be a significant barrier to fulfilling our God-given responsibilities. We should trust in God's protection and provision rather than succumbing to irrational fears.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/diligence_in_duty.htm">Diligence in Duty</a></b><br>God calls us to be diligent and responsible in our work and daily lives. Avoiding responsibilities through excuses is contrary to biblical teaching.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_laziness.htm">Spiritual Laziness</a></b><br>Just as physical laziness is condemned, spiritual laziness&#8212;neglecting prayer, Bible study, and fellowship&#8212;can lead to spiritual stagnation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/accountability.htm">Accountability</a></b><br>We are accountable to God for how we use our time and resources. Avoiding responsibilities through excuses can lead to missed opportunities for growth and service.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_22.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 22</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_proverbs_say_on_laziness.htm">What does Proverbs say about lazy people?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_meaning_of_psalm_121_1.htm">What does 'Living dog better than dead lion' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'spare_the_rod'_mean.htm">What does 'spare the rod, spoil the child' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_proverbs_8's_wisdom_align_with_john_1.htm">Throughout Proverbs 8, wisdom is personified. Does this depiction align or conflict with other biblical references to God's attributes (e.g., John 1:1-3)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/22.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(13) <span class= "bld">The slothful man saith, There is a lion without . . .</span>--No excuses are too absurd for him, he fears to meet a lion in the open country, or, he might be murdered in the streets.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/22.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 13.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The slothful man saith, There is a lion without</span> (<a href="/proverbs/26-13.htm">Proverbs 26:13</a>). The absurd nature of the sluggard's excuse is hardly understood by the casual reader. The supposed lion is without, in the open country, and yet he professes to be in danger in the midst of the town. <span class="cmt_word">I shall be slain in the streets.</span> Others consider that the sluggard makes two excuses for his inactivity. If work calls him abroad, he may meet the lion which report says is prowling in the neighbourhood; if he has to go into the streets, he may be attacked and murdered by ruffians for motives of plunder or revenge. "Sluggards are prophets," says the Hebrew proverb. Septuagint, "The sluggard maketh excuses, and saith, A lion is in the ways, there are murderers in the streets." Lions, though now extinct in Palestine, seem to have lingered till the time of the Crusades, and such of them as became man eaters, the old or feeble, were a real danger in the vicinity of villages (comp. <a href="/jeremiah/49-19.htm">Jeremiah 49:19</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/50-44.htm">Jeremiah 50:44</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/22-13.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">The sluggard</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1506;&#1464;&#1453;&#1510;&#1461;&#1500;</span> <span class="translit">(&#8216;&#257;&#183;&#7779;&#234;l)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6102.htm">Strong's 6102: </a> </span><span class="str2">Sluggish, lazy</span><br /><br /><span class="word">says,</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1488;&#1464;&#1502;&#1463;&#1443;&#1512;</span> <span class="translit">(&#8217;&#257;&#183;mar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">&#8220;[There is] a lion</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1488;&#1458;&#1512;&#1460;&#1443;&#1497;</span> <span class="translit">(&#8217;a&#774;&#183;r&#238;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_738.htm">Strong's 738: </a> </span><span class="str2">A lion</span><br /><br /><span class="word">outside!</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1489;&#1463;&#1495;&#1425;&#1493;&#1468;&#1509;</span> <span class="translit">(&#7687;a&#183;&#7717;&#363;&#7779;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article &#124; Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2351.htm">Strong's 2351: </a> </span><span class="str2">Separate by a, wall, outside, outdoors</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I will be slain</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1488;&#1461;&#1469;&#1512;&#1464;&#1510;&#1461;&#1469;&#1495;&#1463;&#1475;</span> <span class="translit">(&#8217;&#234;&#183;r&#257;&#183;&#7779;&#234;&#183;a&#7717;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7523.htm">Strong's 7523: </a> </span><span class="str2">To dash in pieces, kill, to murder</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1489;&#1468;&#1456;&#1514;&#1445;&#1493;&#1465;&#1498;&#1456;</span> <span class="translit">(b&#601;&#183;&#7791;&#333;&#183;w&#7733;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b &#124; Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8432.htm">Strong's 8432: </a> </span><span class="str2">A bisection, the centre</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the streets!&#8221;</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1512;&#1456;&#1437;&#1495;&#1465;&#1489;&#1431;&#1493;&#1465;&#1514;</span> <span class="translit">(r&#601;&#183;&#7717;&#333;&#183;&#7687;&#333;&#183;w&#7791;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7339.htm">Strong's 7339: </a> </span><span class="str2">A broad open place, plaza</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/22-13.htm">Proverbs 22:13 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/22-13.htm">Proverbs 22:13 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/22-13.htm">Proverbs 22:13 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/22-13.htm">Proverbs 22:13 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/22-13.htm">Proverbs 22:13 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/22-13.htm">Proverbs 22:13 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/22-13.htm">Proverbs 22:13 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/22-13.htm">Proverbs 22:13 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/22-13.htm">Proverbs 22:13 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/22-13.htm">Proverbs 22:13 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/22-13.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 22:13 The sluggard says There is a lion (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/22-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 22:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 22:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/22-14.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 22:14"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 22:14" /></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>

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