Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Proverbs 12:24
The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.
24. the slothful ] Lit. sloth. See Pro 10:4. Comp. Pro 13:1-2.
shall be under tribute ] Rather, shall come, or be put, under task-work, i.e. servile or enforced labour. The phrase occurs frequently (e.g. Deu 20:11; Jdg 1:30; Jdg 1:33; Jdg 1:35), and is rendered, “be, or become tributary,” both in A.V. and R.V., though with the alternative, “be subject to task-work,” in R.V. marg. But in all those places the words, “and shall serve thee” are added, showing that it was not in money but in toil, as with the Israelites in Egypt, that the “tribute” was to be paid. Hence the phrase comes to have the meaning which it has here.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Under tribute – The comparison is probably suggested by the contrast between the condition of a conquered race (compare Jos 16:10; Jdg 1:30-33), and that of the freedom of their conquerors from such burdens. The proverb indicates that beyond all political divisions of this nature there lies an ethical law. The slothful descend inevitably to pauperism and servitude. The prominence of compulsory labor under Solomon 1Ki 9:21 gives a special significance to the illustration.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Pro 12:24
The hand of the diligent shall bear rule.
The reward of the diligent
The natural estate of man is labour. Toil was the requirement of paradise. Gods Word recognises the universal law of work. Toil is prayer; and the Christian learns from the record of Gods will that honest, faithful, diligent, God-fearing and God-honouring work is itself a worship acceptable to the great All-worker. God enjoins diligence upon us by precept and by example. About us, all things perform their allotment of work, and do it promptly and without a thought of delay. God teaches men by His own ceaseless workings through ten thousand ever-busy forces, and revelation utters the same bidding to unremitting toil. For labour is the tenure of Gods gifts to man. It is thus the requirement of Christian duty that we should not be slothful in business. Promises of reward cluster around the fulfilment of this command. Diligent hands are speedily rendered expert. The diligent hand teaches and trains the wary and observing eye. God works no miracles on behalf of the drones of society. And the hand of the diligent shall bear rule, as Joseph the faithful slave-boy found, and Daniel the captive Hebrew boy. Another reward of the diligent is honour and renown. He shall stand before kings. Illustrate by the cases of Benjamin Franklin and William Carey. Learn that sloth and idleness are expressly forbidden; and so is that undue and overwrought exertion which marks the man greedy of gain. Riches are to be valued as means, not as an end. (Bp. Stevens Perry.)
The hand of the diligent shall bear rule
A young man in a leather store used to feel very impatient with his employer for keeping him year after year, for three years, handling hides. But he saw the use of it in his future career, when, in an establishment of his own, he was able to tell by the touch the exact quality of the goods. It was only by the thousands of repetitions that the lesson was learned; and so it is with everything in which we acquire skill. The half-informed, half-skilled in every business outnumber the others, dozens to one. Daniel Webster once replied to a young man who asked him if there was any room in the legal profession, There is always room at the top. The better you know your business the more you are likely to rise. You can gather much information by making a wise use of your eyes and ears, and perhaps be able to surprise your employer in an emergency by stepping into the next mans place and discharging his duties satisfactorily. So, learn your business, and you will find there is room at the top. (Home Words.)
Diligence and its reward
Mr. Chauncey M. Depew tells the story of his visit to the mechanical department of Cornell University. He found at the head of it Professor Morris, who claimed him as a superior officer, giving as a reason that he was an old-time worker on the New York Central Railway. How did you get here? asked Depew. I was stoker on the New York Central. I stood on the footboard as an engineer on the Central. While a locomotive engineer I made up my mind to get an education. I studied at night, and fitted myself for Union College, running all the time with my locomotive. I procured books, and attended, as far as possible, all lectures and recitations. I kept up with my class, and on the day of graduation I left my locomotive, washed up, put on the gown and cap, delivered my thesis, and received my diplomas, put the gown and cap in the closet, put on my working shirt, got on my engine, and made my usual run that day. Then, says Depew, I knew how he became Professor Morris. That spirit will cause a man to rise anywhere and in any calling.
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 24. The hand of the diligent shall bear rule] And why? because by his own industry he is independent; and every such person is respected wherever found.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Shall bear rule; shall procure wealth and power.
The slothful, Heb. the deceitful. So he calls the slothful, because deceit and idleness are commonly companions, and such men seek to gain by fraud what they either cannot or will not get by honest labour. Compare Pro 10:4.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
24. slothful(Compare Margin),so called because he fails to meet his promises.
under tributenotdenoting legal taxes, but the obligation of dependence.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
The hand of the diligent shall bear rule,…. “Shall become rich”, so Jarchi interprets it, according to Pr 10:4; Through diligence men get riches, and through riches they arrive to power and authority over others: from apprentices and journeymen workmen they become masters of their business; diligent men become masters of families, and have servants and workmen under them; become magistrates in cities, and bear rule over their fellow citizens, and are advanced to places of power and authority in the commonwealth; see Pr 22:29;
but the slothful shall be under tribute; the “slothful” or “deceitful hand” l, for so it may be rendered and supplied; for usually such who are slothful, and do not care for business, get their living by deceitful methods, by tricking and sharping; and such become subject to others, to them that are diligent; hence said to be “under tribute”, or tributary; because those that are tributary are in subjection to those to whom they pay tribute.
l “Manus fraudulentiae”, Michaelis; “dolosa”, Montanus, Junius Tremellius, Mercerus, Gejerus “fraudulenta”, Tigurine version, Vatablus.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
We take Pro 12:24-28 together as a group. In these verses the subject is the means of rising (in the world), and the two ways, the one of which leads to error, and the other to life.
24 The land of the diligent attains to dominion,
But slothfulness will become tributary.
In Pro 10:4 was adj., but to standing beside it; here it is to be regarded as adj. to (sluggish hand) supplied from 24a, but may be equally regarded as a subst. (slothfulness) ( vid., at Pro 12:27). Regarding , vid., p. 211. signifies tribute and service, i.e., tributary service rendered to a master. In Pro 11:29 stands for it. It is still the experience of to-day, as it was of Solomon’s time, that slothfulness (indolence) brings down to a state of servitude, if not even deeper, but that vigorous activity raises to dominion or to the position of a master, i.e., to independence, wealth, respect, and power.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.
Note, 1. Industry is the way to preferment. Solomon advanced Jeroboam because he saw that he was an industrious young man, and minded his business, 1 Kings xi. 28. Men that take pains in study and serviceableness will thereby gain such an interest and reputation as will give them a dominion over all about them, by which means many have risen strangely. He that has been faithful in a few things shall be made ruler over many things. The elders, that labour in the word and doctrine, are worthy of double honour; and those that are diligent when they are young will get that which will enable them to rule, and so to rest, when they are old. 2. Knavery is the way to slavery: The slothful and careless, or rather the deceitful (for so the word signifies), shall be under tribute. Those that, because they will not take pains in an honest calling, live by their shifts and arts of dishonesty, are paltry and beggarly, and will be kept under. Those that are diligent and honest when they are apprentices will come to be masters; but those that are otherwise are the fools who, all their days, must be servants to the wise in heart.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
Diligence Vs Slothfulness
Verse 24 affirms that the diligent worker will prosper and advance to positions of authority, but the slothful man who deceitfully slows his pace will remain poor and dependent, 1Ki 11:28; Pro 6:6-11; Pro 10:4; Pro 13:4; Pro 24:30-34.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
MAIN HOMILETICS OF Pro. 12:24
THE REWARD OF DILIGENCE
I. What is here meant by diligence? It is not being always active, but active in the right directionactive in the right use of talents and opportunities. There is an activity that is worse than idleness, an activity that brings men into contempt and bondage instead of enabling them to rule themselves or others. Men may have great talent and keep it in constant exercise, and yet their diligent use of it may be destroying both themselves and others. A machine that is constructed to work in one direction may be very active in going in the opposite directionthis is worse than if it stood still, for it will certainly work injury to itself, and may do so to other things and to those who have to work it. A thief may be very diligent, but his diligent hand will not bring him to bear rule. It will probably, in the end, bring him into a most irksome servitude. There was once a Roman Emperor who was very active in catching flies; this was certainly not the diligence which would enable him to bear rule. If a man who is capable of a high and noble work spends his time in a childish and ignoble manner, he is not diligent although he may be very active. Diligence consists not in being very busy, but in being busy in what will build up our own moral nature and, as a necessity, bless our fellow-creatures. Moreover, diligence is not the right exercise of our talent or the wise use of our time at intervals, by fits and starts, but a constant and steady continuance of that exercise and activity.
II. The consequence of such diligence. He who is thus diligent will bear rule over the slothful manover the man who wastes his time or his talent.
1. This is right. Even the slothful man himself must, in his conscience, feel that he deserves to be ruled by the diligent. The human conscience will not sanction such wastesuch a destruction of character, and, while it is allowed to speak at all, will utter its testimony against it. And all impartial judges must concede that it is the just reward of diligencethat, when a man has rightly used that which the Great Ruler of the universe has committed to his trust, it is right that he should receive the award, Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things (Mat. 25:21).
2. It is necessary. First, for the slothful man himself. When he is under the rule of a diligent man he is doing better with his life than if he were left to himself; he is compelled to act, whether he will or not, and he has the guidance of the wisdom of another when his slothfulness has prevented him from gaining any of his own. His slothfulness grows greater, and therefore his guilt is increased every day that he is his own master. His powers will become more and more incapable of being exercised the longer they are unused, and the only thing that can save him from being entirely buried in the grave of his own sloth is that he become a servant to a diligent man. Secondly, for humanity in general. A slothful man in power is a curse to society. If he is a husband and father he is a curse to his children; if he is a master he is a curse to his servants, and will endanger their characters and industrious habits. Those who rule ought to be wise, and no slothful man can be a wise man.
OUTLINES AND SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS
Diligent; from a root meaning to cut. Hence the idea of something incisive or decided. The primary idea is promptness or determination. Sloth; primarily remissness or what is indecisive. In this world, diligence puts a man at the head. In the eternal world, it will have made the man a king, and made all hell, and of course, all sloth, under tribute to him.Miller.
This was Josephs road to bearing rule (chap. Pro. 22:29). But if it does not raise in the world, it will command in its own sphere. The faithful steward is made ruler over his lords household (Mat. 24:45-47). The active trader bears rule over many cities (Ib. Pro. 25:21). Diligence, therefore, is not a moral virtue separate from religion, but rather a component part of it.Bridges.
The slothful are like Issachar, who saw that the rest was good, and bowed down his shoulder to bear, and became a servant to tribute; by their laziness they expose themselves to want, and reduce themselves to a slavish dependence on those who, through the blessing of God on their own diligence, or on that of their fathers, are in better circumstances. Spiritual sloth weakens men, and exposes them to the spiritual sloth of their spiritual enemies. We must be strong, resolute, and active, if we would escape the tyranny of the rulers of the darkness of this world (Eph. 6:10-18).Lawson.
The comparison is suggested by the contrast common in most ancient monarchies in the east, between the condition of a conquered race, compelled to pay heavy taxes in money or in kind (like the Canaanites in Israel, Jos. 16:10; Jdg. 1:30-33), and that of the freedom of their conquerors from such burdens. The proverb indicates that beyond all political divisions of this nature there lies an ethical law. The slothful descend inevitably to pauperism and servitude. The prominence of this compulsory labour under Solomon (1Ki. 9:21), gives a special significance to the illustration.Plumptre.
Fuente: The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary Edited by Joseph S. Exell
(24) Under tribute.Like the descendants of the Amorites and other former inhabitants of Canaan, by whose forced labour Solomon executed his great works (1Ki. 9:20-21). A Hebrew from poverty might be reduced to slavery (Lev. xxv, 39),
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
24. Diligent bear rule Diligence procures wealth and promotion; idleness brings poverty and dependence. The word rendered “slothful” also means deceitful, or fr audulent. They are often connected sloth frequently leading to fraud. In the East a conquered race were compelled to pay heavy taxes, while their conquerors were comparatively free from such burdens. Solomon’s familiarity with this fact may have suggested the illustration here.
Under tribute “Shall be obliged to serve.” Zockler. Comp. 1Ki 9:21-22; Jos 16:10; Judges 31:30, 33.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
The Physical Body of Man: Diligence This section places emphasis upon man’s physical body. The heart of man has been emphasized in Pro 12:1-12 and the mind has been emphasized in Pro 12:13 to Pro 13:5. We have passed a similar group of proverbs that placed emphasis upon man’s physical body in Pro 10:27 to Pro 11:22. However, these verses focused upon a long life. The proverbs found in Pro 12:24 to Pro 13:4 will focus upon diligence.
Pro 12:24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.
Pro 12:24
Pro 12:24 “but the slothful shall be under tribute” Comments – The slothful man never has or keeps success in his life, but rather, he is a servant and in debt to those around him.
Pro 12:26 The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.
Pro 12:26
Pro 12:27 The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.
Pro 12:27
Pro 12:27 “but the substance of a diligent man is precious” Comments – He is a good steward of the things that God gives him. He takes care of material things and is gracious to God for them. He sees that the things that God has given to him are precious. In addition, the peers of a diligent man perceive that his goods are precious. For example, I was in the office of a travel agent today in order to purchase tickets for a trip (May 31, 2004). I was referred to use a particular person in a particular travel agency in town. When my wife and I arrived at their office, we immediately recognized one very busy and organized and well dressed individual. We immediately knew that this was the person that was recommended to us as a good travel agent to work with. All other employees in the office looked to him for advice. Even the boss walked in and proudly walked by him. This is because everyone in the office perceived that this man’s time, counsel and work was the most important in the office. Not only did this diligent man value his time and use it wisely, but all of his co-workers and his boss perceived the same value in his work.
Pro 12:27 Practical Application Pro 12:27 speaks of stewardship. God does not always give to us everything that we want immediately. We must labor and be found faithful before God will entrust us with His blessings and riches (note how Paul talks about this faithfulness in 1Ti 1:12). Otherwise, something easily gained is often despised. For example, I spent many years working and repairing homes and apartments. My tools became very precious to me. I had worked hard to purchase each one of them. I have seen teenagers who were given new cars and possessions by their wealthy parents just to have them wrecked and damages by undisciplined and slothful behaviour.
1Ti 1:12, “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;”
God is a good steward of His blessings and He gives them to us as we work to be faithful with what He has already given to us.
Spiritual Application – After having watched Mel Gibson’s movie The Passion of the Christ (released 2004) today for the first time, I was overwhelmed, as were all who have seen this drama of Jesus’ suffering and death, of the pain He suffered at the hands of cruel men. How much does He now have compassion upon us when we are tempted into sin. He understands every ounce of emotions and temptation that we endure. He is willing to have compassion upon us when we fall and stumble for the price He paid through His suffering was incredible. The amount of effort and sacrifice He endured to purchase us as His possession will take eternity to be fully told to us. Remember in Pro 12:27 how we are told that to a diligent man his substance is precious. He was diligent to purchase us through His shed blood, so how much more precious we are to Him as His purchased possession.
Fuente: Everett’s Study Notes on the Holy Scriptures
v. 24. The hand of the diligent shall bear rule,
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
Pro 12:24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.
Ver. 24. The hand of the diligent shall bear rule, ] i.e., It shall make rich, and so get preferment; for, regina pecunia; money bears the mastery, and is a common meddler in most businesses. Agathocles, by his industry, became king of Sicily, Cromwell came to be earl of Essex, Cranmer came to be archbishop of Canterbury, &c.
But the slothful (or deceitful) shall be under tribute.] Cajetan renders it, Dolus erit ad liquefactionem; – Deceitful dealing shall melt to nothing. The same word a signifieth both melting and tribute, because too much tribute wastes men’s estates; as when the spleen swells, the rest of the body consumes. King John’s exactors received from his subjects no less sums of curses than of coin. He gathered money, the sinews of war; but lost their affections, the joints of peace. He had a troublesome reign, ill-beloved of his people, and far a less king, only by striving to be more than he was, the just reward of violations; what tribute he paid to the Pope’s legate at his absolution (eight thousand marks, besides other huge sums, insomuch as that John Florentinus, the legate, was nicknamed Ferentinus, for bearing away so much money) I need not here relate. b And yet this king was not slothful (for his endless turmoils kept his body still in motion, his mind in passions, and his prowess in use); c deceitful, I cannot deny him, in breaking promise with his subjects about their just liberties. But a great part of that blame may well lie upon his court parasites, who suggested, that now he was a king without a kingdom, a lord without a dominion, and a subject to his subjects. Wicked counsellors! as if it were not enough to be above men, but to be above mankind, as those princes would be that would not be under the law.
a tributum, sic dictum quia paulatim liquescere facit facultates. – Buxtorf.
b Mat. Paris.
c Speed.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Pro 12:24
Pro 12:24
“The hand of the diligent shall bear rule; But the slothful shall be put under taskwork.”
The mention of taskwork here reminds us that, “Forced labor was Solomon’s own inglorious introduction in Israel.” We might add that it was also the sin that divided the kingdom and disrupted the reign of Rehoboam, Solomon’s son.
Pro 12:24. The diligent bear rule in the community, in business, in the church, etc. See these two classes in the Parable of the Pounds (Luk 19:12-24). Before Esau and Jacob were born, God predicted that the elder (Esau) would serve the younger (Jacob) (Gen 25:23). Jacob was diligent (aggressive to get ahead, and he used every opportunity and every means at his disposal to do so), but Heb 12:16 calls Esau a profane person, who for one mess of meat sold his own birthright. What is Gods evaluation of diligence and indolence? I love Jacob; but Esau I hated (Mal 1:2-3).
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
hand: Pro 10:4, Pro 13:4, Pro 17:2, Pro 22:29, 1Ki 11:28, 1Ki 12:20
but: Pro 12:27, Pro 19:15, Pro 21:25, Pro 21:26, Pro 22:13, Pro 24:30-34, Pro 26:13-16
slothful: or, deceitful
Reciprocal: Pro 14:23 – all Pro 26:14 – General Ecc 10:18 – General Heb 6:12 – ye
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Pro 12:24. The hand of the diligent shall bear rule Industry is the way to preferment. An instance of which we have 1Ki 11:28, where we learn that Solomon advanced Jeroboam because he saw he was an industrious young man. Men that take pains in an honest employment, and especially those that labour to be useful to others, will thereby gain such an interest and reputation, as will give them a superiority over all about them. Thus many have risen strangely; and he that has been faithful in a few things has been made ruler over many things. And those who are diligent while they are young, frequently procure that wealth and power which enable them to rule, and so to rest, when they are old; but the slothful shall be under tribute Or, rather, the deceitful, as signifies. He terms the slothful deceitful, because deceit and idleness are generally companions; and such persons seek to gain by fraud, by their shifts and arts of dishonesty, what they either cannot, or will not, get by honest labour.