Proverbs 12:24

The diligent ¹  person ²  will rule, but the slothful ³  will become a slave. ⁴ 

1Ki 11:28; 1Ki 12:20; Pr 10:4; Pr 12:27; Pr 13:4; Pr 17:2; Pr 19:15; Pr 21:25,26; Pr 22:13; Pr 22:29; Pr 24:30-34; Pr 26:13-16

¹ tn The term חָרַץ (kharats, “diligent”) means (1) literally: “to cut; to sharpen,” (2) figurative: “to decide” and “to be diligent. It is used figuratively in Proverbs for diligence. The semantic development of the figure may be understood thus: “cut, sharpen” leads to “act decisively” which leads to “be diligent.” By their diligent work they succeed to management. The diligent rise to the top, while the lazy sink to the bottom.

² tn Heb “the hand of the diligent.” The term “hand” is a synecdoche of part (= hand) for the whole (= person): diligent person. The hand is emphasized because it is the instrument of physical labor; it signifies the actions and the industry of a diligent person – what his hand does.

³ tn Heb “deceitful.” The term refers to one who is not diligent; this person tries to deceive his master about his work, which he has neglected.

⁴ tn Heb “will be for slave labor.” The term מַס (mas, “slave labor”) refers to a person forced into labor from slavery.