Proverbs 19:24 Meaning and Explanation
“A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The lazy person is so idle he won't even lift his hand to feed himself.
The Context of Proverbs 19:24
Extreme laziness leads to paralysis and self-neglect.
What Does Proverbs 19:24 Mean?
The image is almost comical: a man so devoted to sloth that he keeps his hand tucked in his cloak and can't be bothered to raise it to his mouth. This is extreme idleness—it moves beyond mere lack of ambition into a kind of paralysis. He has the physical capacity to act (he has hands) but lacks the will even to perform the most basic self-care, feeding himself.
The verse exaggerates to make a point: sloth, taken to its logical conclusion, becomes self-destructive paralysis. It's not a harmless condition but one that leads to deprivation and loss. The lazy person gradually loses not just opportunity but the will and habit of caring for himself. The verse serves as a warning: don't dismiss laziness as a minor fault; recognize that it compounds into ruin.
Proverbs 19:24 in the Original Language
Atzlan (עָצְלָן), 'slothful man' — the habitually lazy person; one who chooses inaction over effort.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 19:24
What does Proverbs 19:24 mean?
The lazy person is so idle he won't even lift his hand to feed himself.
What is the context of Proverbs 19:24?
Extreme laziness leads to paralysis and self-neglect.