Proverbs 24:31 Meaning and Explanation
“And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The neglected land is overgrown with weeds and fallen into complete disrepair.
The Context of Proverbs 24:31
The parable unfolds the complete ruin of the slothful person.
What Does Proverbs 24:31 Mean?
Thorns and nettles choke out the vineyard. What should yield grapes produces only stinging plants. The stone wall—built by previous labor to protect and define the property—lies broken. All of this happened through inaction, not action. Laziness is not passive; it is destructive.
This vivid image shows that indolence compounds. A field left unattended does not simply stay as it was; it deteriorates rapidly into uselessness.
Proverbs 24:31 in the Original Language
nettles (קימוש qimosh) — stinging plants or weeds that overrun neglected fields.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 24:31
What does Proverbs 24:31 mean?
The neglected land is overgrown with weeds and fallen into complete disrepair.
What is the context of Proverbs 24:31?
The parable unfolds the complete ruin of the slothful person.