Proverbs 26:14 Meaning and Explanation
“As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The lazy person rolls over in bed as easily as a door swings on its hinges—endless motion without progress.
The Context of Proverbs 26:14
The verse expands the portrait of the slothful person, showing how their nature extends from excuse to action.
What Does Proverbs 26:14 Mean?
A door on hinges turns freely but goes nowhere. The slothful person, lying in bed, moves frequently but accomplishes nothing. He shifts position easily and repeatedly, yet never rises to work. The restless motion masks total inaction.
The image captures the paradox of sloth: frenetic in comfort, frozen when effort is required. The slothful finds many ways to move without moving forward. His hinge-like turning in bed becomes his life's trajectory—circular, habitual, and barren.
Proverbs 26:14 in the Original Language
tzir (צִיר), 'hinges'—the mechanism that allows door movement, emphasizing pivoting rather than progress.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 26:14
What does Proverbs 26:14 mean?
The lazy person rolls over in bed as easily as a door swings on its hinges—endless motion without progress.
What is the context of Proverbs 26:14?
The verse expands the portrait of the slothful person, showing how their nature extends from excuse to action.