Lexical Summary atsel: sluggard, lazy, lazy one Original Word: עָצֵל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance slothful, sluggard From atsal; indolent -- slothful, sluggard. see HEBREW atsal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom atsel Definition sluggish, lazy NASB Translation lazy (1), lazy one (1), sluggard (12). Brown-Driver-Briggs עָצֵל14 adjective sluggish, lazy; — always ׳י absolute; — ׳אִישׁעֿ Proverbs 24:30; elsewhere substantive sluggard Proverbs 6:6,9 10t. Prov + ׳הֶע Proverbs 10:26. Topical Lexicon Definition and Central Theme עָצֵל portrays the habitual sluggard of Proverbs—one who shrinks from constructive effort and thus violates the created order of purposeful labor. His indolence is moral, not merely physical; it springs from misplaced desire, self-deception, and an unwillingness to heed wisdom’s call. Occurrences and Literary Setting The term appears fourteen times, all in Proverbs (6:6; 6:9; 10:26; 13:4; 15:19; 19:24; 20:4; 21:25; 22:13; 24:30; 26:13; 26:14; 26:15; 26:16). These sayings are scattered through the main Solomonic collection (10:1–22:16), the sayings of the wise (22:17–24:34), and the later Hezekian appendix (25:1–29:27). The concentration in wisdom literature underscores that laziness is not a social inconvenience but a breach of godly wisdom. Character Portrait of the Sluggard • Spiritually dull: “How long will you lie there, O sluggard?” (Proverbs 6:9). Consequences of Laziness 1. Sudden poverty—“and need like a bandit” (6:11; 24:34). Contrasts with Diligence and Wisdom Proverbs pits the sluggard against the diligent (10:4), the upright (15:19), and the wise (21:20). Diligence is a pathway cleared of thorns; laziness is a barricaded alley. The ant becomes wisdom’s living parable, showing that foresight, initiative, and perseverance reflect the fear of the LORD. Theological and Redemptive Significance Work is woven into creation (Genesis 2:15) and affirmed in redemption (Ephesians 2:10). Laziness therefore rejects both God’s design and His purpose for human stewardship. In light of Christ, who declared, “My Father is always at His work, and I too am working” (John 5:17), the believer is redeemed from sloth to serve (Titus 2:14). New-covenant exhortations—“If anyone is unwilling to work, neither shall he eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10)—echo Proverbs, demonstrating canonical unity. Practical Ministry Application • Discipleship: use Proverbs 6 and 26 to expose self-deception and cultivate disciplines of prayer, study, and vocation. Key References • Proverbs 6:6-8 – “Go to the ant, O sluggard; observe her ways and be wise. Without commander, overseer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer; she gathers her food at harvest.” Forms and Transliterations הֶ֝עָצֵ֗ל העצל וְ֝עָצֵ֗ל ועצל עָ֭צֵל עָצֵ֑ל עָצֵ֣ל עָצֵ֥ל ׀ עצל ‘ā·ṣêl ‘āṣêl aTzel he‘āṣêl he·‘ā·ṣêl heaTzel veaTzel wə‘āṣêl wə·‘ā·ṣêlLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Proverbs 6:6 HEB: נְמָלָ֥ה עָצֵ֑ל רְאֵ֖ה דְרָכֶ֣יהָ NAS: to the ant, O sluggard, Observe KJV: to the ant, thou sluggard; consider INT: the ant sluggard Observe her ways Proverbs 6:9 Proverbs 10:26 Proverbs 13:4 Proverbs 15:19 Proverbs 19:24 Proverbs 20:4 Proverbs 21:25 Proverbs 22:13 Proverbs 24:30 Proverbs 26:13 Proverbs 26:14 Proverbs 26:15 Proverbs 26:16 14 Occurrences |