ScriptureDepth's study of Proverbs 6
“Go to the ant, you sluggard. Consider her ways, and be wise;”
Proverbs 6:6
The father tells his son to observe the ant's diligence, which calls him to act wisely and avoid laziness, as seen in the word 'sluggard'.
What Proverbs 6 is about
Proverbs chapter 6 offers practical wisdom attributed to Solomon. The chapter begins with advice against foolish financial commitments, specifically cautioning against unwise guarantees or pledges. Solomon urges rectification of these rash commitments to avoid potential ruin.
He then turns to the ant as an exemplar of diligence, encouraging hard work and preparation. The chapter also provides a warning on the dangers of laziness, illustrating the inevitable consequence of poverty it brings. Furthermore, Solomon warns about the destructive nature of a troublemaker, describing their deceitful tendencies and the discord they sow.
Additionally, he lists six things the Lord hates, including haughty eyes, lying, and sowing discord among brothers. The chapter concludes with exhortations against adultery, warning that it leads to personal and social ruin. Overall, themes of wisdom, diligence, and morality are evident, emphasizing a life aligned with God's ways.
Proverbs 6 at a glance
- Proverbs 6:1–5Warning Against Financial Entanglement
- Proverbs 6:6–11The Example of the Ant
- Proverbs 6:12–15Characteristics of a Worthless Person
- Proverbs 6:16–19Things the Lord Hates
- Proverbs 6:20–24The Value of Parental Instruction
- Proverbs 6:25–35Warnings Against Adultery
Key verse: Proverbs 6:6
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Proverbs 6 (WEB)
Warning Against Financial Entanglement Proverbs 6:1–5
1Verse 1. My son, if you have become collateral for your neighbor,if you have struck your hands in pledge for a stranger;2Verse 2. You are trapped by the words of your mouth.You are ensnared with the words of your mouth.3Verse 3. Do this now, my son, and deliver yourself,since you have come into the hand of your neighbor.Go, humble yourself.Press your plea with your neighbor.4Verse 4. Give no sleep to your eyes,nor slumber to your eyelids.5Verse 5. Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter,like a bird from the snare of the fowler.
The Example of the Ant Proverbs 6:6–11
6Verse 6. Go to the ant, you sluggard.Consider her ways, and be wise;7Verse 7. which having no chief, overseer, or ruler,8Verse 8. provides her bread in the summer,and gathers her food in the harvest.9Verse 9. How long will you sleep, sluggard?When will you arise out of your sleep?10Verse 10. A little sleep, a little slumber,a little folding of the hands to sleep:11Verse 11. so your poverty will come as a robber,and your scarcity as an armed man.
Characteristics of a Worthless Person Proverbs 6:12–15
12Verse 12. A worthless person, a man of iniquity,is he who walks with a perverse mouth;13Verse 13. who winks with his eyes, who signals with his feet,who motions with his fingers;14Verse 14. in whose heart is perverseness,who devises evil continually,who always sows discord.15Verse 15. Therefore his calamity will come suddenly.He will be broken suddenly, and that without remedy.
Things the Lord Hates Proverbs 6:16–19
16Verse 16. There are six things which Yahweh hates;yes, seven which are an abomination to him:17Verse 17. haughty eyes, a lying tongue,hands that shed innocent blood;18Verse 18. a heart that devises wicked schemes,feet that are swift in running to mischief,19Verse 19. a false witness who utters lies,and he who sows discord among brothers.
The Value of Parental Instruction Proverbs 6:20–24
20Verse 20. My son, keep your father’s commandment,and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching.21Verse 21. Bind them continually on your heart.Tie them around your neck.22Verse 22. When you walk, it will lead you.When you sleep, it will watch over you.When you awake, it will talk with you.23Verse 23. For the commandment is a lamp,and the law is light.Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,24Verse 24. to keep you from the immoral woman,from the flattery of the wayward wife’s tongue.
Warnings Against Adultery Proverbs 6:25–35
25Verse 25. Don’t lust after her beauty in your heart,neither let her captivate you with her eyelids.26Verse 26. For a prostitute reduces you to a piece of bread.The adulteress hunts for your precious life.27Verse 27. Can a man scoop fire into his lap,and his clothes not be burned?28Verse 28. Or can one walk on hot coals,and his feet not be scorched?29Verse 29. So is he who goes in to his neighbor’s wife.Whoever touches her will not be unpunished.30Verse 30. Men don’t despise a thief,if he steals to satisfy himself when he is hungry:31Verse 31. but if he is found, he shall restore seven times.He shall give all the wealth of his house.32Verse 32. He who commits adultery with a woman is void of understanding.He who does it destroys his own soul.33Verse 33. He will get wounds and dishonor.His reproach will not be wiped away.34Verse 34. For jealousy arouses the fury of the husband.He won’t spare in the day of vengeance.35Verse 35. He won’t regard any ransom,neither will he rest content, though you give many gifts.
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in Proverbs 6
wisdom
In vv. 6-8, the text directs attention to the ant as an example of wisdom through diligence. The ant 'provides her bread in the summer' and 'gathers her food in the harvest,' embodying foresight and industriousness. This serves to contrast with the 'sluggard,' who is warned against laziness in vv. 9-11, where the consequences of inaction lead to poverty. The chapter moves from this example to advice on avoiding pitfalls in life.
Explore wisdom in the Bible →diligence
In vv. 10-11, the text cautions against the dangers of laziness, stating that 'a little sleep, a little slumber' leads to poverty. This call to diligence is underscored by the vivid imagery of a gazelle escaping a hunter in v. 5, which conveys urgency in taking action. The ant in vv. 6-8 further exemplifies diligence by preparing for the future without the need for oversight, contrasting sharply with the sluggard's idle ways.
moral integrity
In vv. 12-15, the chapter describes a 'worthless person' characterized by deceit and malice, warning of the eventual calamity that will come upon such individuals. This theme is further developed in vv. 16-19, which list specific behaviors that Yahweh hates, including 'a lying tongue' and 'hands that shed innocent blood.' The text illustrates that moral integrity is essential, as the consequences of failing to uphold it lead to dire outcomes.
consequences of sin
In vv. 29-33, the text warns of the severe consequences associated with adultery, stating that 'whoever touches her will not be unpunished.' It describes the destructive nature of such actions, equating them to self-destruction and loss of reputation. The chapter portrays a vivid picture of the fallout from sin, with the imagery of a husband’s jealousy in v. 34 highlighting the emotional and relational devastation that sin can cause.
Chapter outline
How Proverbs 6 unfolds
Proverbs 6:1–5 Warning Against Financial Entanglement
A son is warned to free himself from financial obligations made in haste, as in verses 1-2, which describe being trapped by one's own words and command immediate action to escape such entanglements.
Proverbs 6:6–11 The Example of the Ant
The son is told to 'Go to the ant, you sluggard' and observe her ways, which leads to wisdom. He is warned that 'a little sleep' will result in poverty and scarcity.
Proverbs 6:12–15 Characteristics of a Worthless Person
Verses 12-15 outline the behavior of a worthless person, characterized by deceit and scheming, who ultimately faces sudden calamity as a consequence of their actions.
Proverbs 6:16–19 Things the Lord Hates
Verses 16-19 enumerate specific traits that Yahweh hates, such as 'haughty eyes' and 'a lying tongue', identifying moral failings that lead to broader societal discord.
Proverbs 6:20–24 The Value of Parental Instruction
In verses 20-24, the son is encouraged to adhere to his parents' teachings, with the commandments described as protective guidance that will provide wisdom and safety in life.
Proverbs 6:25–35 Warnings Against Adultery
Verses 25-35 warn of the destructive nature of adultery, explaining that involvement with an immoral woman leads to dire consequences, including loss of honor and severe repercussions from the wronged spouse.
Key verses
Proverbs 6:6The father tells his son to observe the ant's diligence, which calls him to act wisely and avoid laziness, as seen in the word 'sluggard'.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Proverbs 6
- observeIn v1, who is advised about becoming 'collateral' for a neighbor?
- observeWhat does the writer suggest a person should do in v3 to 'deliver yourself'?
- interpretIn vv. 16-19, what do the 'six things' indicate about the character Yahweh detests?
- interpretIn v32, what does it mean to be 'void of understanding' after committing adultery?
- applyWhen have you faced a situation where you felt trapped by your 'words' (v2)?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Proverbs 6
- Psalm 119Proverbs 6:23 and Psalm 119:105Both function as lamps: Proverbs 6:23 for the commandment is a lamp, while Psalm 119:105 your word is a lamp.
- 2 Timothy 3Proverbs 6:23 and 2 Timothy 3:16Both provide reproof: Proverbs 6:23 reproofs of instruction are the way of life, while 2 Timothy 3:16 for reproof, for correction.
- Proverbs 1Proverbs 6:20 and Proverbs 1:8Both emphasize parental instruction: Proverbs 6:20 keep your father’s commandment, while Proverbs 1:8 listen to your father’s instruction.
- Proverbs 4Proverbs 6:20 and Proverbs 4:20Both call for attention to teaching: Proverbs 6:20 don’t forsake your mother’s teaching, while Proverbs 4:20 turn your ear to my sayings.
- Proverbs 12Proverbs 6:17 and Proverbs 12:22Both condemn lying: Proverbs 6:17 lying tongue, while Proverbs 12:22 lying lips are an abomination to Yahweh.
- Proverbs 30Proverbs 6:6 and Proverbs 30:25Both commend the ant’s diligence: Proverbs 6:6 consider her ways, while Proverbs 30:25 yet they provide their food in the summer.
Related chapters
Chapters that connect with Proverbs 6
Elsewhere on ScriptureDepth
Where to go from here
- Proverbs: the whole bookProverbs trains character.
- Full Year Chronological Bible, day 154Day 154 of 365: Proverbs 5–8.
- WisdomWhat the Bible says about wisdom, with verses.
- Common Bible questionsThe questions people bring to Bible study, each answered from the text.
- Today's devotionalOne verse and a short reflection, new every morning.
Proverbs 6: frequently asked questions
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