Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.
Read it in contextWarnings against Foolishness
Start reading at Proverbs 6:1 (Proverbs 6:1 to Proverbs 6:19).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Extended appeals introduce the moral and relational setting in which the shorter sayings should be read.
6:1My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,
6:2Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.
6:3Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend.
6:4Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.
6:5Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.
6:6Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
6:7Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
6:8Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
6:9How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
6:10Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
6:11So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.
6:12A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.
6:13He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;
6:14Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.
6:15Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.
6:16These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
6:17A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
6:18An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
6:19A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Solomon is the principal named contributor, with additional sayings of the wise, Agur, and King Lemuel's mother's instruction. Hezekiah's men are credited with copying a collection of Solomon's proverbs. Biblical references: Proverbs 1:1; Proverbs 22:17; Proverbs 25:1; Proverbs 30:1; Proverbs 31:1. stated in the text
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Proverbs 1:1–9:18): The teacher or parent addresses a son or pupil; Wisdom and the opposing seductive voices are personified within the instruction. These speeches train hearers rather than narrate a gathering of every person used as an example. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Learners seeking wisdom, especially the young and inexperienced, as well as wise readers seeking further understanding. The repeated son-address presents parental or teacherly instruction. Biblical references: Proverbs 1:4; Proverbs 1:5; Proverbs 1:8. stated in the text
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? Warnings against Foolishness. Read Proverbs 6:1 through Proverbs 6:19 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Extended appeals introduce the moral and relational setting in which the shorter sayings should be read. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The book identifies more than one collection, including proverbs copied by Hezekiah's men. It does not give a date for the origin of every individual saying. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? The instruction draws on household, workplace, city gate, court, and other everyday settings. Many sayings describe a general situation rather than one dated incident. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Warnings against Foolishness (Proverbs 6:1 to Proverbs 6:19).
Start reading at Proverbs 6:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The New Testament identifies Christ with the wisdom of God. Relating wisdom instruction to Him is a canonical connection; the personification of wisdom should not automatically be treated as a literal description of Christ's origin. See Proverbs 25:1, 1 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Corinthians 1:30. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Practice truthful speech, teachability, justice, diligence, and self-control. Read proverbial generalizations with their genre in view rather than as guarantees that ignore circumstance or the book's other sayings. interpretation
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Proverbs 6
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Proverbs identifies several collections and contributors. Its sayings teach wisdom in conduct; a general observation is not automatically an unconditional promise for every individual circumstance. Read contrasts and parallel lines together. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
FocusThe fear of the LORD and the choice of a path
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Extended appeals introduce the moral and relational setting in which the shorter sayings should be read.
FocusThe fear of the LORD and the choice of a path
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. Extended appeals introduce the moral and relational setting in which the shorter sayings should be read.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Proverbs
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Proverbs identifies several collections and contributors. Its sayings teach wisdom in conduct; a general observation is not automatically an unconditional promise for every individual circumstance. Read contrasts and parallel lines together.