Proverbs 12:24 (KJV) with Hebrew, Strong’s Concordance, and Deeper Insight
Proverbs 12:24 (KJV) :
“The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.”
Hebrew Text with Strong’s Concordance Numbers:
יַד־ (H3027) חָרוּצִ֥ים (H2742) תִּמְשׁ֑וֹל (H4910) וּרְמִיָּ֥ה (H7423) תִּהְיֶ֖ה (H1961) לָמַ֣ס (H4522)
Transliteration with Strong’s Concordance Numbers:
“Yad-H3027 charutzim-H2742 timshol-H4910; u’remiyyah-H7423 tihyeh-H1961 lamas-H4522.”
Key Hebrew Words and Their Meanings:
- יַד־ (Yad – H3027) → Hand, strength, power
- חָרוּצִ֥ים (Charutzim – H2742) → Diligent, hardworking, decisive
- תִּמְשׁ֑וֹל (Timshol – H4910) → Shall rule, govern, have dominion
- וּרְמִיָּ֥ה (U’remiyyah – H7423) → Slothful, lazy, deceitful
- תִּהְיֶ֖ה (Tihyeh – H1961) → Shall be, become, exist
- לָמַ֣ס (Lamas – H4522) → Forced labor, tribute, servitude
Deeper Insight & Meaning:
This proverb contrasts the rewards of diligence with the consequences of laziness:
- “The hand of the diligent shall bear rule”
- “Diligent” (Charutzim) refers to those who are hardworking, determined, and proactive.
- “Shall bear rule” (Timshol) means they will rise to leadership and authority.
- Diligent people succeed because they take initiative, responsibility, and persist in their efforts.
- “But the slothful shall be under tribute”
- “Slothful” (Remiyyah) describes those who are lazy, neglectful, or passive.
- “Under tribute” (Lamas) refers to forced labor, subjugation, or financial burden.
- Lazy individuals often struggle financially, ending up dependent on others, in debt, or under oppressive conditions.
Practical Application:
✅ Work Hard & Take Initiative – Hardworking people rise to positions of influence.
✅ Laziness Leads to Dependence – Those who avoid responsibility become burdened by financial struggles or servitude.
✅ Be a Leader, Not a Follower – Diligence leads to leadership, while laziness results in subjugation.
Cross-Reference Verses:
📖 Proverbs 10:4 (KJV): “He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.”
📖 Proverbs 13:4 (KJV): “The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.”
Conclusion:
Proverbs 12:24 teaches that diligence leads to success and leadership, while laziness results in servitude and hardship. It encourages hard work, responsibility, and initiative as the keys to financial and personal growth.
