Proverbs 10:4

“He becometh poor that dealeth [with] a slack hand, etc.] That is either remiss in giving to the necessities of others, according to his abilities, and as cases require; or that is negligent and slothful in his business. Or, “that worketh with a deceitful hand”; or, “with a hand of deceit”f261, as it may be rendered; who pretends to work, but does not; makes a show as if he did, but acts deceitfully; or who uses many tricking and deceitful ways and methods to live, as usually slothful persons do. Aben Ezra observes, it may be rendered and interpreted, “he becomes poor that makes a deceitful balance”; thinking to enrich himself by such fraudulent practices: or, as others, “a deceitful balance…”

“slack--literally, "deceitful," failing of its purpose (compare Hos 7:16). maketh rich--(compare Pro 10:22).”

“Slack - The word is elsewhere translated as “deceitful” Job 13:7; Psalms 120:2-3; Hosea 7:16; Jeremiah 48:10. The two thoughts run easily into each other. return to 'Top of Page'”

“10:4-5 Lazy people are foolish, while hard workers are wise (see also 10:26; 26:13-16).”

“becometh: Pro 6:6-11, Pro 11:24, Pro 12:24, Pro 19:15, Pro 19:24, Pro 20:4, Pro 20:13, Pro 24:30-34; Ecc 10:18; Joh 6:27; Heb 6:11, Heb 6:12; Pe2 1:5-10 with a slack hand: That is, slothfully and negligently. but: Pro 13:4, Pro 21:5; Co1 15:58 Proverbs 10:5”

“There follow two proverbs which say how one man fails and another succeeds: He becomes poor who bears a sluggish hand; But the hand of the diligent maketh rich. These three proverbs, Pro 19:15; Pro 12:24, Pro 12:27, are similar. From the last two it is seen that רמיּה is a subst., as also from Psa 120:2. (לשׁון רמיּה, from a crafty tongue) that it is an adject., and from Lev 14:15. (where כּף is fem.) that it may be at the same time an adject. here also. The masc. is רמי, like טרי to טריּה ot , but neither of these occur; "the fundamental idea is that of throwing oneself down lazily, when one with unbent muscles holds himself no longer erect and stretched, Arab. taramy" (Fl.). The…”