Proverbs 26:13

“The slothful [man] saith, etc.] Within himself; or to such that excite him to diligence and industry, to go about the business of his calling, to till his field, and dress his vineyard. The Septuagint and Arabic versions add, “being sent into the way”; ordered by his master to go out to work, when he makes the following excuse: [there is] a lion in the way; a lion [is] in the streets; in the way to his field or vineyard, and in the streets, where his business lies or leads unto it: a very idle excuse this; since lions are usually in woods, forests, and desert places, and not in public roads, and much less in streets of cities; (see <202213> Proverbs 22:13). This may be applied to a man…”

“(Compare Pro 22:13).”

“Compare the marginal reference note. Here there is greater dramatic vividness in the two words used: (1) A roaring one, (2) a lion, more specifically. return to 'Top of Page'”

“26:13-16 The lazy person: See 6:6-11; 10:4-5; 15:19; 22:13.”

“Pro 15:19, Pro 19:15, Pro 22:13 Proverbs 26:14”

“There follows now a group of proverbs regarding the slothful: 13 The slothful saith there is a lion without, A lion in the midst of the streets; cf. the original of this proverb, Pro 22:13. שׁוּעל, to say nothing of שׁחל, is not the jackal; שׁחל is the bibl. name for the lion. בּין is the more general expression for בּקרב, Isa 5:25; by the streets he thinks of the rows of houses that form them. Proverbs 26:14”