SEV Biblia, Chapter 20:4
¶ El perezoso no ara a causa del invierno; pedirá, pues, en la siega, y no hallará .
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Proverbs 20:4
Verse 4. The sluggard will not plough ] For other parts of this character, see the preceding chapter. It is seldom that there is a season of very cold weather in Palestine; very cold days sometimes occur, with wind, rain, and sleet. They begin their ploughing in the latter end of September, and sow their early wheat by the middle of October. And this is often the case in England itself. The meaning of the proverb is: the slothful man, under the pretense of unfavourable weather, neglects cultivating his land till the proper time is elapsed.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 4. The sluggard will not plough by reason of the cold , etc.] Or, “in the cold”; in the time of cold, as Aben Ezra; in the time of autumn, which is the time of ploughing, when it begins to be cold weather, and winter is drawing on: and this is discouraging to the sluggard, who does not care to take his hands out of his bosom to feed himself, and much less to plough; (see Proverbs 19:24); [therefore] shall he beg in harvest, and [have] nothing ; he shall ask of those who have ploughed and sowed, and are now reaping and gathering in their increase at harvest time; but they shall give him nothing; for such as will not work should not eat; and if a man will not plough and sow, he cannot expect to reap, nor should he be encouraged in begging. This holds good in spiritual things; such who have been slothful and sluggish about their spiritual affairs, unconcerned for the grace of God, and indolent in the use of means, or performance of duty, will ask when too late, or of wrong persons, and shall not have it; as the foolish virgins ask oil of the wise, when the bridegroom is come; and the rich man for water from Abraham, when in hell, ( Matthew 25:8 Luke 16:24).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 4 - He who labours and endures hardship in his seed-time for eternity, wil be properly diligent as to his earthly business.
Original Hebrew
מחרף 2779 עצל 6102 לא 3808 יחרשׁ 2790 ישׁאל 7592 בקציר 7105 ואין׃ 369
