Lux Domini
Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.

What does Proverbs 6:8 mean?

Diligence in business is every man's wisdom and duty; not so much that he may attain worldly wealth, as that he may not be a burden to others, or a scandal to the church. The ants are more diligent than slothful men.

Key themes

Anxiety and fearWisdomJustice and mercyFear of the Lord

Read with

Keep this verse inside Proverbs 6:6-8 and alongside a few nearby related passages.

Commentary on Proverbs 6:8

Provideth her meat in the summer,.... Against the winter, of which it is mindful, when it never comes out of its place, having in the summer time got a sufficiency laid up in cells for its use: she toils in the heat of summer to get in her provision for the winter, being sensible that nothing is to be gotten then; she works at it night and day while the season lasts; so diligent is it in laying up its stores at the proper opportunity (l); and gathereth her food in the harvest; the time when corn is ripe, and is shed on the earth; this it gathereth, and lays up in its repositories against a time of need.

Key words

Provideth

Provideth her meat in the summer,.

summer

Provideth her meat in the summer,.

Context in Proverbs 6

Show chapter context

Proverbs 6 belongs to the early movement of the book, especially the section often described as fatherly discourses on wisdom. Proverbs offers compact instruction on speech, work, wealth, friendship, sex, discipline, justice, and wisdom as a way of life before God. Read this chapter with the wider themes of wisdom, fear of the Lord, and speech in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.

wisdomfear of the Lordspeechdiscipline

Explore by topic

Bible verses about anxiety and fear

Verses for readers searching for biblical language about fear, worry, troubled thoughts, and the call to trust God under pressure.

Bible verses about wisdom

Verses on the fear of the Lord, wise speech, practical judgment, teachability, and the difference between biblical wisdom and mere cleverness.

Bible verses about justice and mercy

Key texts on public righteousness, neighbor-love, social ethics, compassion, and the prophetic refusal to separate worship from justice.