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.
Lazarevic Ministries 