The Meaning of Proverbs 18:9 Explained

Proverbs 18:9

KJV: He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.

YLT: He also that is remiss in his work, A brother he is to a destroyer.

Darby: He also who is indolent in his work is brother of the destroyer.

ASV: He also that is slack in his work Is brother to him that is a destroyer.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

He also that is slothful  in his work  is brother  to him that is a great  waster. 

What does Proverbs 18:9 Mean?

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 18

1  A fool delights not in understanding

What do the individual words in Proverbs 18:9 mean?

Also He who is slothful in his work a brother is to him who is great a destroyer
גַּ֭ם מִתְרַפֶּ֣ה בִמְלַאכְתּ֑וֹ אָ֥ח ה֝֗וּא לְבַ֣עַל מַשְׁחִֽית

גַּ֭ם  Also 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: גַּם  
Sense: also, even, indeed, moreover, yea.
מִתְרַפֶּ֣ה  He  who  is  slothful 
Parse: Verb, Hitpael, Participle, masculine singular
Root: רָפָה  
Sense: to sink, relax, sink down, let drop, be disheartened.
בִמְלַאכְתּ֑וֹ  in  his  work 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, feminine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: מְלָאכָה  
Sense: occupation, work, business.
אָ֥ח  a  brother 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: אָח  
Sense: brother.
לְבַ֣עַל  to  him  who  is  great 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: בָּעַל 
Sense: owner, husband, lord.
מַשְׁחִֽית  a  destroyer 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: שָׁחַת  
Sense: to destroy, corrupt, go to ruin, decay.