6:6 Go to the ant, you sluggard; 1
observe its ways and be wise!
6:8 yet it prepares its food in the summer;
it gathers at the harvest what it will eat. 2
30:25 ants are creatures with little strength,
but they prepare 3 their food in the summer;
55:6 Seek the Lord while he makes himself available; 4
call to him while he is nearby!
55:7 The wicked need to abandon their lifestyle 5
and sinful people their plans. 6
They should return 7 to the Lord, and he will show mercy to them, 8
and to their God, for he will freely forgive them. 9
1 sn The sluggard (עָצֵל, ’atsel) is the lazy or sluggish person (cf. NCV “lazy person”; NRSV, NLT “lazybones”).
2 tc The LXX adds a lengthy section at the end of the verse on the lesson from the bee: “Or, go to the bee and learn how diligent she is and how seriously she does her work – her products kings and private persons use for health – she is desired and respected by all – though feeble in body, by honoring wisdom she obtains distinction.” The Greek translator thought the other insect should be mentioned (see C. H. Toy, Proverbs [ICC], 124).
3 sn The wisdom of the ants is found in their diligent preparation (כּוּן, kun) of food supplies in the summer for times in the winter when food is scarce. See S. P. Toperoff, “The Ant in the Bible and Midrash,” Dor le Dor 13 (1985): 179-83. According to this, being prepared ahead of time is a mark of true wisdom.
4 tn Heb “while he allows himself to be found.” The Niphal form has a tolerative force here.
5 tn Heb “Let the wicked one abandon his way.” The singular is collective.
6 tn Heb “and the man of evil his thoughts.” The singular is collective.
7 tn Heb “let him return.” The singular is collective, meaning “let them.”
8 tn The imperfect with vav (ו) conjunctive after the jussive indicates purpose/result.
9 sn The appeal and promise of vv. 6-7 echoes the language of Deut 4:25-31; 30:1-10; and 1 Kgs 8:46-53, all of which anticipate the exile and speak of the prerequisites for restoration.