What Does Proverbs 6:8 Mean in the King James?
Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
Provision takes shape in two acts: readiness sets the work in place, then gathering secures what the season yields.
THE MEANING
The verse shows you a life that meets each season with the work it calls for: preparation in summer, gathering at harvest. What sustains you can begin taking shape before the moment you need it, then be received and kept when it becomes available.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It dissolves the belief that provision appears only at the moment of need; here, readiness comes first and gathering follows the season.
THE ROOT
תָּכִין
tāḵîn
GROWS FROM
כון
To be firm or established; in this form, to prepare or set in place.
“Provideth” in this verse is tāḵîn. The word carries preparation as setting something in place, not simply having it appear. The verse’s provision begins with readiness before the harvest arrives.
ALSO GROWS
hēḵîn: Prepare, make ready.
הֵכִין
This form makes the ant’s summer work an act of readiness.
nāḵôn: Ready, firmly established.
נָכוֹן
It shows the root’s link between preparing something and having it set in place.
אָגְרָה
ʾāgerāh
GROWS FROM
אגר
To gather and store.
“Gathereth” in this verse is ʾāgerāh. This root names gathering as collecting into reserve. Proverbs uses the same root for the summer gatherer it calls wise, making the ant’s storing a picture of foresight.
ALSO GROWS
ʾāgar: Gather, store.
אָגַר
This is the action behind the food gathered for later use.
ʾōgēr: One who gathers or stores.
אֹגֵר
Proverbs 10:5 uses this form for the person who gathers in summer.
THE PATTERN
Provision grows when preparation and gathering meet the season that calls for each.
He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.THE THREAD
He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.Proverbs 10:5 uses אָגֵר (ʾōgēr, one who gathers or stores), from the same root אגר (ʾāgar, gather and store) as “gathereth” here. Its contrast makes the ant’s storing more than accumulation: it is readiness that recognizes the season.
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