Ecclesiastes 10 Commentary

Updated: Sun, 05/11/2025 - 18:31 By admin

CLICK VERSE
To go directly to that verse

THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES The Search for Significance The Quest for Contentment The Pursuit of Purpose
Exploration			Exhortation
All is Vanity	Vanity of Doing	Vanity of Having	Vanity of Being	Using Life Well	Source of True Living
Eccl 1:1-18	Eccl 2:1-26	Eccl 3:1-6:12	Eccl 7:1-9:18	Eccl 10:1-11:10	Eccl 12:1-14
Declaration of Vanity	Demonstration of Vanity		Deliverance from Vanity
Subject	Sermons		Summary
Fickleness of Life Versus Fear of the Lord
Place: "Under the Sun"
Decades of Searching (in the days of King Solomon) circa 936BC
King Solomon Author

Ecclesiastes 10:1 Dead flies make a perfumer's oil stink, so a little foolishness is weightier than wisdom and honor.

KJV Ecclesiastes 10:1 Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.

NKJ Ecclesiastes 10:1 Dead flies putrefy the perfumer's ointment, And cause it to give off a foul odor; So does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor.

NET Ecclesiastes 10:1 One dead fly makes the perfumer's ointment give off a rancid stench, so a little folly can outweigh much wisdom.

BGT Ecclesiastes 10:1 μυῖαι θανατοῦσαι σαπριοῦσιν σκευασίαν ἐλαίου ἡδύσματος τίμιον ὀλίγον σοφίας ὑπὲρ δόξαν ἀφροσύνης μεγάλης

LXE Ecclesiastes 10:1 Pestilent flies will corrupt a preparation of sweet ointment: and a little wisdom is more precious than great glory of folly.

CSB Ecclesiastes 10:1 Dead flies make a perfumer's oil ferment and stink; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

ESV Ecclesiastes 10:1 Dead flies make the perfumer's ointment give off a stench; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

NIV Ecclesiastes 10:1 As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

NLT Ecclesiastes 10:1 As dead flies cause even a bottle of perfume to stink, so a little foolishness spoils great wisdom and honor.

YLT Ecclesiastes 10:1 Dead flies cause a perfumer's perfume To send forth a stink; The precious by reason of wisdom -- By reason of honour -- a little folly!

NJB Ecclesiastes 10:1 One dead fly can spoil the scent-maker's oil: a grain of stupidity outweighs wisdom and glory.

NRS Ecclesiastes 10:1 Dead flies make the perfumer's ointment give off a foul odor; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

NAB Ecclesiastes 10:1 More weighty than wisdom or wealth is a little folly!

GWN Ecclesiastes 10:1 Dead flies will make a bottle of perfume stink, and then it is spoiled. A little foolishness outweighs wisdom and honor.

BBE Ecclesiastes 10:1 Dead flies make the oil of the perfumer give out an evil smell; more valued is a little wisdom than the great glory of the foolish.

RSV Ecclesiastes 10:1 Dead flies make the perfumer's ointment give off an evil odor; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

the ointment: Ex 30:34,35
a little foolishness: 2Ch 19:2 Ne 6:13 13:26 Mt 5:13-16 Ga 2:12-14

Related Passages:

Proverbs 22:1 A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, Favor is better than silver and gold.

1 Corinthians 5:6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough?

Galatians 5:9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough.

James 3:5-6 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.

Song 2:15 “Catch the foxes for us, The little foxes that are ruining the vineyards, While our vineyards are in blossom.”

Flies Make a Rancid Stench
A little sin can cause a big stink

A LITTLE FOLLY
A LOT OF DAMAGE

Dead flies make a perfumer's oil stink - Literally “makes stink makes bubble up” or “causes stench pours forth.” The picture is someone opening the bottle expecting sweet smell of perfumed oil, but instead receiving a stench that overwhelms the senses. Just a small dose of foolish behavior can outweigh (or undo) a life of wisdom and honor.

This proverb mirrors the broader biblical pattern:

Achan’s sin (Josh. 7) brought defeat to Israel.
Moses’ one act of disobedience (Num. 20) kept him from entering the Promised Land.
David’s sin with Bathsheba (2 Sam. 11) brought lifelong consequences, despite his wisdom.
Uzziah’s pride (2 Chr. 26) led to downfall after years of faithful leadership.

NET NOTE on stink - The verb בָּאַשׁ (ba’ash) means “to cause to stink; to turn rancid; to emit a stinking odor” (e.g., Exod 16:24; Ps 38:6; Eccl 10:1); see HALOT 107 s.v. באשׁ 1; BDB 93 s.v. בָּאַשׁ. It is related to the noun בְּאשׁ (bé’osh, “stench”; Isa 34:3; Joel 2:20; Amos 4:10); cf. HALOT 107 s.v. באשׁ; BDB 93 s.v. בְּאשׁ. The verbal root נבע means “to ferment” or “to emit; to pour out; to bubble; to belch forth; to cause to gush forth” (HALOT 665 s.v. נבע; BDB 615 s.v. נָבַע). The two terms יַבְאִישׁ יַבִּיעַ (yav’ish yabbia’, “to stink” and “to ferment”) create a hendiadys: a figurative expression in which two terms are used to connote one idea: “makes a rancid stench.” Several versions treat this as a hendiadys (Old Greek, Symmachus, Targum, Vulgate); however, the Syriac treats them as separate verbs. Most translations treat these as a hendiadys: “Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savor” (KJV); “Dead flies make a perfumer’s oil stink” (NASB); “dead flies give perfume a bad smell” (NIV); “Dead flies make the perfumer’s ointment give off an evil odor” (RSV); Dead flies make the perfumer’s ointment give off a foul odor” (NRSV); “Dead flies cause a perfumer’s perfume to send forth a stink” (YLT); “Dead flies make the perfumer’s ointment give off a foul odor” (NRSV). Others render both separately: “Dead flies make the perfumer’s sweet ointment rancid and ferment” (NEB); “Dead flies turn the perfumer’s ointment fetid and putrid” (NJPS).

So a little foolishness is weightier than wisdom and honor. The idea is not that a little folly is more valuable than much wisdom; but that a little folly can have more influence than great wisdom. Just a small dose of foolish behavior can outweigh (or undo) a life of wisdom and honor.

NET NOTE - weightier - Heb “carries more weight than”; or “is more precious than.” The adjective יָקָר (yaqar) denotes “precious; valuable; costly” (HALOT 432 s.v. יָקָר 2) or “weighty; influential” (BDB 430 s.v. יָקָר 4). The related verb denotes “to carry weight,” that is, to be influential (HALOT 432 s.v. יָקָר 2). The idea is not that a little folly is more valuable than much wisdom; but that a little folly can have more influence than great wisdom. It only takes one little mistake to ruin a life of great wisdom. The English versions understand it this way: “so a little foolishness is weightier than wisdom and honor” (NASB); “so a little folly outweighs massive wisdom” (NJPS); “so a little folly outweighs an abundance of wisdom” (MLB); “so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor” (RSV, NRSV, NIV); “so can a little folly make wisdom lose its worth” (NEB); “so a little folly annuls great wisdom” (ASV); “a single slip can ruin much that is good” (NAB); “so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honor” (KJV). The LXX rendered the line rather freely: τιμιον ὀλιγον σοφιἀ ὑπερ δοξαν ἀφροσυνης μεγαλην (“a little wisdom is more precious than great glory of folly”). This does not accurately represent the Hebrew syntax.

William Barrick - Ecclesiastes 10 A Final Reflection about Folly. In conclusion, the Preacher determines to fear God, obey God, and enjoy life (Eccl 9:1–12:14) Having discoursed on the nature and examples of wisdom (Eccl 9:10–18), Solomon turns to its opposite, foolishness in Eccl 10. The first verse of the chapter picks up where chapter 9 leaves off—with a comparative statement regarding wisdom and foolishness. In Eccl 9:18 he uses the “better than” type of proverbial statement to bring out the contrast between the success of wisdom and the destruction of good by foolishness. In Eccl 10:1, an illustrative proverb depicts dead flies corrupting the perfumer’s oil. In general, Eccl 10 reveals that the wisdom literature topic of the two ways (e.g., Psalm 1 contrasts the way of the righteous with the way of the wicked) applies to nations as much as to individuals.(1 Bartholomew, Ecclesiastes,) Recognizing Fools (Eccl 10:1–4) Whereas Eccl 9:18 refers to a community situation in which one sinner destroys what is good, Eccl 10:1 looks only at an individual situation.(Borrow Eaton, Ecclesiastes) The phrase “dead flies” could mean “deadly flies.” However, the proverb does not focus on their deadliness, but on their effect on the perfumed oil. (Borrow Eaton, Ecclesiastes) Since that is the obvious intent of the author, it means “dead flies.” (Borrow Murphy, Ecclesiastes) Flies were persistent pests in the ancient Near East. Landing on the surface of perfumed oil might result in their entanglement and death. The dead flies would spoil the oil. (Barton, Ecclesiastes) The text literally reads, “makes stink makes bubble up” or “causes stench pours forth.” That is, when someone opens the bottle of perfumed oil, the foul smell pours out of it, overwhelming the senses. Since ancient peoples used such oils to disguise the smell of decaying bodies (cp. 2Ch 16:14), the picture here might be that the oil itself exudes a fouler stench than even a decaying corpse. (7 Provan, Ecclesiastes) The fool’s “small mistake makes the smell of his folly greater than the fragrance of his wisdom.” (Borrow Eaton, Ecclesiastes) The truth thus conveyed is that a little thing can bring about unacceptable results. Other ways to express the proverb include: “an ounce of folly can destroy a ton of wisdom”; (Borrow Murphy, Ecclesiastes)) “it takes far less to ruin something than to create it”; (Borrow Kidner, A Time to Mourn) “it is easier to make a stink than to create sweetness”;(11 Kidner, A Time to Mourn,) or, “wisdom is acquired at great expense . . . but stupidity comes easy.” (Borrow Kelley The Burden of God)

🙏 “Guard the Oil” The sweet perfume of your life—your testimony, your wisdom, your legacy—can be spoiled not by a war, but by a small compromise: A careless word, A secret indulgence, An impulsive moment. “Dead flies” don’t come with fanfare—but they bring stench nonetheless. So Solomon urges you: Be alert. Be humble. Don’t justify “small” sins—they are the enemy of wisdom’s fragrance. Wisdom is precious, but easily corrupted. A small amount of foolishness can undo great honor. Guard your heart, especially in the little things. Reputation is fragile—handle it with care. Godly wisdom requires daily vigilance. Take small sins seriously—they can lead to big consequences. Maintain your integrity even in private, unseen moments. Don’t rest on your past wisdom—stay alert to present temptation. Restore what’s been spoiled through repentance and renewal in Christ. Pray daily for God to guard your mind and mouth from folly.

Ray Pritchard - Something New Under the Sun DEAD FLIES IN THE OLD SPICE Ecclesiastes 10:1-3

It isn't often that our house is plunged into crisis, but it happened just the other day when our refrigerator stopped working. Or to be more precise, when our refrigerator stopped keeping things cold. It was still working in the sense that the motor was humming and the light came on when you opened the door. But soon our ice melted into a pool of water, and all our frozen food slowly turned to yucky mush.

Time to call the repairman. We found a coupon offering $25 off any service call, made an appointment, and within several hours a friendly man arrived on our doorstep. He fiddled with this dial and that gizmo for a couple of minutes. Then he made a solemn announcement, "I think we may have a little friend caught in the fan." What little friend might that be? Sometimes a mouse will smell food and then get tangled in the condenser fan. End of mouse and end of cold air.

Sure enough, he was right. When he removed the bottom panel, there was our little friend, contorted upon the blades of death. Within ten minutes he had replaced the fan and was on his way. The bill came to just over $200.

As Solomon has noted, it doesn't take many flies to make the perfume stink. And it takes only a little rodent to make a big refrigerator fail. Similarly, a little sin can cause enormous damage.

Have you heard of Peter Jenkins? He's the man who walked across America. When he had finished his trip, someone asked him if he ever felt like quitting. He said yes, he felt that way many times. What was it that made him feel like quitting? The high mountains? The searing sun? The lonely nights? The possibility of danger? No, none of that. It was the sand in his shoes. It's not the big things that hurt us spiritually. It's the little things—the sand in the shoes—that we neglect to take care of.

Little things become big, irritations become annoyances, and annoyances become sore spots. Over time sore spots become open wounds of bitterness. The infection spreads until it controls your whole life.

These things happen because we let the sand stay in our shoes. Little molehills of frustration not dealt with soon become big mountains of bitterness. Make it a priority to deal with the little things before those little things become big.

Loving Lord, protect me today from making some stupid mistake that will dishonor You, hurt others, and cause me to sin. May I live so that I will have nothing to regret when this day is done. Amen.

SHINING THE LIGHT

Can you think of a foolish mistake you made that ended up hurting you and others? Name several positive lessons you have learned from your mistakes.
What is the greatest temptation you face right now?

MORE LIGHT FROM GOD'S WORD Read Numbers 32:23; Proverbs 28:13; and Ephesians 5:1-8.

Ecclesiastes 10:2 A wise man's heart directs him toward the right, but the foolish man's heart directs him toward the left.

KJV Ecclesiastes 10:2 A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.

NKJ Ecclesiastes 10:2 A wise man's heart is at his right hand, But a fool's heart at his left.

NET Ecclesiastes 10:2 A wise person's good sense protects him, but a fool's lack of sense leaves him vulnerable.

BGT Ecclesiastes 10:2 καρδία σοφοῦ εἰς δεξιὸν αὐτοῦ καὶ καρδία ἄφρονος εἰς ἀριστερὸν αὐτοῦ

LXE Ecclesiastes 10:2 A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.

CSB Ecclesiastes 10:2 A wise man's heart goes to the right, but a fool's heart to the left.

ESV Ecclesiastes 10:2 A wise man's heart inclines him to the right, but a fool's heart to the left.

NIV Ecclesiastes 10:2 The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left.

NLT Ecclesiastes 10:2 A wise person chooses the right road; a fool takes the wrong one.

YLT Ecclesiastes 10:2 The heart of the wise is at his right hand, And the heart of a fool at his left.

NJB Ecclesiastes 10:2 The sage's heart leads him aright, the fool's leads him astray.

NRS Ecclesiastes 10:2 The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left.

NAB Ecclesiastes 10:2 The wise man's understanding turns him to his right; the fool's understanding turns him to his left.

GWN Ecclesiastes 10:2 A wise person's heart leads the right way. The heart of a fool leads the wrong way.

BBE Ecclesiastes 10:2 The heart of the wise man goes in the right direction; but the heart of a foolish man in the wrong.

RSV Ecclesiastes 10:2 A wise man's heart inclines him toward the right, but a fool's heart toward the left.

wise: Ec 9:10 Pr 14:8 Lu 14:28-32
but: Ec 10:10,14 Pr 17:16 Lu 12:18-20

Related Passages:

Proverbs 4:23 Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.

Deuteronomy 5:32 “So you shall observe to do just as the LORD your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right or to the left.

Psalm 16:8 I have set the LORD continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Matthew 25:33 and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left.

Luke 6:45 “The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.

Proverbs 4:23 (in depth discussion) Watch (command) over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.

Toward which path is your heart
directing you, toward the right or the left?

ONE'S HEART'S DIRECTION
DETERMINES ONE'S DESTINY

A wise man's heart directs him toward the right, but the foolish man's heart directs him toward the left. - Young's Literal = "The heart of the wise is at his right hand, And the heart of a fool at his left." Solomon focuses on the inner compass—the heart—and how it directs behavior. Solomon uses heart twice, for one going to the right this is not a problem and defines this man as wise. But for one going to the left it is a problem and defines the man as foolish. The wise person’s inner character leads him in the right direction—morally, spiritually, and practically.

NET NOTE - Heb “a wise man’s heart is at his right hand.” The phrase “right hand” is a Hebrew idiom for the place of protection (e.g., Pss 16:8; 110:5; 121:5). In ancient warfare, the shield of the warrior on one’s right-hand side protected one’s right hand. Qoheleth’s point is that wisdom provides protection (e.g., Eccl 7:12).

William Barrick explains this as "The wise person possesses a mind attuned to the eternity that God has placed within it (Eccl 3:11). The foolish person, however, yields to the evil within."

but the foolish man's heart directs him toward the left. - The fool’s heart leads him toward error, trouble, or ruin, not necessarily in outward appearance, but in disposition and decision-making.

NET NOTE - Heb “and the heart of a fool is at his left hand.” The fool lacks the protection of wisdom which is at the right-hand side of the wise man (see note on “right hand” in the previous line). The wise man’s heart (i.e., good sense) protects him, but the fool is always getting into trouble.

Bob Utley on "the left" This term in Arabic means "unlucky" (cf. JPSOA). It denotes the north. These two terms are often used as imagery for deviating from the standard of God. God's truth or Torah was seen as a well-worn, clearly marked path (e.g., Ps. 119:105). Deviation from the path (in any direction) meant sin and rebellion (e.g., Deut. 9:12,16; 31:29). It became a cultural idiom (cf. 2 Sam. 2:21).

the wise person tends to or goes to the “right,”
but the fool to the opposite.

William Barrick - Yet another contrasting proverb opposes wisdom and foolishness (Eccl 10:2). Literally, the verse reads, “A wise man’s heart is at his right hand and a fool’s heart is at his left hand.” Translators handle the text in a variety of ways in the English versions, but all of them furnish the same basic concept: the wise person tends to or goes to the “right,” but the fool to the opposite. The “right” speaks of the correct route—a road to favor, while the “left” speaks of the path of error—a road to disfavor and rejection (Eccl 10:2; cp. Ge 48:13–14; Matt 25:32–34). Note that the text does not speak of the feet and walking, but of the heart and its inclination. The heart represents the inner person. The wise person possesses a mind attuned to the eternity that God has placed within it (Eccl 3:11). The foolish person, however, yields to the evil within (cp. Ec 8:11 and Ec 9:3). The axiom approximates that in Eccl 2:14a (“The wise man’s eyes are in his head, but the fool walks in darkness”).

🙏 Which Way Is Your Heart Pointing?” Your life doesn’t drift randomly. It flows from your heart. If your heart is humble before God, it will steer you wisely. If your heart resists truth, it will slowly veer off course, even when things “look fine” for a time. You might appear wise externally, but your heart knows the true direction. Ask God to renew your heart, that your compass would be aimed at what is right—even when it's hard. Your heart governs your direction—guard it carefully. Foolishness isn’t just ignorance—it’s a heart turned the wrong way. True discernment flows from a wise heart, not just a sharp mind. Daily choices reveal the trajectory of the heart (WHAT CHOICES DID YOU MAKE LAST WEEK?) Examine your heart daily—is it aligned with God's Word? Stay alert to small drifts—they show which direction your heart is leaning.

ILLUSTRATION - SEE DISCUSSION Beware of Slowly Drifting From Your First Love of Jesus

Ecclesiastes 10:3 Even when the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking and he demonstrates to everyone that he is a fool.

KJV Ecclesiastes 10:3 Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.

NKJ Ecclesiastes 10:3 Even when a fool walks along the way, He lacks wisdom, And he shows everyone that he is a fool.

NET Ecclesiastes 10:3 Even when a fool walks along the road he lacks sense, and shows everyone what a fool he is.

BGT Ecclesiastes 10:3 καί γε ἐν ὁδῷ ὅταν ἄφρων πορεύηται καρδία αὐτοῦ ὑστερήσει καὶ ἃ λογιεῖται πάντα ἀφροσύνη ἐστίν

LXE Ecclesiastes 10:3 Yea, and whenever a fool walks by the way, his heart will fail him, and all that he thinks of is folly.

CSB Ecclesiastes 10:3 Even when the fool walks along the road, his heart lacks sense, and he shows everyone he is a fool.

ESV Ecclesiastes 10:3 Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense, and he says to everyone that he is a fool.

NIV Ecclesiastes 10:3 Even as he walks along the road, the fool lacks sense and shows everyone how stupid he is.

NLT Ecclesiastes 10:3 You can identify fools just by the way they walk down the street!

YLT Ecclesiastes 10:3 And also, when he that is a fool Is walking in the way, his heart is lacking, And he hath said to every one, 'He is a fool.'

NJB Ecclesiastes 10:3 A fool walks down the road, he has no wit -- and everyone remarks, 'How silly he is!'

NRS Ecclesiastes 10:3 Even when fools walk on the road, they lack sense, and show to everyone that they are fools.

NAB Ecclesiastes 10:3 When the fool walks through the street, in his lack of understanding he calls everything foolish.

GWN Ecclesiastes 10:3 Even when a fool goes walking, he has no sense and shows everyone else that he's a fool.

BBE Ecclesiastes 10:3 And when the foolish man is walking in the way, he has no sense and lets everyone see that he is foolish.

RSV Ecclesiastes 10:3 Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense, and he says to every one that he is a fool.

and he: Ec 5:3 Pr 13:16 18:2,6 1Pe 4:4

Related Passages:

Luke 6:45 “The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.

Matthew 7:20 “So then, you will know them by their fruits.

Proverbs 13:16 Every prudent man acts with knowledge, But a fool displays folly.

Proverbs 14:33 Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, But in the hearts of fools it is made known.

Proverbs 12:23 A prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims folly.

FOLLY ON
FULL DISPLAY

Even when the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking (literally "his heart is lacking") and he demonstrates to everyone that he is a fool - In ancient times, walking along a road was a public activity. Metaphorically, it reveals a person’s character—by speech, posture, decisions, and interactions. Even in something as routine and neutral as walking, the fool reveals his inner disorder. His behavior betrays him. Solomon says watch their walk and you will discern the leaning of their heart which is to foolishness. Their folly is so deeply embedded, it’s noticeable even in mundane behavior. The fool's behavior advertises his foolishness to everyone. He can’t hide it—even if he tries. His lack of wisdom is obvious to all who observe.

A fool cannot consistently live wisely,
because his heart is not trained in truth.

William Barrick - People can discern what sort of person someone is just by watching him walk along a road (Eccl 10: 3). “His sense is lacking”—in other words, a fool exhibits an inner deficiency through his or her behavior (cp. Pr 12:23; 13:16). The fool speaks loudly, behaves arrogantly, ignores the rights and needs of others, and rebels against spiritual things. (13 Eaton, Ecclesiastes, 134.) Solomon had learned to discern the nature of people by how they spoke and behaved.

🙏 “What Are You Showing Without Knowing?” You may be trying to look wise, responsible, or godly… But Ecclesiastes 10:3 reminds you: Your daily walk reveals your inner life. Fools reveal themselves without trying to. Likewise, the wise don’t need to announce their wisdom—it’s evident in how they walk, speak, and respond. Do my casual choices reveal a heart of wisdom or folly? What is my “road behavior” saying about who I am? Let God’s Word shape your heart—because your heart will shape your walk. You don’t have to say you're a fool—your actions will say it for you. Model wise walking—for your children, your peers, and your community.

Ecclesiastes 10:4 If the ruler's temper rises against you, do not abandon your position, because composure allays great offenses.

KJV Ecclesiastes 10:4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.

NKJ Ecclesiastes 10:4 If the spirit of the ruler rises against you, Do not leave your post; For conciliation pacifies great offenses.

NET Ecclesiastes 10:4 If the anger of the ruler flares up against you, do not resign from your position, for a calm response can undo great offenses.

BGT Ecclesiastes 10:4 ἐὰν πνεῦμα τοῦ ἐξουσιάζοντος ἀναβῇ ἐπὶ σέ τόπον σου μὴ ἀφῇς ὅτι ἴαμα καταπαύσει ἁμαρτίας μεγάλας

LXE Ecclesiastes 10:4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for soothing will put an end to great offences.

CSB Ecclesiastes 10:4 If the ruler's anger rises against you, don't leave your place, for calmness puts great offenses to rest.

ESV Ecclesiastes 10:4 If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place, for calmness will lay great offenses to rest.

NIV Ecclesiastes 10:4 If a ruler's anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness can lay great errors to rest.

NLT Ecclesiastes 10:4 If your boss is angry at you, don't quit! A quiet spirit can overcome even great mistakes.

YLT Ecclesiastes 10:4 If the spirit of the ruler go up against thee, Thy place leave not, For yielding quieteth great sinners.

NJB Ecclesiastes 10:4 If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your post; composure mitigates grave offences.

NRS Ecclesiastes 10:4 If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your post, for calmness will undo great offenses.

NAB Ecclesiastes 10:4 Should the anger of the ruler burst upon you, forsake not your place; for mildness abates great offenses.

GWN Ecclesiastes 10:4 If a ruler becomes angry with you, don't resign your position. If you remain calm, you can make up for serious offenses.

BBE Ecclesiastes 10:4 If the wrath of the ruler is against you, keep in your place; in him who keeps quiet even great sins may be overlooked.

RSV Ecclesiastes 10:4 If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place, for deference will make amends for great offenses.

do not abandon: Ec 8:3
because: 1Sa 25:24-44 Pr 25:15

Related Passages:

Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 16:14 The fury of a king is like messengers of death, But a wise man will appease it.

Proverbs 25:15 By forbearance a ruler may be persuaded, And a soft tongue breaks the bone.

Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Romans 12:18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.

James 1:19-20 This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.

When criticized unfairly,
calmly resist the urge to react

WHEN THE KING IS ANGRY
STAY CALM, STAY WISE

If the ruler's temper rises against you If someone in authority becomes angry or hostile toward you—even unjustly—this verse offers wise counsel on how to respond.

Charles Swindoll "Almost all of us can relate to the first example: living with patience under an impatient and hot-headed leader. Solomon advised that if the ruler’s temper rises, a wise person maintains his or her own composure (10:4)....When we’re faced with a hot-tempered person (especially a leader who’s directing a foolish outburst toward us), it’s easy to return insult for insult. However, what we really need to do is diffuse his or her offense with a patient spirit. Fools escalate conflict because they fail to be sensible." (See Living on the Ragged Edge Workbook)

Do not abandon your position, Don’t panic or retreat from your role. Maintain your dignity, integrity, and station—don’t flee or overreact.

because composure allays great offenses Calmness in the face of anger can defuse serious conflicts. Wisdom and poise have the power to quiet rage and prevent larger damage.

This verse teaches how to exercise godly wisdom in volatile relationships, particularly: When injustice or anger comes from those in power, when the temptation is to fight, flee, or panic. God often calls us to stay grounded and not to retreat or retaliate, but to stand firm in peace, letting wisdom bring resolution.

Michael Eaton - The anger of a ruler must be soothed with a calm forbearance that neither panics in fear nor deserts in bitterness. The same vocabulary (‘anger … soothed’) occurs in Judges 8:3 which illustrates the point. (Borrow)

NET NOTE - The noun II מַרְפֵּא (marpe’, “calmness”) is used in reference to keeping one’s composure with a peaceful heart (Prov 14:30) and responding to criticism with a gentle tongue (Prov 15:4); cf. HALOT 637 s.v. II מַרְפֵּא. It is used in reference to keeping one’s composure in an emotionally charged situation (BDB 951 s.v. מַרְפֵּא 2). The term “calmness” is used here as a metonymy of association, meaning “calm response.” ALLAYS - The verbal root נוח means “to leave behind; to leave untouched” (HALOT 680 s.v. I נוח 2) in general, and in this passage, “to undo” or “to allay” offenses or “to avoid” offenses. The point is either that (1) a composed response can calm or appease the anger of the ruler, or (2) a calm heart will help one avoid great sins that would offend the king. The root נוח (“to rest”) is repeated, creating a wordplay: “Do not leave” (אַל־תַּנַּח, ’al-tannakh) and “to avoid; to allay” (יַנִּיחַ, yanniakh). Rather than resigning (i.e., leaving), composure can appease a king (i.e., cause the anger of the king to leave).

William Barrick - “Ruler” (moshel) in verse 4 can include multiple levels of officials (cf. 2Ch 23:20; Ec 9:17; Jer 51:46). (Borrow Murphy, Ecclesiastes) Solomon advises remaining calm and collected even when a government leader expresses or displays anger (cp. Ec 9:17), because a calm response prevents unwise words or actions (cp. Pr 15:1; Pr 16:14; Pr 25:15). “Do not abandon” represents the first of only three direct instructions in Eccl 10 (cf. Eccl 10:20). Kidner applies the proverb to “the huff.” He suggests avoiding self-inflicted damage, “for while it may feel magnificent to ‘resign your post’ (NEB), ostensibly on principle but actually in a fit of pride, it is in fact less impressive, more immature, than it feels.” (Borrow Kidner, A Time to Mourn, 89–90) The circumstances in verse 4 differ from those in Eccl 8:3, so the advice varies accordingly.

🙏 “Composure Speaks Louder Than Panic” The world tells you: When someone blows up at you—defend yourself immediately. When authority turns hostile—run or revolt. But Solomon says “Hold your place. Keep your head. Let your composure speak.” God doesn’t call you to be a doormat, but to be steadfast in peace. Your calmness can soothe wrath, restore order, and show the power of wisdom under fire. Remain calm when facing unjust anger or pressure. Wisdom includes knowing when to stand your ground quietly. When criticized unfairly, resist the urge to react impulsively.

Ray Pritchard - Something New Under the Sun - DEALING WITH DIFFICULT PEOPLE Ecclesiastes 10:4-7

At the office, in the classroom, on the assembly line, living next door, and sometimes sharing the same bedroom are people who occasionally get on our nerves. Perhaps that's putting it too mildly. There are some people we just can't stand. Marshall Shelley wrote about the difficult people that pastors encounter, calling them "well-intentioned dragons." I like that because it nicely balances the reality most of us face every day.

We all have a few well-intentioned dragons around us. That's a given. It's how we deal with them that matters.

I used to think that those hard-to-live-with people were simply one more proof of universal depravity. In a fallen world some people are going to look a bit more "fallen" than the rest of us. That's certainly true, but as the years pass, I've come to realize that God actually sends the dragons our way for a positive purpose. They are grace-builders, sent on a mission from God to make us better people. Without them, life would be easier but we would be spiritually flabby. Because of them, we are forced to grow in areas that would otherwise remain undeveloped for God.

There are four ways we commonly deal with difficult people:

1. We ignore them. We do this by shutting the door, leaving the room, hanging up the phone, or telling our secretary not to let Mr. Jones know we're in the office today.

2. We intimidate them. Intimidation works when the troublesome person happens to be a wife, a brother, a sister, or a child. Intimidators use violence and the threat of violence, harsh language, half-truths, body language, and a myriad of ugly facial expressions to keep people in line and get their own way.

3. We argue with them. I personally find this a major temptation since I love a good argument.

4. We destroy them. We do that through subtle means, such as attacking a person behind his back, passing along bits of gossip, leaking confidential information, reporting on the moral failures of those we despise, and implying that others may have done wrong when we have no proof. A friend once told me about one of his colleagues who could "stick a knife in you and you wouldn't know it until you looked down and saw your blood on the floor."

Against all this we have the example of Jesus, who always spoke the truth with love. He never intimidated, never threatened, and never ignored difficult people. Follow His example and you can't go wrong.

Father, I pray for a teachable spirit today so that I might learn something from the difficult people in m y life. Amen.

SHINING THE LIGHT

Have you ever worked under someone you considered a fool? What happened?
Why is it crucial to keep your temper when your boss is angry at you? How should Christians respond when we find ourselves in an unfair situation at work?

MORE LIGHT FROM GOD'S WORD Read Daniel 6:1-28; Luke 12:1-12; and Ephesians 6:5-9.

Ecclesiastes 10:5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun, like an error which goes forth from the ruler--

KJV Ecclesiastes 10:5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:

NKJ Ecclesiastes 10:5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun, As an error proceeding from the ruler:

NET Ecclesiastes 10:5 I have seen another misfortune on the earth: It is an error a ruler makes.

BGT Ecclesiastes 10:5 ἔστιν πονηρία ἣν εἶδον ὑπὸ τὸν ἥλιον ὡς ἀκούσιον ὃ ἐξῆλθεν ἀπὸ προσώπου τοῦ ἐξουσιάζοντος

LXE Ecclesiastes 10:5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, wherein an error has proceeded from the ruler.

CSB Ecclesiastes 10:5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun, an error proceeding from the presence of the ruler:

ESV Ecclesiastes 10:5 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were an error proceeding from the ruler:

NIV Ecclesiastes 10:5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun, the sort of error that arises from a ruler:

NLT Ecclesiastes 10:5 There is another evil I have seen under the sun. Kings and rulers make a grave mistake

YLT Ecclesiastes 10:5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun, As an error that goeth out from the ruler,

NJB Ecclesiastes 10:5 One evil I observe under the sun: the sort of misjudgement to which rulers are prone-

NRS Ecclesiastes 10:5 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as great an error as if it proceeded from the ruler:

NAB Ecclesiastes 10:5 I have seen under the sun another evil, like a mistake that proceeds from the ruler:

GWN Ecclesiastes 10:5 There is a tragedy that I've seen under the sun, an error often made by rulers.

BBE Ecclesiastes 10:5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, like an error which comes by chance from a ruler:

RSV Ecclesiastes 10:5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as it were an error proceeding from the ruler:

an evil: Ec 4:7 5:13 6:1 9:3
as an: Ec 3:16 4:1

Related Passages:

Proverbs 28:15-16 Like a roaring lion and a rushing bear Is a wicked ruler over a poor people. 16A leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding, But he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.

Proverbs 29:2 When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, But when a wicked man rules, people groan.

ERROR FROM
THE TOP

There is an evil I have seen under the sun Solomon is identifying a disturbing reality he has personally observed (I have seen), one that represents brokenness in the systems of the world.

Like an error which goes forth from the ruler This evil is like a bad decision or unwise judgment made by a ruler that has real societal consequences. This verse reminds us that those in authority have real power to shape societies for better or worse. When leaders elevate fools or make decisions without wisdom, it leads to injustice, disorder, and public harm. Such errors may be unintentional, but they’re still profoundly damaging. One is reminded of Jesus' words "if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” (Mt 15:14+)

William Barrick - An Upside-Down World (Eccl 10:5–7) The only remaining occurrence of “I have seen” in the book comes in this same section (Eccl 10:7). (See Ec 1:14; 2:13, 24; 3:10, 16, 22; 4:1, 4, 7, 15; 5:13, 18; 6:1; 7:15; 8:9, 10, 17; 9:11, 13.) These two references bracket Eccl 10:5–7. The “evil” (cp. Ec 5:13; 6:1) that Solomon has seen “under the sun” refers to something that is not good—it is improper, disruptive, unjust, or even harmful. This particular impropriety occurs within the realm of government. A comparative sense (“like an error”) seems not to fit the context well. Therefore, some versions render the phrase “as it were” (RSV, ESV) or even omitting any form of “as” or “like” (HCSB, “There is an evil I have seen under the sun, even an error”). “Error” refers to a “thoughtless, culpable sort of mistake.” (Fredericks, Ecclesiastes) An administrative oversight results in placing exceedingly inept people in positions of high responsibility and power. The “ruler” (shalit) does not specifically designate a king any more than the word moshel in Ec 10:4. Interestingly, Moses employs both words to describe Joseph’s role in Egypt (Ge 42:6, shalit; Ge 45:8, moshel). The individual can be anyone in government leadership who is subordinate to the king (or pharaoh).

“The Ripple Effect of Leadership” When those in charge make foolish or hasty decisions, the effects ripple outward—hurting people, creating injustice, and disordering what God intended to be wise and just. If you're in a position of influence—at home, work, ministry, or governance—let this verse be a warning: A single act of foolishness can ripple into great harm. But it’s also a call to pray for and support righteous leadership (1Ti 2:1-2+).

Ecclesiastes 10:6 folly is set in many exalted places while rich men sit in humble places.

KJV Ecclesiastes 10:6 Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.

NKJ Ecclesiastes 10:6 Folly is set in great dignity, While the rich sit in a lowly place.

NET Ecclesiastes 10:6 Fools are placed in many positions of authority, while wealthy men sit in lowly positions.

BGT Ecclesiastes 10:6 ἐδόθη ὁ ἄφρων ἐν ὕψεσι μεγάλοις καὶ πλούσιοι ἐν ταπεινῷ καθήσονται

LXE Ecclesiastes 10:6 The fool has been set in very high places, while rich men would sit in a low one.

CSB Ecclesiastes 10:6 The fool is appointed to great heights, but the rich remain in lowly positions.

ESV Ecclesiastes 10:6 folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place.

NIV Ecclesiastes 10:6 Fools are put in many high positions, while the rich occupy the low ones.

NLT Ecclesiastes 10:6 when they give great authority to foolish people and low positions to people of proven worth.

YLT Ecclesiastes 10:6 He hath set the fool in many high places, And the rich in a low place do sit.

NJB Ecclesiastes 10:6 folly promoted to the top and the rich taking the lowest place.

NRS Ecclesiastes 10:6 folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place.

NAB Ecclesiastes 10:6 a fool put in lofty position while the rich sit in lowly places.

GWN Ecclesiastes 10:6 Foolish people are often given high positions, and rich people are left to fill lower positions.

BBE Ecclesiastes 10:6 The foolish are placed in high positions, but men of wealth are kept low.

RSV Ecclesiastes 10:6 folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place.

Folly: Judges 9:14-20 1Ki 12:13,14 Es 3:1 Ps 12:8 Pr 28:12,28
the rich: Jas 2:3-5

Fools in high places!

FOOLS IN HIGH PLACES:
UPSIDE DOWN LEADERSHIP

Folly is set in many exalted places NET = "Fools are placed in many positions of authority, while wealthy men sit in lowly positions." Foolishness isn’t just present but is in effect institutionalized. People with no discernment are given high positions, often through the error or corruption of leaders. Wisdom under the sun can be neutralized by the foolish decisions of rulers even to the point of social turmoil and reversal.

While rich men sit in humble places - Those who are competent, wise, or honorable are relegated to obscurity while fools occupy the spotlight. Solomon is observing an inversion of moral and social order. Fools, who lack wisdom, are placed in charge. The honorable are pushed aside.

Michael Eaton - ‘Time and chance’ (Ec 9:11) may produce curious reverses, and so limit the effectiveness of wisdom. Men with resources (the rich) may lack opportunity; men with opportunity (high positions) may lack at least the spiritual resources. (Borrow)

William Barrick - Eccl 10:6 specifies the particular governmental situation or circumstance. Too many fools sit in places of leadership, while “rich men sit in humble places” (Eccl 10:6).

“Don’t Be Surprised by a Twisted World” You may look around and see fools promoted, the wise ignored, evil celebrated, and/or the humble dismissed. Solomon saw it, but his words remind us that this is not how it should be, and it will not always be this way. God sees. God remembers. And in the end, He will exalt the humble and bring down the proud (cf. Luke 1:52). Don’t lose heart when the world seems upside down—walk in wisdom anyway.

Ecclesiastes 10:7 I have seen slaves riding on horses and princes walking like slaves on the land.

KJV Ecclesiastes 10:7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.

NKJ Ecclesiastes 10:7 I have seen servants on horses, While princes walk on the ground like servants.

NET Ecclesiastes 10:7 I have seen slaves on horseback and princes walking on foot like slaves.

BGT Ecclesiastes 10:7 εἶδον δούλους ἐφ᾽ ἵππους καὶ ἄρχοντας πορευομένους ὡς δούλους ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς

LXE Ecclesiastes 10:7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants on the earth.

CSB Ecclesiastes 10:7 I have seen slaves on horses, but princes walking on the ground like slaves.

ESV Ecclesiastes 10:7 I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking on the ground like slaves.

NIV Ecclesiastes 10:7 I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.

NLT Ecclesiastes 10:7 I have even seen servants riding horseback like princes-- and princes walking like servants!

YLT Ecclesiastes 10:7 I have seen servants on horses, And princes walking as servants on the earth.

NJB Ecclesiastes 10:7 I see slaves riding on horses and princes on foot like slaves.

NRS Ecclesiastes 10:7 I have seen slaves on horseback, and princes walking on foot like slaves.

NAB Ecclesiastes 10:7 I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes walked on the ground like slaves.

GWN Ecclesiastes 10:7 I have seen slaves sitting on horses and influential people going on foot like slaves.

BBE Ecclesiastes 10:7 I have seen servants on horses, and rulers walking on the earth as servants.

RSV Ecclesiastes 10:7 I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking on foot like slaves.

ASV Ecclesiastes 10:7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking like servants upon the earth.

DBY Ecclesiastes 10:7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.

BHT Ecclesiastes 10:7 rä´îºtî `ábädîm `al-sûsîm wüSärîm hölkîm Ka`ábädîm `al-hä´äºrec

NIRV Ecclesiastes 10:7 I've seen slaves on horseback. I've also seen princes who were forced to walk as if they were slaves.

Pr 19:10 30:22

Related Passages:

Proverbs 19:10 Luxury is not fitting for a fool; Much less for a slave to rule over princes.

Proverbs 30:21-23 Under three things the earth quakes, And under four, it cannot bear up: 22 Under a slave when he becomes king, And a fool when he is satisfied with food, 23 Under an unloved woman when she gets a husband, And a maidservant when she supplants her mistress.

Psalm 12:8 The wicked strut about on every side When vileness is exalted among the sons of men.

A world out of order:
People unfit to rule exalted,
Qualified are disregarded.

AN UPSIDE-DOWN
WORLD

I have seen slaves riding on horses and princes walking like slaves on the land - NLT - "I have even seen servants riding horseback like princes-- and princes walking like servants!" In the ancient world, to ride a horse was a symbol of honor, power, rulership, and military authority (cf. Esther 6:8–9) Here Solomon says he has seen people who lack the virtue, wisdom, or authority to rule but are nevertheless promoted to high positions, riding horses as if they were kings or generals.

Michael Eaton - In illustration, the Preacher presents an anomaly which would have been more vivid in the ancient world, where horses were associated with kingship and wealth (cf. Deut. 17:16).

And princes walking like slaves on the land - Those who are qualified to lead, the wise, noble, responsible, are instead disregarded, humiliated, or stripped of influence.

Donald Glenn comments that Solomon had "also had seen slaves riding on horseback, a position of honor (cf. Jer. 17:25), while princes went on foot like slaves. Thus since position was not assigned on the basis of merit but on the basis of a ruler's caprice, the value of wisdom was often nullified." (Borrow The Bible Knowledge Commentary)

Solomon is painting a world where roles are reversed, authority is misassigned, virtue is ignored, and appearance or politics prevail. This is not just unfortunate—it is an evil under the sun (Ec 10:5). It reflects a fallen world where power is often given to the wrong people, and wisdom is suppressed.

William Barrick - Equally topsy-turvy are those governments in which slaves move around on horseback and princes walk like slaves (Eccl 10:7). In the cultural environment of ancient Israel, the common citizen did not own a horse. Royalty, nobility, and the military used equestrian transport (1 Kgs 5:6). (18 Seow, Ecclesiastes) Proverbs 19:10 addresses just such a topsy-turvy situation: “Luxury is not fitting for a fool; much less for a slave to rule over princes” (cp. Pr 30:21–23). Such conditions in government illustrate the reality of the uncertain aspect of life: “things do not turn out the way one expects”—even if wisdom is present. (19 Murphy, Ecclesiastes, 101) Political realities are often tangled. No one knows when one official will fall from favor and another, very different individual, will rise to power. Comparing Solomon’s observations (Ec 10:5–7) with Hannah’s song (1Sa 2:7–8) demonstrates that wisdom instruction in proverbs refer to general truths that might not apply in every situation. Solomon himself speaks of circumstances in which he prefers a wise young king to a foolish old king (Ec 4:13–16). The elevation of a slave or a poor man to a position of political power can also testify “to the power of God’s ‘revolutionary’ ways.” (20 Brown, Ecclesiastes) Citizens cannot know whether God has purposefully produced the reversal of political roles. The sinfulness of man might have brought about the situation, but it might also be the result of God’s guiding hand. Note that Solomon does not advocate instigating a counter-revolution. Instead, he instructs the godly citizen to:

1) continue on as before without leaving any governmental position (Eccl 10:4),
2) be an observer like Solomon himself (Eccl 10:5, 7),
3) behave wisely, taking proper precautions even for daily labors (Eccl 10:8–10),
4) speak with grace and avoid loquaciousness (Eccl 10:12–14),
5) remember that the future cannot be known (Eccl 10:14),
6) be diligent, not lazy (Eccl 10:18),
7) pay attention to the normal enjoyments and necessities of life (Eccl 10:19), and
8) do not speak disrespectfully of those in authority (Eccl 10:20).

“Don’t Be Discouraged by the Wrong People Rising” Have you ever seen someone rise to power, not because of character or wisdom, but through flattery, corruption or self-promotion? Most of have seen this inequity! Solomon saw it too. This verse reminds us not to be surprised when the world promotes the unqualified and not to despair when wisdom walks humbly. These reversals are a sign of broken systems and poor leadership. God sees the inversion. And He promises to set all things right in His time. “He has brought down rulers from their thrones and has exalted those who were humble.” — Luke 1:52

Ecclesiastes 10:8 He who digs a pit may fall into it, and a serpent may bite him who breaks through a wall.

KJV Ecclesiastes 10:8 He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.

NKJ Ecclesiastes 10:8 He who digs a pit will fall into it, And whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a serpent.

NET Ecclesiastes 10:8 One who digs a pit may fall into it, and one who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.

BGT Ecclesiastes 10:8 ὁ ὀρύσσων βόθρον ἐν αὐτῷ ἐμπεσεῖται καὶ καθαιροῦντα φραγμόν δήξεται αὐτὸν ὄφις

LXE Ecclesiastes 10:8 He that digs a pit shall fall into it; and him that breaks down a hedge a serpent shall bite.

CSB Ecclesiastes 10:8 The one who digs a pit may fall into it, and the one who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.

ESV Ecclesiastes 10:8 He who digs a pit will fall into it, and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall.

NIV Ecclesiastes 10:8 Whoever digs a pit may fall into it; whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.

NLT Ecclesiastes 10:8 When you dig a well, you might fall in. When you demolish an old wall, you could be bitten by a snake.

YLT Ecclesiastes 10:8 Whoso is digging a pit falleth into it, And whoso is breaking a hedge, a serpent biteth him.

NJB Ecclesiastes 10:8 He who digs a pit falls into it, he who undermines a wall gets bitten by a snake,

NRS Ecclesiastes 10:8 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; and whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a snake.

NAB Ecclesiastes 10:8 He who digs a pit may fall into it, and he who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a serpent.

GWN Ecclesiastes 10:8 Whoever digs a pit may fall into it. Whoever breaks through a stone wall may be bitten by a snake.

BBE Ecclesiastes 10:8 He who makes a hole for others will himself go into it, and for him who makes a hole through a wall the bite of a snake will be a punishment.

RSV Ecclesiastes 10:8 He who digs a pit will fall into it; and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall.

that: Judges 9:5,53-57 2Sa 17:23 18:15 Es 7:10 Ps 7:15,16 9:15,16 Pr 26:27
a serpent: Am 5:19 9:3

He who digs a pit may fall into it, and a serpent may bite him who breaks through a wall.

William Barrick - Proverbs from Everyday Life Settings (Eccl 10:8–11) Calamity awaits anyone even in common actions in everyday living. A farmer or a hunter may dig a pit and end up falling into it and being injured (v. 8a; cp. Pss 7:15; 9:15; Prov 26:27). A serpent might bite the workman demolishing the wall of a dwelling or the wall of a city (Eccl 10:8b; Amos 5:19; cp. Acts 28:4).....Many of the biblical references to falling into a pit of one’s own making speak of retribution and justice (sometimes called “boomerang justice”). However, this verse deals with accidents.

Ray Pritchard - Something New Under the Sun - THESE THINGS HAPPEN Ecclesiastes 10:8-9

James Herriot, a British veterinarian and best-selling author, describes in one of his books the stoic philosophy of the farmers who live in the rugged Yorkshire Dells. When disease decimates a herd of sheep or a sudden storm ruins an entire harvest, the farmers take it in stride, often saying nothing more than "These things happen."

Such a statement may seem like fatalism to outsiders, but to those hardy farmers it represents a realistic appraisal of life. No matter how much one plans or how hard he works, he could lose it all to an apparently random act of nature.

It happens all the time. Faulty wiring causes a fire that burns down a building, wiping out a business and putting seventy-four people out of work. One man's life savings go up in flames —the work of thirty years lost in thirty minutes. Upon investigation it is discovered that the wiring has been faulty for years, which means that the blaze could have started at any time. Why now? And why didn't someone discover the problem sooner?

"These things happen." If we deny it, we simply deny reality itself. A wise person understands that the best business plan in the world is just that—a plan, a projection, an idea about what the future may hold. The only thing you can know for certain is that the future won't work out exactly the way you planned.

Most of us know about Murphy's Law: If anything can go wrong, it will. Perhaps you've also heard of Johnson's Comment: Murphy was an optimist. If you're planning to succeed in this fallen world, make sure you leave plenty of room for the possibility of failure, trouble, catastrophe, and sudden setbacks.

You might fall into a well. Or you might be bitten by a serpent. Or you might be cut by flying rocks. Or injured while you are splitting logs. Those Yorkshire farmers are right. "These things happen." The only way to avoid potential calamity is never to dig, never to build, never to chop; in short, to stay in bed all day watching TV. But you could be electrocuted in your bathroom or trip and break your leg in the kitchen.

There aren't any guarantees in life. Bad things sometimes happen to people in the middle of their normal work. Other people are standing around doing nothing when suddenly a flowerpot hits them on the head. The only solution is to do your job, accept the risks that go with it, take appropriate precautions, and understand that things could still go haywire.

Does that sound like a contradiction? It isn't. It's just plain common sense. Let's call it Solomon's Observation: Expect the worst and sooner or later you won't be disappointed. You don't have to be a pessimist to survive in the world, but starry-eyed optimists generally don't last very long either.

Spirit of God, I pray for the grace not to be overly surprised by anything that happens to me today Amen.

SHINING THE LIGHT

What practical steps have you taken to be prepared for the "accidents" of life?
Do you agree that we live in a Murphy's Law universe? How can we remain hopeful in the face of the unexpected problems we all face on a daily basis?

MORE LIGHT FROM GOD'S WORD Read Jonah 1; Romans 5:3-5; and 1 Corinthians 16:5-9.

Ecclesiastes 10:9 He who quarries stones may be hurt by them, and he who splits logs may be endangered by them.

KJV Ecclesiastes 10:9 Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.

NKJ Ecclesiastes 10:9 He who quarries stones may be hurt by them, And he who splits wood may be endangered by it.

NET Ecclesiastes 10:9 One who quarries stones may be injured by them; one who splits logs may be endangered by them.

BGT Ecclesiastes 10:9 ἐξαίρων λίθους διαπονηθήσεται ἐν αὐτοῖς σχίζων ξύλα κινδυνεύσει ἐν αὐτοῖς

LXE Ecclesiastes 10:9 He that removes stones shall be troubled thereby; he that cleaves wood shall be endangered thereby.

CSB Ecclesiastes 10:9 The one who quarries stones may be hurt by them; the one who splits trees may be endangered by them.

ESV Ecclesiastes 10:9 He who quarries stones is hurt by them, and he who splits logs is endangered by them.

NIV Ecclesiastes 10:9 Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them; whoever splits logs may be endangered by them.

NLT Ecclesiastes 10:9 When you work in a quarry, stones might fall and crush you. When you chop wood, there is danger with each stroke of your ax.

YLT Ecclesiastes 10:9 Whoso is removing stones is grieved by them, Whoso is cleaving trees endangered by them.

NJB Ecclesiastes 10:9 he who quarries stones gets hurt by them, he who chops wood takes a risk from it.

NRS Ecclesiastes 10:9 Whoever quarries stones will be hurt by them; and whoever splits logs will be endangered by them.

NAB Ecclesiastes 10:9 He who moves stones may be hurt by them, and he who chops wood is in danger from it.

GWN Ecclesiastes 10:9 Whoever works in a stone quarry may get hurt. Whoever splits wood may be injured.

BBE Ecclesiastes 10:9 He who gets out stones from the earth will be damaged by them, and in the cutting of wood there is danger.

RSV Ecclesiastes 10:9 He who quarries stones is hurt by them; and he who splits logs is endangered by them.

He who quarries stones may be hurt by them, and he who splits logs may be endangered by them.

William Barrick - The quarryman must watch that a loosened slab might not suddenly break away and fall on him (Eccl 10:9a). The woodman splitting logs might be harmed by a piece that flies up into his face, a log that suddenly rolls over his foot, or by the axe itself glancing off the log and striking his leg (Eccl 10:9b; cp. Deut 19:5).

Ecclesiastes 10:10 If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength. Wisdom has the advantage of giving success.

KJV Ecclesiastes 10:10 If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.

NKJ Ecclesiastes 10:10 If the ax is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success.

NET Ecclesiastes 10:10 If an iron axhead is blunt and a workman does not sharpen its edge, he must exert a great deal of effort; so wisdom has the advantage of giving success.

BGT Ecclesiastes 10:10 ἐὰν ἐκπέσῃ τὸ σιδήριον καὶ αὐτὸς πρόσωπον ἐτάραξεν καὶ δυνάμεις δυναμώσει καὶ περισσεία τοῦ ἀνδρείου σοφία

LXE Ecclesiastes 10:10 If the axe-head should fall off, then the man troubles his countenance, and he must put forth more strength: and in that case skill is of no advantage to a man.

CSB Ecclesiastes 10:10 If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen its edge, then one must exert more strength; however, the advantage of wisdom is that it brings success.

ESV Ecclesiastes 10:10 If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed.

NIV Ecclesiastes 10:10 If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring success.

NLT Ecclesiastes 10:10 Using a dull ax requires great strength, so sharpen the blade. That's the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed.

YLT Ecclesiastes 10:10 If the iron hath been blunt, And he the face hath not sharpened, Then doth he increase strength, And wisdom is advantageous to make right.

NJB Ecclesiastes 10:10 If, for want of sharpening, the blade is blunt, you have to work twice as hard; but it is the outcome that makes wisdom rewarding.

NRS Ecclesiastes 10:10 If the iron is blunt, and one does not whet the edge, then more strength must be exerted; but wisdom helps one to succeed.

NAB Ecclesiastes 10:10 If the iron becomes dull, though at first he made easy progress, he must increase his efforts; but the craftsman has the advantage of his skill.

GWN Ecclesiastes 10:10 If an ax is blunt and the edge isn't sharpened, then one has to use more strength. But wisdom prepares the way for success.

BBE Ecclesiastes 10:10 If the iron has no edge, and he does not make it sharp, then he has to put out more strength; but wisdom makes things go well.

RSV Ecclesiastes 10:10 If the iron is blunt, and one does not whet the edge, he must put forth more strength; but wisdom helps one to succeed.

wisdom: Ec 10:15 9:15-17 Ge 41:33-39 Ex 18:19-23 1Ki 3:9 1Ch 12:32 2Ch 23:4-11 Mt 10:16 Ac 6:1-9 15:2-21 Ro 16:19 1Co 14:20 Eph 5:15-17 Col 4:5 Jas 1:5

If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength.

Wisdom has the advantage of giving success.

William Barrick - This last illustration might also be compounded by a dull blade (Eccl 10:10a). The axe wielder must apply more strength in order to get the dull blade to bite deep into the wood. The extra exertion might create yet another accident. At the end of this string of common proverbs Solomon finishes with his main point: “Wisdom has the advantage of giving success” (Ec 10:10b). No matter what labor one pursues (digging a pit, demolishing a wall, quarrying stone, or splitting logs), the application of wisdom brings safety and success to the endeavor. It is as though Solomon said, “Use your head. Think about what you are doing. Proceed with proper caution and attention to potentially harmful consequences.” Danger can lurk in every area of daily life. Pragmatically speaking, these illustrations speak of proper preparation for any task. Wright adapts the truth to two modern axioms: “Sharpen your knife before carving the chicken. Or, Don’t blame the class for not listening if you haven’t sharpened your wits with proper preparation.” (22 Wright, “Ecclesiastes) Speaking of the axiom’s relevance, Tidball writes, “People want to lead churches or evangelize the world without training first. They want to go and live overseas without learning the language. They want to get married and have a family without saving up.” (23 Tidball, That’s Just the Way It Is)

Ray Pritchard - Something New Under the Sun - BE PREPARED Ecclesiastes 10:10-11

Would Solomon have joined the Boy Scouts? I don't know, but I'm sure he would agree with their well-known motto: Be prepared. His two illustrations in verses 10-11 show the danger of approaching our work in a haphazard fashion.

First is the man whose job is splitting wood. Because he is too lazy to sharpen the ax, he has to work much harder than necessary. Sharpening an ax is a relatively simple job, taking at most only a few minutes at the beginning of the day. But perhaps this fellow is in a big hurry or maybe he didn't bother to check the blade or possibly he would rather spend those few minutes drinking coffee with his buddies. In any case, the blade remains dull; but the work has to be done, so he ends up straining his back from all the extra effort.

The case of the snake charmer is similar. Snake charming requires a certain degree of preparation and a large dose of good timing, or else the charmer's career will be a short one. When the snake bites too soon, the charmer loses the money he would have made. In today’s world, he would probably have a lawsuit on his hands from a very unhappy customer.

There are many ways to apply these verses, but one of the most obvious has to do with taking the time to learn your craft thoroughly. To rise to the top in any profession requires a certain amount of skill plus a great deal of determination. The world is filled with talented men and women who never amount to much because they are unable (or unwilling) to pay the price to hone their God-given abilities.

The great temptation is to join the "good enough" club, as in "that's good enough for government work"— which is a slander on every dedicated public servant. The apostle Paul urges us to do our work "with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord" (Colossians 3:22), understanding that someday we will stand before Him and give an account for the quality of our daily work.

When God asked Moses, "What is that in your hand?" he replied, "A staff" (Exodus 4:2). That staff became the sign of God's miraculous power to deliver His people out of Egypt. What talent has God placed in your hand? Are you willing to offer it to Him?

Teacher of Truth, You have ordained that I should be a lifetime student in the classroom of life. May I not waste the lessons You are teaching me today. Amen.

SHINING THE LIGHT

What areas of your life need "sharpening" right now? What is the major task facing you in the next twenty-four hours?
Name three life lessons you have learned in recent months.

MORE LIGHT FROM GOD'S WORD Read Ruth 3:1-14; Luke 1:37; and 2 Peter 3:18.

Ecclesiastes 10:11 If the serpent bites before being charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.

KJV Ecclesiastes 10:11 Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.

NKJ Ecclesiastes 10:11 A serpent may bite when it is not charmed; The babbler is no different.

NET Ecclesiastes 10:11 If the snake should bite before it is charmed, the snake charmer is in trouble.

BGT Ecclesiastes 10:11 ἐὰν δάκῃ ὁ ὄφις ἐν οὐ ψιθυρισμῷ καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν περισσεία τῷ ἐπᾴδοντι

LXE Ecclesiastes 10:11 If a serpent bite when there is no charmer's whisper, then there is no advantage to the charmer.

CSB Ecclesiastes 10:11 If the snake bites before it is charmed, then there is no advantage for the charmer.

ESV Ecclesiastes 10:11 If the serpent bites before it is charmed, there is no advantage to the charmer.

NIV Ecclesiastes 10:11 If a snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.

NLT Ecclesiastes 10:11 If a snake bites before you charm it, what's the use of being a snake charmer?

YLT Ecclesiastes 10:11 If the serpent biteth without enchantment, Then there is no advantage to a master of the tongue.

NJB Ecclesiastes 10:11 If, for want of charming, the snake bites, the snake-charmer gets nothing out of it.

NRS Ecclesiastes 10:11 If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no advantage in a charmer.

NAB Ecclesiastes 10:11 If the serpent bites because it has not been charmed, then there is no advantage for the charmer.

GWN Ecclesiastes 10:11 If a snake bites before it has been charmed, then there is no advantage in being a snake charmer.

BBE Ecclesiastes 10:11 If a snake gives a bite before the word of power is said, then there is no longer any use in the word of power.

RSV Ecclesiastes 10:11 If the serpent bites before it is charmed, there is no advantage in a charmer.

the serpent: Ps 58:4,5 Jer 8:17
a babbler: Heb. the master of the tongue, Ps 52:2 64:3 Pr 18:21 Jas 3:6

If the serpent bites before being charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.

William Barrick - The final proverb moves from the realm of common chores to the snake charmer (Eccl 10:11). His imminent danger seems a bit more expected—snake charmers work with poisonous serpents like cobras and adders. If the charm does not work immediately, the snake might strike the charmer (or a customer) and cause his death. Eaton notes from this proverb that “Slackness may nullify inherent skill.” (24 Eaton, Ecclesiastes, 136.)

Ecclesiastes 10:12 Words from the mouth of a wise man are gracious, while the lips of a fool consume him;

KJV Ecclesiastes 10:12 The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.

NKJ Ecclesiastes 10:12 The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious, But the lips of a fool shall swallow him up;

NET Ecclesiastes 10:12 The words of a wise person win him favor, but the words of a fool are self-destructive.

BGT Ecclesiastes 10:12 λόγοι στόματος σοφοῦ χάρις καὶ χείλη ἄφρονος καταποντιοῦσιν αὐτόν

LXE Ecclesiastes 10:12 The words of a wise mouth are gracious: but the lips of a fool will swallow him up.

CSB Ecclesiastes 10:12 The words from the mouth of a wise man are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.

ESV Ecclesiastes 10:12 The words of a wise man's mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.

NIV Ecclesiastes 10:12 Words from a wise man's mouth are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips.

NLT Ecclesiastes 10:12 Wise words bring approval, but fools are destroyed by their own words.

YLT Ecclesiastes 10:12 Words of the mouth of the wise are gracious, And the lips of a fool swallow him up.

NJB Ecclesiastes 10:12 The sayings of a sage give pleasure, what a fool says procures his own ruin:

NRS Ecclesiastes 10:12 Words spoken by the wise bring them favor, but the lips of fools consume them.

NAB Ecclesiastes 10:12 Words from the wise man's mouth win favor, but the fool's lips consume him.

GWN Ecclesiastes 10:12 A wise person's words win favors, but a fool's lips are self-destructive.

BBE Ecclesiastes 10:12 The words of a wise man's mouth are sweet to all, but the lips of a foolish man are his destruction.

RSV Ecclesiastes 10:12 The words of a wise man's mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.

words: Job 4:3,4 16:5 Ps 37:30 40:9,10 71:15-18 Pr 10:13,20,21,31,32 Pr 12:13,14,18 15:2,23 16:21-24 22:17,18 25:11,12 31:26 Mt 12:35 Lu 4:22 Eph 4:29 Col 4:6
gracious: Heb. grace
but: 2Sa 1:16 1Ki 20:40-42 Ps 64:8 140:9 Pr 10:8,10,14 18:6-8 19:5 Pr 26:9 Lu 19:22

Words from the mouth of a wise man are gracious, while the lips of a fool consume him;

William Barrick - The Words and Work of a Fool (Eccl 10:12–15) All biblical wisdom literature eventually gets around to the topic of speech (often using the figures of mouth, tongue, and/or lips).25 Literally, verse 12 begins, “Words of a wise man’s mouth are grace.” Gracious words accompany the wise (Eccl 10:12a; cp. 8:1; Prov 22:11; Ps 45:2; Luke 4:22) and such grace wins favor with the people whom a wise person encounters. Indeed, the wise individual’s words are “gracious in content, winsome in spirit, affectionate in appeal, and compliant and affable in tone.”26 The foolish on the contrary, will suffer the consequences of unwise words (Eccl 10:12b) and only succeed in alienating others.

Ray Pritchard - Something New Under the Sun - FOOLS AND THEIR FOOLISH WORDS Ecclesiastes 10:12-15

Once again we are reminded that fools talk too much. When first we meet such a person, his unending chatter may seem pleasing to us. He laughs and jokes his way through life, pointing out the lighter side of even the saddest moments. He's a riot, the life of the party, a fun guy to have around. He's a cutup, and if you only see him now and then, he seems like a great person to know. But those who know him better don't share that high opinion. Humor is like rich spice: A little goes a long way, but too much spoils the meal.

What starts out as harmless folly ends up as wicked madness. Either he won't stop or perhaps he can't. Foolish words flow like a torrent out of his mouth. It's all there— flippant humor, coarse jesting, irreverent teasing, unkind insults, silly stories, inane comments—some of it funny but nearly all of it inappropriate.

A wise person once remarked that it's better to be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. Consider the benefits of silence: (1) You can listen carefully to what others say; (2) you have time to frame your thoughts; (3) your companions will value your words because you have listened to them; and (4) you run a much lower risk of saying something foolish.

If that last reason sounds too negative, consider Proverbs 10:19, "When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise."

Spirit of God, I pray for the gift of sanctified brevity. Amen.

SHINING THE LIGHT

When are you most tempted to talk too much? What steps can you take to say less today?
Pause and commit your lips to the Lord for His glory.

MORE LIGHT FROM GOD'S WORD Read Psalm 19:14; Proverbs 17:27-28; and James 3:2-12.

Ecclesiastes 10:13 the beginning of his talking is folly and the end of it is wicked madness.

KJV Ecclesiastes 10:13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.

NKJ Ecclesiastes 10:13 The words of his mouth begin with foolishness, And the end of his talk is raving madness.

NET Ecclesiastes 10:13 At the beginning his words are foolish and at the end his talk is wicked madness,

BGT Ecclesiastes 10:13 ἀρχὴ λόγων στόματος αὐτοῦ ἀφροσόνη καὶ ἐσχάτη στόματος αὐτοῦ περιφέρεια πονηρά

LXE Ecclesiastes 10:13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is folly: and the end of his talk mischievous madness.

CSB Ecclesiastes 10:13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is folly, but the end of his speaking is evil madness.

ESV Ecclesiastes 10:13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is evil madness.

NIV Ecclesiastes 10:13 At the beginning his words are folly; at the end they are wicked madness--

NLT Ecclesiastes 10:13 Fools base their thoughts on foolish assumptions, so their conclusions will be wicked madness;

YLT Ecclesiastes 10:13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is folly, And the latter end of his mouth Is mischievous madness.

NJB Ecclesiastes 10:13 his words have their origin in stupidity and their ending in treacherous folly.

NRS Ecclesiastes 10:13 The words of their mouths begin in foolishness, and their talk ends in wicked madness;

NAB Ecclesiastes 10:13 The beginning of his words is folly, and the end of his talk is utter madness;

GWN Ecclesiastes 10:13 A fool starts out by talking foolishness and ends up saying crazy things that are dangerous.

BBE Ecclesiastes 10:13 The first words of his mouth are foolish, and the end of his talk is evil crime.

RSV Ecclesiastes 10:13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is wicked madness.

beginning: Jud 14:15 1Sa 20:26-33 22:7,8,16-18 25:10,11 2Sa 19:41-43 2Sa 20:1 2Ki 6:27,31 Pr 29:9 Mt 2:7,8,16 Lu 6:2,11 Lu 11:38,53,54 Joh 12:10 Ac 5:28-33 6:9-11 7:54-59 19:24-28

the beginning of his talking is folly and the end of it is wicked madness.

William Barrick - From start to finish, the speech of a fool displays a lack of wisdom and too often results in “wicked madness” (Eccl 10:13).

Ecclesiastes 10:14 Yet the fool multiplies words. No man knows what will happen, and who can tell him what will come after him?

KJV Ecclesiastes 10:14 A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?

NKJ Ecclesiastes 10:14 A fool also multiplies words. No man knows what is to be; Who can tell him what will be after him?

NET Ecclesiastes 10:14 yet a fool keeps on babbling. No one knows what will happen; who can tell him what will happen in the future?

BGT Ecclesiastes 10:14 καὶ ὁ ἄφρων πληθύνει λόγους οὐκ ἔγνω ὁ ἄνθρωπος τί τὸ γενόμενον καὶ τί τὸ ἐσόμενον ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ τίς ἀναγγελεῖ αὐτῷ

LXE Ecclesiastes 10:14 A fool moreover multiplies words: man knows not what has been, nor what will be: who shall tell him what will come after him?

CSB Ecclesiastes 10:14 Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what will happen, and who can tell anyone what will happen after him?

ESV Ecclesiastes 10:14 A fool multiplies words, though no man knows what is to be, and who can tell him what will be after him?

NIV Ecclesiastes 10:14 and the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming-- who can tell him what will happen after him?

NLT Ecclesiastes 10:14 they chatter on and on. No one really knows what is going to happen; no one can predict the future.

YLT Ecclesiastes 10:14 And the fool multiplieth words: 'Man knoweth not that which is, And that which is after him, who doth declare to him?'

NJB Ecclesiastes 10:14 A fool talks a great deal, but none of us in fact can tell the future; what will happen after us, who can tell?

NRS Ecclesiastes 10:14 yet fools talk on and on. No one knows what is to happen, and who can tell anyone what the future holds?

NAB Ecclesiastes 10:14 yet the fool multiplies words. Man knows not what is to come, for who can tell him what is to come after him?

GWN Ecclesiastes 10:14 He never stops talking. No one knows what the future will bring, or what will happen after death. Who can say!

BBE Ecclesiastes 10:14 The foolish are full of words; man has no knowledge of what will be; and who is able to say what will be after him?

RSV Ecclesiastes 10:14 A fool multiplies words, though no man knows what is to be, and who can tell him what will be after him?

fool: Ec 5:3 Pr 10:19 15:2
is full of words: Heb. multiplieth words, Job 34:37 35:16
a man: Ec 3:22 6:12 8:7 Jas 4:13,14

Yet the fool multiplies words. No man knows what will happen, and who can tell him what will come after him

William Barrick - In spite of the dangers he faces, however, the fool just keeps on talking (“multiplies words,” Eccl 10:14a). The implied lesson is that everyone must take heed to the words they speak, for God hears and will judge each one accordingly (Matt 12:36–37). Just as the proverbs of Eccl 10:8–10a conclude with a practical application, so Eccl 10:12–14a unexpectedly apply their instruction to the ignorance of mankind concerning what will happen in the future (Eccl 10:14b; cp. Eccl 3:22; 6:12; 7:14; 8:7). According to Kaiser, the fool’s “unbelief and failure to consider that there is a future judgment, wherein the totality of life will be reviewed, puts him at such a huge disadvantage compared to the devout, wise man that he is to be pitied.” (27 Kaiser, Jr., Ecclesiastes)

Ecclesiastes 10:15 The toil of a fool so wearies him that he does not even know how to go to a city.

KJV Ecclesiastes 10:15 The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.

NKJ Ecclesiastes 10:15 The labor of fools wearies them, For they do not even know how to go to the city!

NET Ecclesiastes 10:15 The toil of a stupid fool wears him out, because he does not even know the way to the city.

BGT Ecclesiastes 10:15 μόχθος τῶν ἀφρόνων κοπώσει αὐτούς ὃς οὐκ ἔγνω τοῦ πορευθῆναι εἰς πόλιν

LXE Ecclesiastes 10:15 The labour of fools will afflict them, as that of one who knows not to go to the city.

CSB Ecclesiastes 10:15 The struggles of fools weary them, for they don't know how to go to the city.

ESV Ecclesiastes 10:15 The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city.

NIV Ecclesiastes 10:15 A fool's work wearies him; he does not know the way to town.

NLT Ecclesiastes 10:15 Fools are so exhausted by a little work that they can't even find their way home.

YLT Ecclesiastes 10:15 The labour of the foolish wearieth him, In that he hath not known to go unto the city.

NJB Ecclesiastes 10:15 A fool finds hard work very tiring, he cannot even find his own way into town.

NRS Ecclesiastes 10:15 The toil of fools wears them out, for they do not even know the way to town.

NAB Ecclesiastes 10:15 When will the fool be weary of his labor, he who knows not the way to the city?

GWN Ecclesiastes 10:15 Fools wear themselves out with hard work, because they don't even know the way to town.

BBE Ecclesiastes 10:15 The work of the foolish will be a weariness to him, because he has no knowledge of the way to the town.

RSV Ecclesiastes 10:15 The toil of a fool wearies him, so that he does not know the way to the city.

labour: Ec 10:3,10 Isa 44:12-17 47:12,13 55:2 57:1 Hab 2:6 Mt 11:28-30
because: Ps 107:4,7 Isa 35:8-10 Jer 50:4,5

The toil of a fool so wearies him that he does not even know how to go to a city

the fool often cannot accomplish the most intuitive
of tasks or make the simplest decisions.

William Barrick - The closing instruction indicates the futility of a fool’s labor—he becomes so exhausted that he cannot figure out how to go into a nearby city (Eccl 10:15). Incompetence arises out of the failure to apply due diligence in the realm of labor and work. Eaton describes the circumstances as “a moral and intellectual laziness which leads to a stumbling (Ec 2:14), fumbling (Ec 10:2), crumbling (Ec 10:18) life.” (28 Eaton, Ecclesiastes, 136.) Kidner explains that the fool “would get lost, we might say today, even if you put him on an escalator.” (29 Kidner, A Time to Mourn, 92–93.) Whatever the original meaning of this proverb, one thing is clear: the fool often cannot accomplish the most intuitive of tasks or make the simplest decisions. He (or she) just “makes things needlessly difficult for himself by his stupidity.” (30 29 Kidner, 93) An English saying fits the fool well here: “He does not know enough to come in out of the rain.”

Ecclesiastes 10:16 Woe to you, O land, whose king is a lad and whose princes feast in the morning.

KJV Ecclesiastes 10:16 Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!

NKJ Ecclesiastes 10:16 Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, And your princes feast in the morning!

NET Ecclesiastes 10:16 Woe to you, O land, when your king is childish, and your princes feast in the morning!

BGT Ecclesiastes 10:16 οὐαί σοι πόλις ἧς ὁ βασιλεύς σου νεώτερος καὶ οἱ ἄρχοντές σου ἐν πρωίᾳ ἐσθίουσιν

LXE Ecclesiastes 10:16 Woe to thee, O city, whose king is young, and thy princes eat in the morning!

CSB Ecclesiastes 10:16 Woe to you, land, when your king is a youth and your princes feast in the morning.

ESV Ecclesiastes 10:16 Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes feast in the morning!

NIV Ecclesiastes 10:16 Woe to you, O land whose king was a servant and whose princes feast in the morning.

NLT Ecclesiastes 10:16 What sorrow for the land ruled by a servant, the land whose leaders feast in the morning.

YLT Ecclesiastes 10:16 Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a youth, And thy princes do eat in the morning.

NJB Ecclesiastes 10:16 Woe to you, country with a lad for king, and where princes start feasting in the morning!

NRS Ecclesiastes 10:16 Alas for you, O land, when your king is a servant, and your princes feast in the morning!

NAB Ecclesiastes 10:16 Woe to you, O land, whose king was a servant, and whose princes dine in the morning!

GWN Ecclesiastes 10:16 How horrible it will be for any country where the king used to be a servant and where the high officials throw parties in the morning.

BBE Ecclesiastes 10:16 Unhappy is the land whose king is a boy, and whose rulers are feasting in the morning.

RSV Ecclesiastes 10:16 Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes feast in the morning!

when: 2Ch 13:7 33:1-20 36:2,5,9,11 Isa 3:4,5,12
and: Pr 20:1,2 Isa 5:11,12 28:7,8 Ho 7:5-7
in the: Jer 21:12

Woe to you, O land, whose king is a lad and whose princes feast in the morning

William Barrick - Due Diligence (Eccl 10:16–20) Turning to the status of a nation, Solomon introduces a woe-oracle (Eccl 10:16) and a declaration of blessing (Eccl 10:17). Thus the text describes two different national destinies: disaster or security.31 In a context dealing with wisdom, Solomon reveals that wise people truly care about how leaders govern their home country. It is the fool who does not care and who isolates himself or herself from how a government conducts its business and from those who lead it “in a world which is at once demanding (18), delightful (19) and dangerous (20).” (32 Kidner, A Time to Mourn, 94) A nation with a young and inexperienced king and profligate leaders is doomed (cf. Isa 5:11, 22–23; Prov 31:4–5). Security will be lax and the business of the nation will suffer from lack of mature and serious judgment (Eccl 10:16).

Ray Pritchard - Something New Under the Sun - LEADERS GOOD AND BAD Ecclesiastes 10:16-17

Warren Bennis is an educator, a philosopher, an author, a scholar, and a keen observer of the American scene. These are his words: "Leadership is a word that is on everyone's lips. The young fight against it. Police seek it. Experts claim it. The artists spurn it. Scholars want it. Bureaucrats pretend to have it and politicians wish they could find it. Everyone agrees on this one fact. There is less of it today than there used to be."

If I could add a footnote, it would be that we face a crisis of leadership inside the Christian church. Turn on the radio. Open the newspaper. Watch the 10 P.M. news for yet another story about a Catholic priest, a Protestant pastor, a vicar, a prelate, a spiritual leader caught in yet another moral failure, financial scandal, ecclesiastical upheaval—some shocking new revelation almost every week.

We are at that point in history where a generation of church leaders is passing from the scene. The leaders who rose to prominence after World War II are now retiring. Who will replace Billy Graham? Where will we find another theologian like Carl Henry? Who will be the next Francis Schaeffer to take the gospel and apply it to the problems of the modern world?

Solomon makes clear that we need leaders who will take their jobs seriously. They must be men and women who display the virtue of self-control. Leaders who party all day ("feast in the morning") bring nothing but sorrow to those who follow them. Leaders who eat at the proper time possess the forgotten virtue of self -control. Paul lists self-control in 1 Timothy 3:2 and Titus 1:8 as a non-optional qualification for spiritual leaders. The word he uses literally means to have a "safe mind"—that is, one not clouded by emotional mood swings or by artificial stimulants. The self-controlled person is experienced enough to keep his balance when life throws him a curve-ball. The word self-control also implies a sober and serious attitude. The person is not a goof or a lightweight flake. He or she is serious about spiritual things. This individual is great to have around when a tough decision needs to be made because he doesn't jump to conclusions or act solely on the basis of his emotions. He knows the right thing to do and isn't afraid to do it.

Blessed are the leaders who have discovered the power to do what they ought to do. Blessed are they, and blessed are those who follow them.

O Lord, pour out Your grace upon our leaders. Fill them with wisdom and courage to follow in the paths of righteousness so that we might live in peace and our land be blessed by You. Amen.

SHINING THE LIGHT

Do you agree that leadership is a noble calling from the Lord?
In your opinion what are the three most important qualities of a good leader? Why is character an all-important issue in leadership?

MORE LIGHT FROM GOD'S WORD Read Proverbs 28:12; Daniel 4; and 1 Timothy 3:1-8.

Ecclesiastes 10:17 Blessed are you, O land, whose king is of nobility and whose princes eat at the appropriate time--for strength and not for drunkenness.

KJV Ecclesiastes 10:17 Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!

NKJ Ecclesiastes 10:17 Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles, And your princes feast at the proper time-- For strength and not for drunkenness!

NET Ecclesiastes 10:17 Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobility, and your princes feast at the proper time– with self-control and not in drunkenness.

BGT Ecclesiastes 10:17 μακαρία σύ γῆ ἧς ὁ βασιλεύς σου υἱὸς ἐλευθέρων καὶ οἱ ἄρχοντές σου πρὸς καιρὸν φάγονται ἐν δυνάμει καὶ οὐκ αἰσχυνθήσονται

LXE Ecclesiastes 10:17 Blessed art thou, O land, whose king is a son of nobles, and whose princes shall eat seasonably, for strength, and shall not be ashamed.

CSB Ecclesiastes 10:17 Blessed are you, land, when your king is a son of nobles and your princes feast at the proper time-- for strength and not for drunkenness.

ESV Ecclesiastes 10:17 Happy are you, O land, when your king is the son of the nobility, and your princes feast at the proper time, for strength, and not for drunkenness!

NIV Ecclesiastes 10:17 Blessed are you, O land whose king is of noble birth and whose princes eat at a proper time-- for strength and not for drunkenness.

NLT Ecclesiastes 10:17 Happy is the land whose king is a noble leader and whose leaders feast at the proper time to gain strength for their work, not to get drunk.

YLT Ecclesiastes 10:17 Happy art thou, O land, When thy king is a son of freemen, And thy princes do eat in due season, For might, and not for drunkenness.

NJB Ecclesiastes 10:17 Happy the land whose king is nobly born, where princes eat at a respectable hour to keep themselves strong and not merely to revel!

NRS Ecclesiastes 10:17 Happy are you, O land, when your king is a nobleman, and your princes feast at the proper time-- for strength, and not for drunkenness!

NAB Ecclesiastes 10:17 Blessed are you, O land, whose king is of noble birth, and whose princes dine at the right time (for vigor and not in drinking bouts).

GWN Ecclesiastes 10:17 A country is blessed when the king is from a noble family and when the high officials eat at the right time in order to get strength and not to get drunk.

BBE Ecclesiastes 10:17 Happy is the land whose ruler is of noble birth, and whose chiefs take food at the right time, for strength and not for feasting.

RSV Ecclesiastes 10:17 Happy are you, O land, when your king is the son of free men, and your princes feast at the proper time, for strength, and not for drunkenness!

when: Ec 10:6,7 Pr 28:2,3 Jer 30:21
and thy: Pr 31:4,5

Blessed are you, O land, whose king is of nobility and whose princes eat at the appropriate time--for strength and not for drunkenness.

William Barrick - Blessing, however, awaits the land with an experienced king who comes from a noble heritage and who works together with officials not given to gluttony and drunkenness (Eccl 10:17). Good national leaders exhibit a personal independence, maturity, wisdom, and self-control. (33 Cp. Eaton, Ecclesiastes, 137) Selfish, arrogant, and pleasure-seeking leaders bring trouble to any nation. In Isaiah 3:1–5 the Lord announces that He will judge His people in Jerusalem and Judah by removing the mature, the experienced, the noble, and the influential and replace them in leadership with “mere lads” and “capricious children” who will bring in an oppressive government. Such a situation brings to mind the astoundingly pettiness and ignorance of Rehoboam as he rejected the counsel of his wiser elders and listened instead to the unwise council of rash young men in 1 Kings 12:10–12. Ecclesiastes 10 is on the verge of becoming a rude reality in Solomon’s kingdom. Perhaps with his powers of keen observation he sees the trouble brewing already and with his God-given wisdom discerns what will happen when his son inherits the throne. 2Ch 13:7 refers to Rehoboam being “young and timid and could not hold his own against” his worthless companions. “Young” here is relative, since he was 41 years of age when he became king (1 Kgs 14:21).

Ecclesiastes 10:18 Through indolence the rafters sag, and through slackness the house leaks.

KJV Ecclesiastes 10:18 By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.

NKJ Ecclesiastes 10:18 Because of laziness the building decays, And through idleness of hands the house leaks.

NET Ecclesiastes 10:18 Because of laziness the roof caves in, and because of idle hands the house leaks.

BGT Ecclesiastes 10:18 ἐν ὀκνηρίαις ταπεινωθήσεται ἡ δόκωσις καὶ ἐν ἀργίᾳ χειρῶν στάξει ἡ οἰκία

LXE Ecclesiastes 10:18 By slothful neglect a building will be brought low: and by idleness of the hands the house will fall to pieces.

CSB Ecclesiastes 10:18 Because of laziness the roof caves in, and because of negligent hands the house leaks.

ESV Ecclesiastes 10:18 Through sloth the roof sinks in, and through indolence the house leaks.

NIV Ecclesiastes 10:18 If a man is lazy, the rafters sag; if his hands are idle, the house leaks.

NLT Ecclesiastes 10:18 Laziness leads to a sagging roof; idleness leads to a leaky house.

YLT Ecclesiastes 10:18 By slothfulness is the wall brought low, And by idleness of the hands doth the house drop.

NJB Ecclesiastes 10:18 Thanks to idleness, the roof-tree gives way, thanks to carelessness, the house lets in the rain.

NRS Ecclesiastes 10:18 Through sloth the roof sinks in, and through indolence the house leaks.

NAB Ecclesiastes 10:18 When hands are lazy, the rafters sag; when hands are slack, the house leaks.

GWN Ecclesiastes 10:18 A roof sags because of laziness. A house leaks because of idle hands.

BBE Ecclesiastes 10:18 When no work is done the roof goes in, and when the hands do nothing water comes into the house.

RSV Ecclesiastes 10:18 Through sloth the roof sinks in, and through indolence the house leaks.

Pr 12:24 14:1 20:4 21:25 23:21 24:30,31 Heb 6:11 2Pe 1:5-10

Through indolence the rafters sag, and through slackness the house leaks.

William Barrick - What takes place within a nation might also take place within each citizen’s home. The lazy home owner will soon find himself living in a home on the verge of collapse—literally (Eccl 10:18). The roof sags precariously and the rain sprouts innumerable leaks. Ancient roofs were flat and sealed with lime, “which eventually cracked and allowed rain to seep in (cf. Prov 19:13; 27:15).” (34 Murphy, Ecclesiastes, 105.) In Eaton’s words, “If attention is not paid to the everyday details of life, the results become a crippling liability.” (35 Eaton, Ecclesiastes, 137) The proverb should be interpreted literally and applied liberally—it speaks in itself of a man’s need to maintain his home, but within this context that same axiomatic truth applies to the government of a nation just as accurately. (36 Daniel J. Estes, Handbook on the Wisdom Books) In government, Fredericks observes, “self-indulgent sluggards will only procrastinate the routine decisions necessary for the daily administration . . . . This indolence is the opposite of the urgency of the biblical work ethic.” (37 Fredericks, “Ecclesiastes,” 225 - See Eccl 9:10; Pr 10:4; Pr 18:9; Pr 20:4; Pr 28:2.)

Ray Pritchard - Something New Under the Sun - NO ROOM FOR SLUGGARDS Ecclesiastes 10:18

Hard work is a Christian virtue. The call to hard work is a call to truly purposeful living. It means not wasting your life but rather doing something with the opportunities that God has placed before you. It means that instead of wasting your days as a couch potato, you decide to get up and get busy. So many Christians just while away the hours, looking at the flowers, consulting with the rain. The game of life is being played all around us, and we are sitting on the bench, sound asleep.

Though your work will differ from my work and from everybody else's work, the elements of success are always the same: planning, forethought, diligence, enthusiasm, and a full commitment to whatever God has called you to do.

Are your rafters sagging? Get up and do something about it. Does your roof leak? Get up and plug those holes.

There is a world out there. Get in it. Don't sit on the sidelines. God gave you two hands; use them. God gave you a voice; speak up. Get up and in the name of God do something. Use your power, your intelligence, your vision, your gifts, and all that God gave you to make the world a better place.
Here is the application. What is it that you know you need to do this week that is undone in your life? It will take you less than three seconds to answer that question. I already know what it is in my life. Now that you know what it is, name it. Plan it. Schedule it. Do it. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might because in the grave where you are going there is no planning, no foresight, no work. You want to rest? You will have plenty of time to rest after the grave. Until then, stay busy doing what needs to be done.

Ο God, help me to do my work as if Your reputation depended upon it. Amen.

SHINING THE LIGHT

Do you have a reputation as a hard worker? What would your friends say?
How many unfinished projects are there in your life right now?

MORE LIGHT FROM GOD'S WORD Read Proverbs 24:30-34; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; and 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Ecclesiastes 10:19 Men prepare a meal for enjoyment, and wine makes life merry, and money is the answer to everything.

KJV Ecclesiastes 10:19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.

NKJ Ecclesiastes 10:19 A feast is made for laughter, And wine makes merry; But money answers everything.

NET Ecclesiastes 10:19 Feasts are made for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.

BGT Ecclesiastes 10:19 εἰς γέλωτα ποιοῦσιν ἄρτον καὶ οἶνος εὐφραίνει ζῶντας καὶ τοῦ ἀργυρίου ἐπακούσεται σὺν τὰ πάντα

LXE Ecclesiastes 10:19 Men prepare bread for laughter, and wine and oil that the living should rejoice: but to money all things will humbly yield obedience.

CSB Ecclesiastes 10:19 A feast is prepared for laughter, and wine makes life happy, and money is the answer for everything.

ESV Ecclesiastes 10:19 Bread is made for laughter, and wine gladdens life, and money answers everything.

NIV Ecclesiastes 10:19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.

NLT Ecclesiastes 10:19 A party gives laughter, wine gives happiness, and money gives everything!

YLT Ecclesiastes 10:19 For mirth they are making a feast, And wine maketh life joyful, And the silver answereth with all.

NJB Ecclesiastes 10:19 We give parties to enjoy ourselves, wine makes us cheerful and money has an answer for everything.

NRS Ecclesiastes 10:19 Feasts are made for laughter; wine gladdens life, and money meets every need.

NAB Ecclesiastes 10:19 Bread and oil call forth merriment and wine makes the living glad, but money answers for everything.

GWN Ecclesiastes 10:19 A meal is made for laughter, and wine makes life pleasant, but money is the answer for everything.

BBE Ecclesiastes 10:19 A feast is for laughing, and wine makes glad the heart; but by the one and the other money is wasted.

RSV Ecclesiastes 10:19 Bread is made for laughter, and wine gladdens life, and money answers everything.

feast: Ec 2:1,2 7:2-6 Ge 43:34 Da 5:1-12 1Pe 4:3
and wine: Ec 9:7 Ps 104:15 Isa 24:11 1Sa 25:36 2Sa 13:28 Lu 12:19 Eph 5:18,19
maketh merry: Heb. maketh glad the life
but: Money which would have answered every good purpose, and served for every emergency, is too often spent in feastings and revellings. Ec 7:11,12 1Ch 21:24 29:2-9 2Ch 24:11-14 Ezr 1:6 7:15-18 Ne 5:8 Ps 112:9 Isa 23:18 Mt 17:27 19:21 Lu 8:3 16:9 Ac 2:45 11:29 Php 4:15-19 1Ti 6:17-19

Men prepare a meal for enjoyment, and wine makes life merry, and money is the answer to everything

William Barrick - The opposite of laziness is diligence. The lazy will suffer loss, but the diligent will enjoy the fruits of their labors. They enjoy food enough, drink enough, and money enough to take care of every need (Eccl 10:19). This positive interpretation of the verse depends upon associating it with the appropriate behavior of wise rulers in Eccl 10:17, rather than connecting it with the irresponsible feasting of foolish officials in Eccl 10:16. (38 Estes, Handbook on the Wisdom Books, 368) According to Garrett, “The point is that at least some money is essential for enjoying life, and steps must therefore be taken to insure that the economy (be it national or personal) is sound.” (39 Garrett, Ecclesiastes, 336–37) Solomon already addressed the positive value of money or wealth in Eccl 2:26; 5:19; and Eccl 7:11–12.

Ray Pritchard - Something New Under the Sun - WHAT MONEY CAN’T BUY Ecclesiastes 10:19

The final phrase of verse 19 might have caught your attention: "Money is the answer for everything." Indeed, commentators differ on its meaning. Is this an ironic jab at those who think money can solve every problem, or is this Solomon's sober evaluation of life as it stands? I suggest the latter as more appropriate because in one sense money is indeed the answer for everything.

The Bible never condemns money per se. A quarter is a morally neutral object—capable of being spent in a million different ways—some good, some not so good, and some positively evil. That quarter can be combined with others to provide food for a homeless

man; it can also purchase pornography; or it can make a phone call to a lonely grandmother. The coin could end up traveling to Thailand to buy a hymnbook, or it could help to pay the first installment on a semester's college tuition. A teenager could use it to help buy a blouse—or bullets for a street gang. Who knows? In each case the moral value of money is determined by the ends to which it is put.

Jesus made the same point in Luke 16:9: "I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings." Notice the reason He gives—"so that when it is gone." What is the "it" He is talking about? Money and everything money can buy. Money fails in the end. Five minutes after you are dead someone else will have your money. Five minutes after death your checkbook will be useless to you. Think of it. All you live for, the accumulated wealth of a lifetime, everything you dreamed about, every cent you ever saved, every investment—all of it is gone forever.

After a rich man dies, people often say, "How much did he leave?" The answer is always the same: He left it all. The question is not, How much did you make? The question is, How did you spend what you had while you had it? Did you buy houses, land, stocks, furniture, new cars, new clothes? Is that all you did with your money? Was that the goal of your life? Or did you use your money to invest in things that will last forever? Those are your only two choices.

Father, thank You for so many good gifts. I pray for the wisdom to enjoy all that is mine and to use it for Your glory. Amen.

SHINING THE LIGHT

In what sense is money the answer for everything?
Name three things money can't buy. Name three worthwhile things you could do if you had enough money.

MORE LIGHT FROM GOD'S WORD Read Proverbs 8:10-19; Luke 12:27-34; and 1 Corinthians 3:10-15.

Ecclesiastes 10:20 Furthermore, in your bedchamber do not curse a king, and in your sleeping rooms do not curse a rich man, for a bird of the heavens will carry the sound and the winged creature will make the matter known.

KJV Ecclesiastes 10:20 Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.

NKJ Ecclesiastes 10:20 Do not curse the king, even in your thought; Do not curse the rich, even in your bedroom; For a bird of the air may carry your voice, And a bird in flight may tell the matter.

NET Ecclesiastes 10:20 Do not curse a king even in your thoughts, and do not curse the rich while in your bedroom; for a bird might report what you are thinking, or some winged creature might repeat your words.

BGT Ecclesiastes 10:20 καί γε ἐν συνειδήσει σου βασιλέα μὴ καταράσῃ καὶ ἐν ταμιείοις κοιτώνων σου μὴ καταράσῃ πλούσιον ὅτι πετεινὸν τοῦ οὐρανοῦ ἀποίσει σὺν τὴν φωνήν καὶ ὁ ἔχων τὰς πτέρυγας ἀπαγγελεῖ λόγον

LXE Ecclesiastes 10:20 Even in thy conscience, curse not the king; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry thy voice, and that which has wings shall report thy speech.

CSB Ecclesiastes 10:20 Do not curse the king even in your thoughts, and do not curse a rich person even in your bedroom, for a bird of the sky may carry the message, and a winged creature may report the matter.

ESV Ecclesiastes 10:20 Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king, nor in your bedroom curse the rich, for a bird of the air will carry your voice, or some winged creature tell the matter.

NIV Ecclesiastes 10:20 Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird of the air may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say.

NLT Ecclesiastes 10:20 Never make light of the king, even in your thoughts. And don't make fun of the powerful, even in your own bedroom. For a little bird might deliver your message and tell them what you said.

YLT Ecclesiastes 10:20 Even in thy mind a king revile not, And in the inner parts of thy bed-chamber Revile not the rich: For a fowl of the heavens causeth the voice to go, And a possessor of wings declareth the word.

NJB Ecclesiastes 10:20 Do not abuse the king, even in thought, do not abuse a rich man, even in your bedroom, for a bird of the air might carry the news, a winged messenger might repeat what you have said.

NRS Ecclesiastes 10:20 Do not curse the king, even in your thoughts, or curse the rich, even in your bedroom; for a bird of the air may carry your voice, or some winged creature tell the matter.

NAB Ecclesiastes 10:20 Even in your thoughts do not make light of the king, nor in the privacy of your bedroom revile the rich. Because the birds of the air may carry your voice, a winged creature may tell what you say.

GWN Ecclesiastes 10:20 Don't curse the king even in your thoughts, and don't curse rich people even in your bedroom. A bird may carry your words, or some winged creature may repeat what you say.

BBE Ecclesiastes 10:20 Say not a curse against the king, even in your thoughts; and even secretly say not a curse against the man of wealth; because a bird of the air will take the voice, and that which has wings will give news of it.

RSV Ecclesiastes 10:20 Even in your thought, do not curse the king, nor in your bedchamber curse the rich; for a bird of the air will carry your voice, or some winged creature tell the matter.

Curse: Ex 22:28 Isa 8:21 Ac 23:5
thought: or, conscience, Ec 7:21,22 Lu 19:40
in thy bedchamber: Lu 10:40 12:2,3

Furthermore, in your bedchamber do not curse a king, and in your sleeping rooms do not curse a rich man, for a bird of the heavens will carry the sound and the winged creature will make the matter known.

William Barrick - Lastly, Solomon returns to private speech and rumors to warn against speaking unwisely about the king (Eccl 10:20; cp. Eccl 7:21–22). Cursing a ruler comprises a violation of the Mosaic law (Exod 22:28). Paul instructed Timothy to pray for “kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity” (1 Tim 2:1–2). “Cursing political leaders is wrong in itself,” Within the royal household few words can be spoken without someone overhearing them (see 2 Kgs 6:12)—even the walls of one’s bedroom have ears. Using a bird as the illustration implies the speed with which idle words can make their way to the ears of the slandered person.
Eccl 10:20 closes the chapter by twice giving an instruction to not speak a curse even within the quiet seclusion of one’s bedroom. When compared with the proverb of Eccl 9:17, there is a measure of irony that, having given positive significance to a failure to listen to quiet words publicly spoken at the end of Eccl 9, Solomon ends Eccl 10 with a warning about the certainty of hearing quiet words privately spoken. Eaton concludes that “The verse challenges us to remain calm in days of national sloth, immaturity and indulgence, and calls for a submissive approach to authority, giving an expedient reason for obedience.” (40 Eaton, Ecclesiastes, 138.) It really is a matter of patriotic respect for governmental leaders. In his book, Politics According to the Bible, Wayne Grudem reminds his readers that “The Bible teaches Christians to obey and honor the leaders of the nation in which they live.” (Grudem, Politics According to the Bible) He identifies this instruction in both the New Testament (Rom 13:1–7; 1 Pet 2:13–17) and the Old (Prov 24:21; Eccl 10:20; Jer 29:4–7). (42 Grudem,110–11)

Three kinds of animals mentioned in Eccl 10:1–20 will help us remember the message of the passage. The diminutive size and seeming insignificance of flies, snakes, and birds conceal the great potential for harm that they possess. (43 Sidney Greidanus, Preaching Christ from Ecclesiastes) The flies, after all, were “flies of death” (or, “deadly flies”; Eccl 10:1). The serpent’s bite can also be deadly (Eccl 10:8, 11) and the little bird carrying one’s words to the king can bring dire consequences (Eccl 10:20). Bird flu epidemics have cost the lives of thousands of people even in the modern era of scientific medicine—evidence that small animals bring enormous consequences. If nothing else, this chapter teaches us to pay proper attention to the so-called “little things” in life both personally and nationally. Everything a person does matters. The character of a government leader matters. Even a little word can have far-reaching effects.

Questions for study:
• What little things in life possess the potential to bring substantial harm upon an individual?
• What seemingly insignificant factors have the potential to bring about serious consequences for a nation?
• How can we identify a biblical fool?

Identify some of the preparations necessary for a wise and secure life on a daily basis.
• What are the qualities of a good national leader?

Ray Pritchard - Something New Under the Sun - LITTLE BIRDS ARE LISTENING Ecclesiastes 10:20

The above verse wraps up a section that deals with what we might call good citizenship. The Pulpit Commentary groups verses 16-20 under the title "Duties of rulers and subjects," with verses 16-19 dealing with good and bad rulers and verse 20 covering the duty of loyalty on the part of subjects.

Fundamentally verse 20 contains a warning against too much loose talk. We could paraphrase it: "Be careful what you say because your casual comments may get back to those in authority and you could end up in big trouble." Even a "harmless" joke around the office water-cooler may sound much different when it is repeated in your supervisor's office. We needn't assume that the person doing the speaking has mischief or malice in his heart. He may, but that's not the point. Sometimes in a moment of frustration we may blow off steam, saying things we don't really mean, or at least saying things in small pieces that we wouldn't say if given the chance to state them in a thoughtful manner. Or we may make a comment—humorous or not—that is truly innocent but somehow can be misinterpreted by others and used against us later. How many people have lost their jobs or any chance at career advancement precisely because they were judged to be loose cannons who could not be trusted?

Underlying this warning lies the truth that even bad leaders deserve our respect. If we believe in God at all, we must believe that promotion comes from the Lord (Psalm 75:5 -6) and that the "powers that be" are ordained by God (Romans 13:1). He raises up one ruler and brings down another. This applies just as much to office politics as to national politics. Your boss is where he is because God wants him there—which means that sometimes unworthy people are promoted to places of authority for reasons known only to God.

The lesson is clear. Be careful what you say about those in authority over you. Loose lips sink ships. They can also sink your career. So watch what you say.

Lord God, set a seal upon m y lips lest I should say anything in private that I would be embarrassed to hear repeated in public. Amen.

SHINING THE LIGHT

How would you feel if everything you said in the last forty-eight hours was broadcast over the radio? Would you have any reason to be embarrassed or ashamed?
How do you spot a person whose lips are truly under God's control?

MORE LIGHT FROM GOD'S WORD Read Exodus 22:28; 2 Kings 2:23-25; and Acts 23:1-5.

Book

Ecclesiastes

Search

Ecclesiastes 10 Commentary

Flies Make a Rancid Stench
A little sin can cause a big stink

Toward which path is your heart
directing you, toward the right or the left?

When criticized unfairly,
calmly resist the urge to react

Fools in high places!

A world out of order:
People unfit to rule exalted,
Qualified are disregarded.

Book

Search

Ecclesiastes 10 Commentary

Flies Make a Rancid Stench A little sin can cause a big stink

Toward which path is your heart directing you, toward the right or the left?

When criticized unfairly, calmly resist the urge to react

Fools in high places!

A world out of order: People unfit to rule exalted, Qualified are disregarded.

Book

Flies Make a Rancid Stench
A little sin can cause a big stink

Toward which path is your heart
directing you, toward the right or the left?

When criticized unfairly,
calmly resist the urge to react

A world out of order:
People unfit to rule exalted,
Qualified are disregarded.