About Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes examines life's meaning "under the sun," concluding that true purpose is found only in fearing God.

Author: SolomonWritten: c. 940-930 BCReading time: ~3 minVerses: 20
MeaninglessnessWisdomEnjoymentDeathFear of GodPurpose

King James Version

Ecclesiastes 10

20 verses with commentary

The Folly of Fools

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. Dead: Heb. Flies of death

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour</strong> (יַבְאִישׁ יַבִּיעַ שֶׁמֶן רוֹקֵחַ זְבוּבֵי מָוֶת)—the Hebrew <em>zevuvei mavet</em> (זְבוּבֵי מָוֶת, flies of death/dead flies) contaminate expensive perfumed oil (<em>shemen roqeach</em>, שֶׁמֶן רוֹקֵחַ, apothecary's ointment). The verb <em>yav'ish</em> (יַבְאִישׁ, cause to stink) emphasizes how smal...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**22. Without counsel--**or, "deliberation," implying a wise deference to the opinions of the wise and good, contrasted with rashness.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 10 Through the whole of the Proverbs, we are to look for somewhat beyond the first sense the passage may imply, and this we shall find to be Christ. He is the Wisdom so often spoken of in this book. **Verse 1** The comfort of parents much depends on their children; and this suggests to both, motives to their duties.
2

A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left</strong> (לֵב חָכָם לִימִינוֹ וְלֵב כְּסִיל לִשְׂמֹאלוֹ)—this proverbial saying uses spatial metaphor for moral orientation. In ancient cultures, the right hand symbolized strength, honor, and correctness (Psalm 16:11; Matthew 25:33), while the left suggested weakness or awkwardness. The <em>lev</em> (לֵב, heart) in He...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(2) **At his right hand.**—Perhaps better, *towards his right hand, i.e., *leads him to go to the right hand. The thought is the same as Ecclesiastes 2:13, namely, that though the actual results of wisdom are often disappointing, the superiority of wisdom over folly is undeniable.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

23. Good advice blesses the giver and receiver.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 2-3** Though the righteous may be poor, the Lord will not suffer him to want what is needful for spiritual life.
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. his: Heb. his heart

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him</strong> (וְגַם־בַּדֶּרֶךְ כְּשֶׁסָּכָל הֹלֵךְ לִבּוֹ חָסֵר)—the phrase "walketh by the way" (<em>ba-derekh holekh</em>, בַּדֶּרֶךְ הֹלֵךְ) means ordinary daily activity. Even in routine matters, the fool's <em>lev</em> (לֵב, heart/mind) is <em>chaser</em> (חָסֵר, lacking/deficient). Folly isn't occasional lapse bu...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(3) **That he is a fool.**—In Hebrew, as in English, the antecedent of “he” may be taken differently, and so the Vulg. and other authorities understand the verse as meaning that the fool in his self-conceit attributes folly to everyone else. But it is better, as well as more obvious, to take the verse of the self-betrayal of the fool (Proverbs 13:16; Proverbs 17:28; Proverbs 18:2).

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

24. (Compare Col 3:2). Holy purposes prevent sinning, and so its evils.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 2-3** Though the righteous may be poor, the Lord will not suffer him to want what is needful for spiritual life.
4

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

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place</strong> (אִם־רוּחַ הַמּוֹשֵׁל תַּעֲלֶה עָלֶיךָ מְקוֹמְךָ אַל־תַּנַּח)—when a superior's <em>ruach</em> (רוּחַ, spirit/anger) rises against you, don't abandon your <em>maqom</em> (מָקוֹם, place/position). The temptation when facing unjust anger is to resign, flee, or retaliate. The Preacher counsels remaining steadfast in...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(4) We return now to the thought of Ecclesiastes 8:3. For “spirit” in the sense of “anger,” see Judges 8:3. **Rise up.—**Psalm 78:21; 2Samuel 11:20. **Yielding.**—Literally, *healing. *(See Proverbs 15:4.) **Pacifieth great offences.**—Rather, probably, *quieteth great offences, *that is to say, not so much “puts an end to the offence felt by the ruler,” as to the offences likely to be committed i...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

25. The most desolate who have God's aid have more permanent good than the self-reliant sinner (Pr 2:22; 12:7). **border--**or, "boundary for possessions" (Psa 78:54).

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verse 4** Those who are fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, are likely to be rich in faith, and rich in good works.
5

There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler: from: Heb. from before

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler</strong> (יֵשׁ רָעָה רָאִיתִי תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ כִּשְׁגָגָה שֶׁיֹּצָא מִלִּפְנֵי הַשַּׁלִּיט)—the Preacher identifies a specific <em>ra'ah</em> (רָעָה, evil/calamity) he has personally observed (<em>ra'iti</em>, רָאִיתִי, I have seen). He characterizes it as <em>shegagah</em> (שְׁגָגָה, error/inad...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(5) **Error.—**The word is the same as at Ecclesiastes 10:6.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**26. are pleasant words--**that is, pleasing to God (Pr 8:8, 9).

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verse 5** Here is just blame of those who trifle away opportunities, both for here and for hereafter.
6

Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place. in great: Heb. in great heights

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place</strong> (נִתַּן הַסֶּכֶל בַּמְּרוֹמִים רַבִּים וַעֲשִׁירִים בַּשֵּׁפֶל יֵשֵׁבוּ)—this completes the observation begun in 10:5. <em>Sekhel</em> (סֶּכֶל, folly) is placed in <em>meromim rabim</em> (מְרוֹמִים רַבִּים, great heights/dignified positions). Meanwhile, the <em>ashirim</em> (עֲשִׁירִים, rich/wealthy) sit in <em>shephel</...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

27. (Compare Pr 11:17). Avarice brings trouble to him and his. **hateth gifts--**or, "bribes" (Ex 23:8; Psa 15:5), and is not avaricious.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verse 6** Abundance of blessings shall abide on good men; real blessings.
7

I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth</strong>—a vivid description of social disorder where status hierarchies are inverted. The Hebrew <em>avadim</em> (עֲבָדִים, servants/slaves) mounted on horses (symbols of nobility and military power) contrasts sharply with <em>sarim</em> (שָׂרִים, princes/rulers) reduced to walking like commoners. This isn't ...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(7) Considering that the importation of horses was a new thing in the reign of Solomon, we look on it as a mark of later age that a noble should think himself dishonoured by having to go on foot while his inferiors rode on horseback.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

28. (Compare Pr 15:14; 10:11). Caution is the fruit of wisdom; rashness of folly.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verse 7** Both the just and the wicked must die; but between their souls there is a vast difference.
8

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

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it</strong>—this proverbial wisdom warns that harmful schemes often backfire on their perpetrators. The Hebrew <em>choreh gumatz</em> (חֹרֶה גּוּמָץ, digs a pit) refers to trap-digging, while <em>yipol-bo</em> (יִפָּל־בּוֹ, falls into it) describes poetic justice. Proverbs 26:27 parallels this: "Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein." The second line ...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(8) Commentators cannot be said to have been very successful in their attempts to trace a connection between the proverbs of this chapter. Perhaps nothing better can be said than that the common theme of these proverbs is the advantage of wisdom, and here in particular of caution in great enterprises. It is forcing the connection to imagine that the enterprise from which the writer seeks to dissua...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**29. far ... wicked--**in His love and favor (Psa 22:11; 119:155).

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verse 8** The wise in heart puts his knowledge in practice.
9

Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby</strong>—this verse continues the theme of occupational hazards from verse 8. The Hebrew <em>massia avanim</em> (מַסִּיעַ אֲבָנִים, quarrying/removing stones) and <em>voqea etzim</em> (בּוֹקֵעַ עֵצִים, splitting wood) describe necessary but dangerous work. <em>Ye'atzev bahem</em> (יֵעָצֵב ב...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(9) **Removeth.**—The nearest parallel is 1Kings 5:17, where the word is used with regard to the quarryings, not the removing of stones. For the latter sense, however, there is countenance in 2Kings 4:4, where the word is translated “set aside.” **Cleaveth wood.—**Or, *cutteth down trees, *an operation not free from danger (Deuteronomy 19:5).

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**30. light of the eyes--**(Pr 13:9). What gives light rejoiceth the heart, by relieving from anxiety as to our course; so **good report--**or, "doctrine" (Is 28:9; 53:1), **maketh ... fat--**or, "gives prosperity" (Pr 3:13-17; 9:11). The last clause is illustrated by the first.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verse 9** Dissemblers, after all their shuffling, will be exposed.
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.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength</strong>—the Hebrew <em>qehah ha-barzel</em> (קֵהָה הַבַּרְזֶל, the iron is dull) describes an unsharpened axe or tool. <em>Lo-fanim qilqal</em> (לֹא־פָנִים קִלְקַל, does not sharpen the edge beforehand) emphasizes preventive maintenance. Working with dull tools requires excessive <em>chayil</em> (חַיִל, s...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(10) The wording of this verse in the original is very obscure; and we can only say of the rendering in the text that it seems to be preferred to any which it has been proposed to substitute for it. The mention of cutting wood in the preceding verse suggests the illustration from the axe, exemplifying how wisdom will serve instead of strength. **Iron.**—2Kings 6:5; Isaiah 10:34; Proverbs 27:17. **...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

31-32. (Compare Pr 10:17). **reproof of life--**which leads to life. **abideth ... wise--**is numbered among them.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verse 10** Trick and artifice will be no excuse for iniquity.
11

Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better. a babbler: Heb. the master of the tongue

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment</strong>—the Hebrew <em>im-yishokh ha-nachash be-lo lachash</em> (אִם־יִשֹּׁךְ הַנָּחָשׁ בְּלוֹא לָחַשׁ) describes a snake biting before the charmer can use his <em>lachash</em> (לַחַשׁ, incantation/whisper). Ancient snake charmers claimed to control serpents through spells and whispered formulas (Psalm 58:4-5; Jeremiah 8:17). If the snake s...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(11) This also is a difficult verse. Literally translated it is, *If the serpent bite for lack of enchantment, there is no advantage to the master of the tongue. *It seems best to follow the LXX. and other interpreters, and take the “master of the tongue” to mean the snake charmer, who possesses the “voice of the charmer” (Psalm 58:5). The whisperings of the snake charmer, so often described by Ea...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

31-32. (Compare Pr 10:17). **reproof of life--**which leads to life. **abideth ... wise--**is numbered among them.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verse 11** The good man's mouth is always open to teach, comfort, and correct others.
12

The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. gracious: Heb. grace

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious</strong>—the Hebrew <em>divrei pi-chakham chen</em> (דִּבְרֵי פִי־חָכָם חֵן) describes speech characterized by <em>chen</em> (חֵן, grace/favor/charm). Wise words bring blessing to both speaker and hearers, creating favor and building relationships. Proverbs repeatedly praises gracious speech (Proverbs 15:23, 16:24, 25:11). This contrasts sharply...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**33. The fear ... wisdom--**Wisdom instructs in true piety. **before ... humility--**(compare Lu 24:26; 1Pe 1:11); opposite (compare Pr 16:18).

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verse 12** Where there is hatred, every thing stirs up strife. By bearing with each other, peace and harmony are preserved.
13

The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness. his talk: Heb. his mouth

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness</strong>—this verse describes the progressive deterioration of the fool's speech. The Hebrew <em>techilat divrei fihu siklut</em> (תְּחִלַּת דִּבְרֵי־פִיהוּ סִכְלוּת, the beginning of his mouth's words is folly) shows the fool starts badly. But it gets worse: <em>ve-acharit pihu holelut r...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verse 13** Those that foolishly go on in wicked ways, prepare rods for themselves.
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? is full: Heb. multiplieth words

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KJV Study Commentary

The phrase 'full of words' (yarbeh devarim) literally means 'multiplies words,' indicating excessive, endless talking without substance or wisdom. The Hebrew construction emphasizes the fool's inability to stop talking despite having nothing of value to contribute. This contrasts sharply with wisdom literature's repeated emphasis on carefully measured, restrained speech (Proverbs 10:19, 17:28). Th...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(14) **A man cannot tell.**—This thought occurs repeatedly in this book. (See *reff.*) The connection here would be better seen if the clause were introduced with “and yet.” The fool’s courageous loquacity is contrasted with the cautious silence which experience of his ignorance has taught the wise man.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

CHAPTER 16 Pr 16:1-33. **1. preparations--**schemes. **in man--**or literally, "to man," belonging, or pertaining to him. **the answer ... Lord--**The efficient ordering is from God: "Man proposes; God disposes."

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verse 14** Whatever knowledge may be useful, we must lay it up, that it may not be to seek when we want it. The wise gain this wisdom by reading, by hearing the word, by meditation, by prayer, by faith in Christ, who is made of God unto us wisdom.
15

The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them</strong> (עֲמַל הַכְּסִילִים תְּיַגְּעֶנּוּ, <em>amal hakseilim teyagge'ennu</em>)—'the toil of fools wearies him,' from <em>yaga</em> (to be weary, exhausted, spent). <strong>Because he knoweth not how to go to the city</strong> (אֲשֶׁר לֹא־יָדַע לָלֶכֶת אֶל־עִיר, <em>asher lo-yada lalekhet el-ir</em>)—literally 'for he knows not to go ...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(15) **To go to the city.**—Evidently a proverbial expression; “is not able to find his way on a plain road.” (Comp. Isaiah 35:8.)

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**2. clean--**or, "faultless." **weigheth--**or, "tries," "judges," implying that they are faulty (Pr 21:2; 24:12).

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verse 15** This refers to the common mistakes both of rich and poor, as to their outward condition. Rich people's wealth exposes them to many dangers; while a poor man may live comfortably, if he is content, keeps a good conscience, and lives by faith.
16

Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child</strong> (אִי־לָךְ אֶרֶץ שֶׁמַּלְכֵּךְ נָעַר, <em>i-lakh erets shemalkekhna'ar</em>)—'woe to you, land, whose king is a youth.' The term <em>na'ar</em> can mean a child or simply an immature/inexperienced person. <strong>And thy princes eat in the morning</strong> (וְשָׂרֶיךָ בַּבֹּקֶר יֹאכֵלוּ, <em>vesarekha baboqer yokhelu</em>)—and your offi...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(16) **Woe.**—See Note on Ecclesiastes 4:10. **A child.**—The Hebrew word has a wide range, being constantly translated *lad *or *young man, *and applied, for instance, to Solomon (1Chronicles 29:1), to Rehoboam (2Chronicles 13:7), and according to a usage common to many languages (*e.g., *the Latin *puer*)*, *it often means a servant (2Samuel 16:1, &c). Some take it in that sense here, contrastin...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

3. (Compare Margin). Rely on God for success to your lawful purposes.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verse 16** Perhaps a righteous man has no more than what he works hard for, but that labour tends to life.
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!

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles</strong> (אַשְׁרֵיךְ אֶרֶץ שֶׁמַּלְכֵּךְ בֶּן־חוֹרִים, <em>ashreyikh erets shemalkekhben-chorim</em>)—'happy are you, land, whose king is the son of nobles,' using <em>ashrey</em> (blessed, happy), the Psalms' beatitude formula. <strong>And thy princes eat in due season</strong> (וְשָׂרֶיךָ בָּעֵת יֹאכֵלוּ, <em>vesarekha ba'et yo...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**4. for himself--**"for its answer," or "purpose," that is, according to God's plan; the wicked are for the day of evil (Psa 49:5; Jr 17:18); sinning and suffering answer to each other, are indissolubly united.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verse 17** The traveller that has missed his way, and cannot bear to be told of it, and to be shown the right way, must err still.
18

By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>By much slothfulness the building decayeth</strong> (בַּעֲצַלְתַּיִם יִמַּךְ הַמְּקָרֶה, <em>ba'atsaltayim yimmakh hammeqareh</em>)—literally 'through double idleness/sloth, the rafters sink.' The dual form <em>atsaltayim</em> (slothfulness) intensifies the concept—extreme laziness. The verb <em>makh</em> means to sink, collapse, or decay. <strong>And through idleness of the hands the hous...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(18) **Droppeth**—*i.e., *lets the rain drop through.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

5. (Compare Pr 3:32).

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verse 18** He is especially a fool who thinks to hide anything from God; and malice is no better.
19

A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry : but money answereth all things. maketh: Heb. maketh glad the life

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>A feast is made for laughter</strong> (לִשְׂחוֹק עֹשִׂים לֶחֶם, <em>lishoq osim lechem</em>)—literally 'for laughter they make bread/feast,' from <em>lechem</em> (bread, food). <strong>And wine maketh merry</strong> (וְיַיִן יְשַׂמַּח חַיִּים, <em>veyayin yesamach chayim</em>)—'and wine gladdens life,' using <em>samach</em> (to rejoice, be glad). <strong>But money answereth all things</str...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(19) I look on these verses as isolated proverbs, and believe that the obvious meaning suggested by the English of this verse is the right one. Those who strive to trace a continuity of thought take Ecclesiastes 10:18 as a figurative description of the ruin of an ill-governed land; Ecclesiastes 10:19 as describing the riot of those rulers who make feasts for merriment, and have money freely at the...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**6. By mercy and truth--**that is, God's (Psa 85:10); He effects the atonement, or covering of sin; and the principles of true piety incline men to depart from evil; or, "mercy" and "truth" may be man's, indicative of the gracious tempers which work instrumentally in procuring pardon. **purged--**expiated (as in Le 16:33; Is 27:9, Hebrew).

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verse 19** Those that speak much, speak much amiss. He that checks himself is a wise man, and therein consults his own peace.
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. thought: or, conscience

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Curse not the king, no not in thy thought</strong> (גַּם בְּמַדָּעֲךָ מֶלֶךְ אַל־תְּקַלֵּל, <em>gam bemadda'akha melekh al-teqalel</em>)—'even in your knowledge/mind, do not curse the king,' using <em>madda</em> (thought, knowledge). <strong>And curse not the rich in thy bedchamber</strong> (וּבְחַדְרֵי מִשְׁכָּבְךָ אַל־תְּקַלֵּל עָשִׁיר, <em>uvechadrei mishkavekha al-teqalel ashir</em>)—'...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(20) **Thought.**—A word of later Hebrew, found only in Daniel and Chronicles. **That which hath wings.**—Literally, *master of wings*; and so also Proverbs 1:17. (Comp. “master of the tongue,” Ecclesiastes 10:11.) Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission. Bible Hub

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

7. Persecutions, of course, excepted.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 20-21** The tongue of the just is sincere, freed from the dross of guile and evil design. Pious discourse is spiritual food to the needy. Fools die for want of a heart, so the word is; for want of thought.

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