Ecclesiastes 10
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
(Ecc. 10:1-20) Following up Ecc 9:18. him that is in reputation--for example, David (Sa2 12:14); Solomon (1Ki. 11:1-43); Jehoshaphat (2Ch. 18:1-34; Ch2 19:2); Josiah (Ch2 35:22). The more delicate the perfume, the more easily spoiled is the ointment. Common oil is not so liable to injury. So the higher a man's religious character is, the more hurt is caused by a sinful folly in him. Bad savor is endurable in oil, but not in what professes to be, and is compounded by the perfumer ("apothecary") for, fragrance. "Flies" answer to "a little folly" (sin), appropriately, being small (Co1 5:6); also, "Beelzebub" means prince of flies. "Ointment" answers to "reputation" (Ecc 7:1; Gen 34:30). The verbs are singular, the noun plural, implying that each of the flies causes the stinking savor.
Open source ↗Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour,.... Such, as Jarchi observes, are in the winter season, which are weak and near to death, and get into precious ointment, prepared after the best manner, where they die, and corrupt and spoil it: or, "flies of deaths" (m); deadly ones, which have something in their nature poisonous and pernicious; which, when they light upon the most sweet and savoury ointment, give it an ill smell; so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour; a good name is like precious ointment, valuable and fragrant; sin, which is folly, is like a dead fly; not only light and mean, and base and worthless, but hurtful and pernicious, deadly, and the cause of death; and what may seem little, a peccadillo, or, however, one single act of sin, may injure the character of a wise and honourable man, and greatly expose him to shame and contempt, and cause him to stink in the nostrils of men, Gen 36:20; and to be reproached by men, and religion and government to be reproached for his sake. Thus the affair of Bathsheba and Uriah, what a slur did it bring on the character of David, so famous for wisdom and honour, for religion and piety? and the idolatry of Solomon, the wisest of men; Jehoshaphat, that good king, entering into affinity with Ahab; and pious Josiah going to war with the king of Egypt, contrary to the word of the Lord; with many other instances. This teaches how careful men eminent for gifts and grace should be of their words and actions; since the least thing amiss in them is easily discerned, and soon taken notice of, as the least speck in a diamond, or spot in fine linen, clean and white; and there are wicked and envious persons enough watching for their halting, glad to have an occasion…
Open source ↗The second half of the foregoing double proverb introduces what now follows: "Poisonous flies make to stink, make to ferment the oil of the preparer of ointment; heavier than wisdom, than honour, weighs a little folly." We do not need to change מות זבוּבי, on account of the foll. sing. of the pred., either into זבוגי ם (as possible by Hitz.) or זב ימוּתי (Luzz.); both are inadmissible, for the style of Koheleth is not adorned with archaisms such as Chirek compaginis; and also such an attrib. clause as זבוב ימות, a fly which dies," is for him too refined; but both are also unnecessary, for a plur. of the subj., in which the plurality of the individuals comes less into view than the oneness of their character, is frequently enough followed by the sing. of the pred., e.g., Gen 39:22; Joe 1:20; Isa 59:12, etc. It is a question, however, whether by זבובי מות, death-bringing, i.e., poisonous flies (lxx, Targ., Luther) (Note: The Targ. interprets, as the Talm. and Mid. do, deadly flies as a figure of the prava concupiscentia. Similarly Wangemann: a mind buried in the world.) or dead flies (Symm., Syr., Jerome) is meant. We decide in favour of the former; for (1) זבובי מות for זבוּבים מתים (Ecc 9:4; Isa 37:36), "death-flies" for "dead flies," would be an affected poetic expression without analogy; while, on the contrary, "death-flies" for "deadly flies" is a genit. connection, such as מות כּלי instruments of death, i.e., deadly instruments and the like; Bttcher understands dung-flies; but the expression can scarcely extend to the designation of flies which are found on dead bodies. Meanwhile, it is very possible that by the expression זב ם, such flies are thought of as carry death from dead bodies to those that are living; the Assyr. syllabare show how closely the Semites disti…
Open source ↗In these verses Solomon shows, I. What great need wise men have to take heed of being guilty of any instance of folly; for a little folly is a great blemish to him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour, and is as hurtful to his good name as dead flies are to a sweet perfume, not only spoiling the sweetness of it, but making it to send forth a stinking savour. Note, 1. True wisdom is true honour, and will gain a man a reputation, which is like a box of precious ointment, pleasing and very valuable. 2. The reputation that is got with difficulty, and by a great deal of wisdom, may be easily lost, and by a little folly, because envy fastens upon eminency, and makes the worst of the mistakes and miscarriages of those who are cried up for wisdom, and improves them to their disadvantage; so that the folly which in another would not be taken notice of in them is severely censured. Those who make a great profession of religion have need to walk very circumspectly, to abstain from all appearances of evil, and approaches towards it, because many eyes are upon them, that watch for their halting; their character is soon sullied, and they have a great deal of reputation to lose. II. What a deal of advantage a wise man has above a fool in the management of business (Ecc 10:2): A wise man's heart is at his right hand, so that he goes about his business with dexterity, turns his hand readily to it, and goes through it with despatch; his counsel and courage are ready to him, whenever he has occasion for them. But a fool's heart is at his left hand; it is always to seek when he has any thing to do that is of importance, and therefore he goes awkwardly about it, like a man that is left-handed; he is soon at a loss and at his wits' end. III. How apt fools are at every turn to proclaim…
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
מָוֶת (mâveth, H4194) — death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades);… זְבוּב (zᵉbûwb, H2070) — a fly (especially one of a stinging nature) שֶׁמֶן (shemen, H8081) — grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness רָקַח (râqach, H7543) — to perfume נָבַע (nâbaʻ, H5042) — to gush forth; figuratively, to utter (good or bad words); specifically, to emit (a foul… בָּאַשׁ (bâʼash, H887) — to smell bad; figuratively, to be offensive morally מְעַט (mᵉʻaṭ, H4592) — a little or few (often adverbial or compar.) סִכְלוּת (çiklûwth, H5531) — silliness יָקָר (yâqâr, H3368) — valuable (objectively or subjectively) חׇכְמָה (chokmâh, H2451) — wisdom (in a good sense) כָּבוֹד (kâbôwd, H3519) — properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
Open source ↗חָכָם (châkâm, H2450) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful) לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… יָמִין (yâmîyn, H3225) — the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more… כְּסִיל (kᵉçîyl, H3684) — properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or silly שְׂמֹאול (sᵉmôʼwl, H8040) — properly, dark (as enveloped), i.e. the north; hence (by orientation), the left hand
Open source ↗סָכָל (çâkâl, H5530) — silly הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… חָסֵר (châçêr, H2638) — lacking; hence, without אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude)
Open source ↗רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,… מָשַׁל (mâshal, H4910) — to rule עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… יָנַח (yânach, H3240) — to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… מַרְפֵּא (marpêʼ, H4832) — properly, curative, i.e. literally (concretely) a medicine, or (abstractly) a cure;… גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent חֵטְא (chêṭᵉʼ, H2399) — a crime or its penalty
Open source ↗יֵשׁ (yêsh, H3426) — there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection) רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… שֶׁמֶשׁ (shemesh, H8121) — the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (architectural) a notched… שְׁגָגָה (shᵉgâgâh, H7684) — a mistake or inadvertent transgression יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… שַׁלִּיט (shallîyṭ, H7989) — potent; concretely, a prince or warrior
Open source ↗סֶכֶל (çekel, H5529) — silliness; concretely and collectively, dolts נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) מָרוֹם (mârôwm, H4791) — altitude, i.e. concretely (an elevated place), abstractly (elevation, figuratively… עָשִׁיר (ʻâshîyr, H6223) — rich, whether literal or figurative (noble) יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… שֶׁפֶל (shephel, H8216) — an humble rank
Open source ↗רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant סוּס (çûwç, H5483) — a horse (as leaping); also a swallow (from its rapid flight) שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Open source ↗חָפַר (châphar, H2658) — properly, to pry into; by implication, to delve, to explore גּוּמָּץ (gûwmmâts, H1475) — a pit נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… פָּרַץ (pârats, H6555) — to break out (in many applications, direct and indirect, literal and figurative) גָּדֵר (gâdêr, H1447) — a circumvallation; by implication, an inclosure נָחָשׁ (nâchâsh, H5175) — a snake (from its hiss) נָשַׁךְ (nâshak, H5391) — to strike with a sting (as a serpent); figuratively, to oppress with interest on a loan
Open source ↗נָסַע (nâçaʻ, H5265) — properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e. start on ajourney אֶבֶן (ʼeben, H68) — a stone עָצַב (ʻâtsab, H6087) — properly, to carve, i.e. fabricate or fashion; hence (in a bad sense) to worry, pain or… בָּקַע (bâqaʻ, H1234) — to cleave; generally, to rend, break, rip or open עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks) סָכַן (çâkan, H5533) — properly, to cut, i.e. damage; also to grow (causatively, make) poor
Open source ↗בַּרְזֶל (barzel, H1270) — iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement קָהָה (qâhâh, H6949) — to be dull קָלַל (qâlal, H7043) — to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… גָּבַר (gâbar, H1396) — to be strong; by implication, to prevail, act insolently חַיִל (chayil, H2428) — probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue,… חׇכְמָה (chokmâh, H2451) — wisdom (in a good sense) יִתְרוֹן (yithrôwn, H3504) — preeminence, gain כָּשֵׁר (kâshêr, H3787) — by implication, to be acceptable; also to succeed or prosper
Open source ↗נָחָשׁ (nâchâsh, H5175) — a snake (from its hiss) נָשַׁךְ (nâshak, H5391) — to strike with a sting (as a serpent); figuratively, to oppress with interest on a loan לַחַשׁ (lachash, H3908) — properly, a whisper, i.e. by implication, (in a good sense) a private prayer, (in a bad… לָשׁוֹן (lâshôwn, H3956) — the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or… בַּעַל (baʻal, H1167) — a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in… יִתְרוֹן (yithrôwn, H3504) — preeminence, gain
Open source ↗דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause חָכָם (châkâm, H2450) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful) פֶּה (peh, H6310) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech);… חֵן (chên, H2580) — graciousness, i.e. subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty) שָׂפָה (sâphâh, H8193) — the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a… כְּסִיל (kᵉçîyl, H3684) — properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or silly בָּלַע (bâlaʻ, H1104) — to make away with (specifically by swallowing); generally, to destroy
Open source ↗תְּחִלָּה (tᵉchillâh, H8462) — a commencement; rel. original (adverb, -ly) דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause פֶּה (peh, H6310) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech);… סִכְלוּת (çiklûwth, H5531) — silliness אַחֲרִית (ʼachărîyth, H319) — the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) הוֹלֵלוּת (hôwlêlûwth, H1948) — folly
Open source ↗סָכָל (çâkâl, H5530) — silly רָבָה (râbâh, H7235) — to increase (in whatever respect) דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to…
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Prepare from these a sacred anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer; it will be a sacred anointing oil.
Did not King Solomon of Israel sin in matters like this? There was not a king like him among many nations, and he was loved by his God, who made him king over all Israel—yet foreign women drew him into sin.
Jehu son of Hanani the seer went out to confront him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, the wrath of the LORD is upon you.
He had been hired to intimidate me so that I would sin by doing as he suggested, so they could give me a bad name in order to discredit me.