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Apologetics Bible

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Apologetics exposition helps trace how passages function in canonical argument, what doctrinal claims they touch, and how themes connect across the 66 books.

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Published chapter Reader summary first Ecclesiastes live Chapter 10 of 12 20 verse waypoints 20 commentary witnesses

Holy Scripture opened

Ecclesiastes 10 — Ecclesiastes 10

Connected primary witness
  • Connected ID: Ecclesiastes_10
  • Primary Witness Text: 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. A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left. 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. If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences. There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler: Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place. I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth. He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him. Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby. 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. Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better. The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness. A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him? The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the cit...

Connected dataset overlay
  • Connected ID: Ecclesiastes_10
  • Chapter Blob Preview: 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. A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left. 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. If the spirit of the ruler rise ...

Chapter frameStart here before opening notes.

Chapter frame

Ecclesiastes (Qohelet — "Assembler/Preacher") is Solomon's philosophical autopsy of life lived under the sun — without transcendent reference. The repeated verdict hebel ("vapor/vanity") is not nihilism but diagnostic: every finite meaning-system eventually collapses under the weight of death.

The book's apologetics use is considerable: Ecclesiastes performs the reductio ad absurdum of secular humanism. Pleasure (2:1-3), wisdom (2:12-16), work (2:17-23), and accumulation (5:10-17) are each tried and found bankrupt. The resolution: "Fear God and keep His commandments" (12:13) — transcendent meaning alone survives.


Verse-by-verse study laneOpen only when you are ready for notes and witnesses.

Verse-by-verse study lane

Ecclesiastes 10:1

Hebrew
זְבוּבֵי מָוֶת יַבְאִישׁ יַבִּיעַ שֶׁמֶן רוֹקֵחַ יָקָר מֵחָכְמָה מִכָּבוֹד סִכְלוּת מְעָֽט׃

zevvvey-mavet-yave'iysh-yaviy'a-shemen-rvoqecha-yaqar-mechakhemah-mikhavvod-sikhelvt-me'at

KJV: 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.

AKJV: Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking smell: so does a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honor.

ASV: Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to send forth an evil odor; so doth a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor.

YLT: 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!

Commentary WitnessEcclesiastes 10:1
Quoted commentary witness

Commentary Witness

Ecclesiastes 10:1

Quoted commentary witness

Observations on wisdom and folly, Ecc 10:1-3. Concerning right conduct towards rulers, Ecc 10:4. Merit depressed, and worthlessness exalted, Ecc 10:5-7. Of him who digs a pit and removes a landmark, Ecc 10:8, Ecc 10:9. The use of wisdom and experience, Ecc 10:10. Of the babbler and the fool, Ecc 10:11-15. The infant king, Ecc 10:16. The well-regulated court, Ecc 10:17. Of slothfulness, Ecc 10:18. Of feasting, Ecc 10:19. Speak not evil of the king, Ecc 10:20. Verse 1 Dead flies - Any putrefaction spoils perfume; and so a foolish act ruins the character of him who has the reputation of being wise and good. Alas! alas! in an unguarded moment how many have tarnished the reputation which they were many years in acquiring! Hence, no man can be said to be safe, till he is taken to the paradise of God.

Provenance. Rendered as a quoted commentary witness with explicit reference extraction from the source prose.

Canonical locus

Ecclesiastes 10:1

Source lane

Apologetics Bible source bundle

Named authorities or texts detected in the witness

  • Hence

Exposition: Ecclesiastes 10:1 emphasizes a key movement in the chapter's argument. In KJV form, the text reads: '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.'. Read in canonical context, the verse supports the coherence of biblical revelation by linking doctrine, narrative, and covenantal meaning.

Apologetics Notes
  • Scientific Correlation: This verse is suitable for cumulative-case reasoning in apologetics: historical context, textual stability, and worldview coherence are evaluated together rather than in isolation.
  • Hebrew Grammar: A close Hebrew reading should attend lexical range, clause flow, and discourse function in context; these controls reduce over-reading and preserve authorial intent.
  • Historical Evidence: Historically, this verse is interpreted within the received canonical tradition, where manuscript continuity and early community usage support stable transmission and meaning.

Ecclesiastes 10:2

Hebrew
לֵב חָכָם לִֽימִינוֹ וְלֵב כְּסִיל לִשְׂמֹאלֽוֹ׃

lev-chakham-liymiynvo-velev-khesiyl-lishemo'lvo

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

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

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

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

Commentary WitnessEcclesiastes 10:2
Quoted commentary witness

Commentary Witness

Ecclesiastes 10:2

Quoted commentary witness

Verse 2 A wise man's heart is at his right hand - As the right hand is ordinarily the best exercised, strongest, and most ready, and the left the contrary, they show, 1. The command which the wise man has over his own mind, feelings, passions, etc., and the prudence with which he acts. And, 2. The want of prudence and management in the fool, who has no restraint on his passions, and no rule or guard upon his tongue. The right hand and the left are used in Scripture to express good and evil. The wise man is always employed in doing good; the fool, in nonsense or evil.

Provenance. Rendered as a quoted commentary witness with explicit reference extraction from the source prose.

Canonical locus

Ecclesiastes 10:2

Source lane

Apologetics Bible source bundle

Named authorities or texts detected in the witness

  • And

Exposition: Ecclesiastes 10:2 emphasizes a key movement in the chapter's argument. In KJV form, the text reads: 'A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left.'. Read in canonical context, the verse supports the coherence of biblical revelation by linking doctrine, narrative, and covenantal meaning.

Apologetics Notes
  • Scientific Correlation: This verse is suitable for cumulative-case reasoning in apologetics: historical context, textual stability, and worldview coherence are evaluated together rather than in isolation.
  • Hebrew Grammar: A close Hebrew reading should attend lexical range, clause flow, and discourse function in context; these controls reduce over-reading and preserve authorial intent.
  • Historical Evidence: Historically, this verse is interpreted within the received canonical tradition, where manuscript continuity and early community usage support stable transmission and meaning.

Ecclesiastes 10:3

Hebrew
וְגַם־בַּדֶּרֶךְ כשהסכל כְּשֶׁסָּכָל הֹלֵךְ לִבּוֹ חָסֵר וְאָמַר לַכֹּל סָכָל הֽוּא׃

vegam-vaderekhe-khshhskhl-kheshesakhal-holekhe-livvo-chaser-ve'amar-lakhol-sakhal-hv'

KJV: 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.

AKJV: Yes also, when he that is a fool walks by the way, his wisdom fails him, and he says to every one that he is a fool.

ASV: Yea also, when the fool walketh by the way, his understanding faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.

YLT: 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.'

Commentary WitnessEcclesiastes 10:3
Quoted commentary witness

Commentary Witness

Ecclesiastes 10:3

Quoted commentary witness

Verse 3 When - a fool walketh by the way - In every act of life, and in every company he frequents, the irreligious man shows what he is. Vanity, nonsense, and wickedness are his themes: so that in effect he saith to every one that he is a fool.

Provenance. Rendered as a quoted commentary witness with explicit reference extraction from the source prose.

Canonical locus

Ecclesiastes 10:3

Source lane

Apologetics Bible source bundle

Named authorities or texts detected in the witness

  • Vanity

Exposition: Ecclesiastes 10:3 emphasizes a key movement in the chapter's argument. In KJV form, the text reads: '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.'. Read in canonical context, the verse supports the coherence of biblical revelation by linking doctrine, narrative, and covenantal meaning.

Apologetics Notes
  • Scientific Correlation: This verse is suitable for cumulative-case reasoning in apologetics: historical context, textual stability, and worldview coherence are evaluated together rather than in isolation.
  • Hebrew Grammar: A close Hebrew reading should attend lexical range, clause flow, and discourse function in context; these controls reduce over-reading and preserve authorial intent.
  • Historical Evidence: Historically, this verse is interpreted within the received canonical tradition, where manuscript continuity and early community usage support stable transmission and meaning.

Ecclesiastes 10:4

Hebrew
אִם־רוּחַ הַמּוֹשֵׁל תַּעֲלֶה עָלֶיךָ מְקוֹמְךָ אַל־תַּנַּח כִּי מַרְפֵּא יַנִּיחַ חֲטָאִים גְּדוֹלִֽים׃

'im-rvcha-hamvoshel-ta'aleh-'aleykha-meqvomekha-'al-tanach-khiy-marefe'-yaniycha-chata'iym-gedvoliym

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

AKJV: If the spirit of the ruler rise up against you, leave not your place; for yielding pacifies great offenses.

ASV: If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for gentleness allayeth great offences.

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

Commentary WitnessEcclesiastes 10:4
Quoted commentary witness

Commentary Witness

Ecclesiastes 10:4

Quoted commentary witness

Verse 4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee - If the king get incensed against thee. Leave not thy place - Humble thyself before him, that is thy place and duty; for yielding to him, and not standing stoutly in thy defense, pacifieth great offenses: and then, when his anger is appeased, he will hear any thing in thy justification, if thou have any thing to offer. This is good advice to a child in reference to his parents, and to an inferior of any kind in reference to his superiors. Several of the fathers understood this differently, It the spirit of the ruler - the influence of Satan - hath risen up against and prevailed over thee, to bring thee into some sin; leave not thy place - do not despair of God's mercy; humble thyself before him, and seek pardon through the Son of his love, and this will be מרפא marpe, a remedy or cure even for חטאים גדולים chataim gedolim, great errors or sins. All this is true in itself, whether found in this text or not.

Provenance. Rendered as a quoted commentary witness with explicit reference extraction from the source prose.

Canonical locus

Ecclesiastes 10:4

Source lane

Apologetics Bible source bundle

Exposition: Ecclesiastes 10:4 emphasizes a key movement in the chapter's argument. In KJV form, the text reads: 'If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.'. Read in canonical context, the verse supports the coherence of biblical revelation by linking doctrine, narrative, and covenantal meaning.

Apologetics Notes
  • Scientific Correlation: This verse is suitable for cumulative-case reasoning in apologetics: historical context, textual stability, and worldview coherence are evaluated together rather than in isolation.
  • Hebrew Grammar: A close Hebrew reading should attend lexical range, clause flow, and discourse function in context; these controls reduce over-reading and preserve authorial intent.
  • Historical Evidence: Historically, this verse is interpreted within the received canonical tradition, where manuscript continuity and early community usage support stable transmission and meaning.

Ecclesiastes 10:5

Hebrew
יֵשׁ רָעָה רָאִיתִי תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ כִּשְׁגָגָה שֶׁיֹּצָא מִלִּפְנֵי הַשַּׁלִּֽיט׃

yesh-ra'ah-ra'iytiy-tachat-hashamesh-khishegagah-sheyotza'-milifeney-hashaliyt

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

AKJV: There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceeds from the ruler:

ASV: There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as it were an error which proceedeth from the ruler:

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

Commentary WitnessEcclesiastes 10:5
Quoted commentary witness

Commentary Witness

Ecclesiastes 10:5

Quoted commentary witness

Verse 5 An error which proceedeth from the ruler - What this error in the ruler is, the two following verses point out: it is simpiy this - an injudicious distribution of offices, and raising people to places of trust and confidence, who are destitute of merit, are neither of name nor family to excite public confidence, and are without property; so that they have no stake in the country, and their only solicitude must naturally be to enrich themselves, and provide for their poor relatives. This is frequent in the governments of the world; and favouritism has often brought prosperous nations to the brink of ruin. Folly was set in dignity; the man of property, sense, and name, in a low place. Servants - menial men, rode upon horses - carried every thing with a high and proud hand; and princes, - the nobles of the people, were obliged to walk by their sides, and often from the state of things to become in effect their servants. This was often the case in this country, during the reign of Thomas a Becket, and Cardinal Woolsey. These insolent men lorded it over the whole nation; and the people and their gentry were raised or depressed according as their pride and caprice willed. And, through this kind of errors, not only a few sovereigns have had most uncomfortable and troublesome reigns, but some have even lost their lives.

Provenance. Rendered as a quoted commentary witness with explicit reference extraction from the source prose.

Canonical locus

Ecclesiastes 10:5

Source lane

Apologetics Bible source bundle

Named authorities or texts detected in the witness

  • Ovid
  • Becket
  • Cardinal Woolsey
  • And

Exposition: Ecclesiastes 10:5 emphasizes a key movement in the chapter's argument. In KJV form, the text reads: 'There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:'. Read in canonical context, the verse supports the coherence of biblical revelation by linking doctrine, narrative, and covenantal meaning.

Apologetics Notes
  • Scientific Correlation: This verse is suitable for cumulative-case reasoning in apologetics: historical context, textual stability, and worldview coherence are evaluated together rather than in isolation.
  • Hebrew Grammar: A close Hebrew reading should attend lexical range, clause flow, and discourse function in context; these controls reduce over-reading and preserve authorial intent.
  • Historical Evidence: Historically, this verse is interpreted within the received canonical tradition, where manuscript continuity and early community usage support stable transmission and meaning.

Ecclesiastes 10:6

Hebrew
נִתַּן הַסֶּכֶל בַּמְּרוֹמִים רַבִּים וַעֲשִׁירִים בַּשֵּׁפֶל יֵשֵֽׁבוּ׃

nitan-hasekhel-vamervomiym-raviym-va'ashiyriym-vashefel-yeshevv

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

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

ASV: folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place.

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

Commentary Witness (Generated)Ecclesiastes 10:6
Generated editorial synthesis

Commentary Witness (Generated)

Ecclesiastes 10:6

Generated editorial synthesis

Ecclesiastes 10:6 advances the immediate literary flow of the chapter and should be interpreted in its canonical context, not as an isolated proof text. In the present translation it reads: 'Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.'. A close Hebrew reading supports attention to key lexical choices, clause movement, and redemptive-historical placement so doctrinal conclusions remain textually grounded.

Provenance. Rendered as an editorial synthesis tied to the canonical verse context and current chapter source.

Canonical locus

Ecclesiastes 10:6

Source lane

Apologetics Bible source bundle

Biblical cross-references named in the witness

  • Ecclesiastes 10:6

Exposition: Ecclesiastes 10:6 emphasizes a key movement in the chapter's argument. In KJV form, the text reads: 'Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.'. Read in canonical context, the verse supports the coherence of biblical revelation by linking doctrine, narrative, and covenantal meaning.

Apologetics Notes
  • Scientific Correlation: This verse is suitable for cumulative-case reasoning in apologetics: historical context, textual stability, and worldview coherence are evaluated together rather than in isolation.
  • Hebrew Grammar: A close Hebrew reading should attend lexical range, clause flow, and discourse function in context; these controls reduce over-reading and preserve authorial intent.
  • Historical Evidence: Historically, this verse is interpreted within the received canonical tradition, where manuscript continuity and early community usage support stable transmission and meaning.

Ecclesiastes 10:7

Hebrew
רָאִיתִי עֲבָדִים עַל־סוּסִים וְשָׂרִים הֹלְכִים כַּעֲבָדִים עַל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃

ra'iytiy-'avadiym-'al-svsiym-veshariym-holekhiym-kha'avadiym-'al-ha'aretz

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

AKJV: I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking as servants on the earth.

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

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

Commentary Witness (Generated)Ecclesiastes 10:7
Generated editorial synthesis

Commentary Witness (Generated)

Ecclesiastes 10:7

Generated editorial synthesis

Ecclesiastes 10:7 advances the immediate literary flow of the chapter and should be interpreted in its canonical context, not as an isolated proof text. In the present translation it reads: 'I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.'. A close Hebrew reading supports attention to key lexical choices, clause movement, and redemptive-historical placement so doctrinal conclusions remain textually grounded.

Provenance. Rendered as an editorial synthesis tied to the canonical verse context and current chapter source.

Canonical locus

Ecclesiastes 10:7

Source lane

Apologetics Bible source bundle

Biblical cross-references named in the witness

  • Ecclesiastes 10:7

Exposition: Ecclesiastes 10:7 emphasizes a key movement in the chapter's argument. In KJV form, the text reads: 'I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.'. Read in canonical context, the verse supports the coherence of biblical revelation by linking doctrine, narrative, and covenantal meaning.

Apologetics Notes
  • Scientific Correlation: This verse is suitable for cumulative-case reasoning in apologetics: historical context, textual stability, and worldview coherence are evaluated together rather than in isolation.
  • Hebrew Grammar: A close Hebrew reading should attend lexical range, clause flow, and discourse function in context; these controls reduce over-reading and preserve authorial intent.
  • Historical Evidence: Historically, this verse is interpreted within the received canonical tradition, where manuscript continuity and early community usage support stable transmission and meaning.

Ecclesiastes 10:8

Hebrew
חֹפֵר גּוּמָּץ בּוֹ יִפּוֹל וּפֹרֵץ גָּדֵר יִשְּׁכֶנּוּ נָחָֽשׁ׃

chofer-gvmatz-vvo-yifvol-vforetz-gader-yishekhenv-nachash

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

AKJV: He that digs a pit shall fall into it; and whoever breaks an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.

ASV: He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh through a wall, a serpent shall bite him.

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

Commentary WitnessEcclesiastes 10:8
Quoted commentary witness

Commentary Witness

Ecclesiastes 10:8

Quoted commentary witness

Verse 8 Whoso breaketh a hedge, a serpent shall bite him - While spoiling his neighbor's property, he himself may come to greater mischief: while pulling out the sticks, he may be bit by a serpent, who has his nest there. Some have supposed that נחש nachash here means a thorn; perhaps from the similarity of its prick to the serpent's sting. He who forces his way through a hedge will be pricked by the thorns.

Provenance. Rendered as a quoted commentary witness with explicit reference extraction from the source prose.

Canonical locus

Ecclesiastes 10:8

Source lane

Apologetics Bible source bundle

Exposition: Ecclesiastes 10:8 emphasizes a key movement in the chapter's argument. In KJV form, the text reads: 'He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.'. Read in canonical context, the verse supports the coherence of biblical revelation by linking doctrine, narrative, and covenantal meaning.

Apologetics Notes
  • Scientific Correlation: This verse is suitable for cumulative-case reasoning in apologetics: historical context, textual stability, and worldview coherence are evaluated together rather than in isolation.
  • Hebrew Grammar: A close Hebrew reading should attend lexical range, clause flow, and discourse function in context; these controls reduce over-reading and preserve authorial intent.
  • Historical Evidence: Historically, this verse is interpreted within the received canonical tradition, where manuscript continuity and early community usage support stable transmission and meaning.

Ecclesiastes 10:9

Hebrew
מַסִּיעַ אֲבָנִים יֵעָצֵב בָּהֶם בּוֹקֵעַ עֵצִים יִסָּכֶן בָּֽם׃

masiy'a-'avaniym-ye'atzev-vahem-vvoqe'a-'etziym-yisakhen-vam

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

AKJV: Whoever removes stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that splits wood shall be endangered thereby.

ASV: Whoso heweth out stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood is endangered thereby.

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

Commentary WitnessEcclesiastes 10:9
Quoted commentary witness

Commentary Witness

Ecclesiastes 10:9

Quoted commentary witness

Verse 9 Whoso removeth stones - This verse teaches care and caution. Whoever pulls down an old building is likely to be hurt by the stones; and in cleaving wood many accidents occur for want of sufficient caution.

Provenance. Rendered as a quoted commentary witness with explicit reference extraction from the source prose.

Canonical locus

Ecclesiastes 10:9

Source lane

Apologetics Bible source bundle

Exposition: Ecclesiastes 10:9 emphasizes a key movement in the chapter's argument. In KJV form, the text reads: 'Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.'. Read in canonical context, the verse supports the coherence of biblical revelation by linking doctrine, narrative, and covenantal meaning.

Apologetics Notes
  • Scientific Correlation: This verse is suitable for cumulative-case reasoning in apologetics: historical context, textual stability, and worldview coherence are evaluated together rather than in isolation.
  • Hebrew Grammar: A close Hebrew reading should attend lexical range, clause flow, and discourse function in context; these controls reduce over-reading and preserve authorial intent.
  • Historical Evidence: Historically, this verse is interpreted within the received canonical tradition, where manuscript continuity and early community usage support stable transmission and meaning.

Ecclesiastes 10:10

Hebrew
אִם־קֵהָה הַבַּרְזֶל וְהוּא לֹא־פָנִים קִלְקַל וַחֲיָלִים יְגַבֵּר וְיִתְרוֹן הכשיר הַכְשֵׁר חָכְמָֽה׃

'im-qehah-havarezel-vehv'-lo'-faniym-qileqal-vachayaliym-yegaver-veyitervon-hkhshyr-hakhesher-chakhemah

KJV: 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.

AKJV: 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.

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

YLT: 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.

Commentary WitnessEcclesiastes 10:10
Quoted commentary witness

Commentary Witness

Ecclesiastes 10:10

Quoted commentary witness

Verse 10 If the iron be blunt - If the axe have lost its edge, and the owner do not sharpen it, he must apply the more strength to make it cut: but the wisdom that is profitable to direct will teach him, that he should whet his axe, and spare his strength. Thus, without wisdom and understanding we cannot go profitably through the meanest concerns in life.

Provenance. Rendered as a quoted commentary witness with explicit reference extraction from the source prose.

Canonical locus

Ecclesiastes 10:10

Source lane

Apologetics Bible source bundle

Named authorities or texts detected in the witness

  • Thus

Exposition: Ecclesiastes 10:10 emphasizes a key movement in the chapter's argument. In KJV form, the text reads: '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.'. Read in canonical context, the verse supports the coherence of biblical revelation by linking doctrine, narrative, and covenantal meaning.

Apologetics Notes
  • Scientific Correlation: This verse is suitable for cumulative-case reasoning in apologetics: historical context, textual stability, and worldview coherence are evaluated together rather than in isolation.
  • Hebrew Grammar: A close Hebrew reading should attend lexical range, clause flow, and discourse function in context; these controls reduce over-reading and preserve authorial intent.
  • Historical Evidence: Historically, this verse is interpreted within the received canonical tradition, where manuscript continuity and early community usage support stable transmission and meaning.

Ecclesiastes 10:11

Hebrew
אִם־יִשֹּׁךְ הַנָּחָשׁ בְּלוֹא־לָחַשׁ וְאֵין יִתְרוֹן לְבַעַל הַלָּשֽׁוֹן׃

'im-yishokhe-hanachash-velvo'-lachash-ve'eyn-yitervon-leva'al-halashvon

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

AKJV: Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.

ASV: If the serpent bite before it is charmed, then is there no advantage in the charmer.

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

Commentary WitnessEcclesiastes 10:11
Quoted commentary witness

Commentary Witness

Ecclesiastes 10:11

Quoted commentary witness

Verse 11 The serpent will bite without enchantment - בלא לחש belo lachash, without hissing. As a snake may bite before it hiss, so also will the babbler, talkative person, or calumniator. Without directly speaking evil, he insinuates, by innuendoes, things injurious to the reputation of his neighbor. Gif the eddir bite in silence, noyhing lasse than he hath that privily backbiteth - Old MS. Bible. "A babbler of his tongue is no better than a serpent that styngeth without hyssynge." - Coverdale. The moral of this saying is simply this: A calumniator is as dangerous as a poisonous serpent; and from the envenomed tongue of slander and detraction no man is safe. The comparing the serpent, נחש nachash, to a babbler, has something singular in it. I have already supposed that the creature mentioned, Gen 3:1, was of the genus simia. This has been ridiculed, but not disproved.

Provenance. Rendered as a quoted commentary witness with explicit reference extraction from the source prose.

Canonical locus

Ecclesiastes 10:11

Source lane

Apologetics Bible source bundle

Biblical cross-references named in the witness

  • Gen 3:1

Named authorities or texts detected in the witness

  • Bible
  • Coverdale

Exposition: Ecclesiastes 10:11 emphasizes a key movement in the chapter's argument. In KJV form, the text reads: 'Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.'. Read in canonical context, the verse supports the coherence of biblical revelation by linking doctrine, narrative, and covenantal meaning.

Apologetics Notes
  • Scientific Correlation: This verse is suitable for cumulative-case reasoning in apologetics: historical context, textual stability, and worldview coherence are evaluated together rather than in isolation.
  • Hebrew Grammar: A close Hebrew reading should attend lexical range, clause flow, and discourse function in context; these controls reduce over-reading and preserve authorial intent.
  • Historical Evidence: Historically, this verse is interpreted within the received canonical tradition, where manuscript continuity and early community usage support stable transmission and meaning.

Ecclesiastes 10:12

Hebrew
דִּבְרֵי פִי־חָכָם חֵן וְשִׂפְתוֹת כְּסִיל תְּבַלְּעֶֽנּוּ׃

diverey-fiy-chakham-chen-veshifetvot-khesiyl-tevale'env

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

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

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

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

Commentary WitnessEcclesiastes 10:12
Quoted commentary witness

Commentary Witness

Ecclesiastes 10:12

Quoted commentary witness

Verse 12 The words of a wise man's mouth - Every thing that proceeds from him is decent and orderly, creditable to himself, and acceptable to those who hear him. But the lips of the fool, which speak every thing at random, and have no understanding to guide them, are not only not pleasant to others, but often destructive to himself.

Provenance. Rendered as a quoted commentary witness with explicit reference extraction from the source prose.

Canonical locus

Ecclesiastes 10:12

Source lane

Apologetics Bible source bundle

Exposition: Ecclesiastes 10:12 emphasizes a key movement in the chapter's argument. In KJV form, the text reads: 'The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.'. Read in canonical context, the verse supports the coherence of biblical revelation by linking doctrine, narrative, and covenantal meaning.

Apologetics Notes
  • Scientific Correlation: This verse is suitable for cumulative-case reasoning in apologetics: historical context, textual stability, and worldview coherence are evaluated together rather than in isolation.
  • Hebrew Grammar: A close Hebrew reading should attend lexical range, clause flow, and discourse function in context; these controls reduce over-reading and preserve authorial intent.
  • Historical Evidence: Historically, this verse is interpreted within the received canonical tradition, where manuscript continuity and early community usage support stable transmission and meaning.

Ecclesiastes 10:13

Hebrew
תְּחִלַּת דִּבְרֵי־פִיהוּ סִכְלוּת וְאַחֲרִית פִּיהוּ הוֹלֵלוּת רָעָֽה׃

techilat-diverey-fiyhv-sikhelvt-ve'achariyt-fiyhv-hvolelvt-ra'ah

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

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

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

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

Commentary Witness (Generated)Ecclesiastes 10:13
Generated editorial synthesis

Commentary Witness (Generated)

Ecclesiastes 10:13

Generated editorial synthesis

Ecclesiastes 10:13 advances the immediate literary flow of the chapter and should be interpreted in its canonical context, not as an isolated proof text. In the present translation it reads: 'The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.'. A close Hebrew reading supports attention to key lexical choices, clause movement, and redemptive-historical placement so doctrinal conclusions remain textually grounded.

Provenance. Rendered as an editorial synthesis tied to the canonical verse context and current chapter source.

Canonical locus

Ecclesiastes 10:13

Source lane

Apologetics Bible source bundle

Biblical cross-references named in the witness

  • Ecclesiastes 10:13

Exposition: Ecclesiastes 10:13 emphasizes a key movement in the chapter's argument. In KJV form, the text reads: 'The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.'. Read in canonical context, the verse supports the coherence of biblical revelation by linking doctrine, narrative, and covenantal meaning.

Apologetics Notes
  • Scientific Correlation: This verse is suitable for cumulative-case reasoning in apologetics: historical context, textual stability, and worldview coherence are evaluated together rather than in isolation.
  • Hebrew Grammar: A close Hebrew reading should attend lexical range, clause flow, and discourse function in context; these controls reduce over-reading and preserve authorial intent.
  • Historical Evidence: Historically, this verse is interpreted within the received canonical tradition, where manuscript continuity and early community usage support stable transmission and meaning.

Ecclesiastes 10:14

Hebrew
וְהַסָּכָל יַרְבֶּה דְבָרִים לֹא־יֵדַע הָאָדָם מַה־שֶׁיִּֽהְיֶה וַאֲשֶׁר יִֽהְיֶה מֵֽאַחֲרָיו מִי יַגִּיד לֽוֹ׃

vehasakhal-yareveh-devariym-lo'-yeda'-ha'adam-mah-sheyiheyeh-va'asher-yiheyeh-me'acharayv-miy-yagiyd-lvo

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

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

ASV: A fool also multiplieth words: yet man knoweth not what shall be; and that which shall be after him, who can tell him?

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

Commentary WitnessEcclesiastes 10:14
Quoted commentary witness

Commentary Witness

Ecclesiastes 10:14

Quoted commentary witness

Verse 14 A man cannot tell what shall be - A foolish babbling man will talk on every subject, though he can say as little on the past, as he can on the future.

Provenance. Rendered as a quoted commentary witness with explicit reference extraction from the source prose.

Canonical locus

Ecclesiastes 10:14

Source lane

Apologetics Bible source bundle

Exposition: Ecclesiastes 10:14 emphasizes a key movement in the chapter's argument. In KJV form, the text reads: 'A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?'. Read in canonical context, the verse supports the coherence of biblical revelation by linking doctrine, narrative, and covenantal meaning.

Apologetics Notes
  • Scientific Correlation: This verse is suitable for cumulative-case reasoning in apologetics: historical context, textual stability, and worldview coherence are evaluated together rather than in isolation.
  • Hebrew Grammar: A close Hebrew reading should attend lexical range, clause flow, and discourse function in context; these controls reduce over-reading and preserve authorial intent.
  • Historical Evidence: Historically, this verse is interpreted within the received canonical tradition, where manuscript continuity and early community usage support stable transmission and meaning.

Ecclesiastes 10:15

Hebrew
עֲמַל הַכְּסִילִים תְּיַגְּעֶנּוּ אֲשֶׁר לֹֽא־יָדַע לָלֶכֶת אֶל־עִֽיר׃

'amal-hakhesiyliym-teyage'env-'asher-lo'-yada'-lalekhet-'el-'iyr

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

AKJV: The labor of the foolish wearies every one of them, because he knows not how to go to the city. ¶

ASV: The labor of fools wearieth every one of them; for he knoweth not how to go to the city.

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

Commentary WitnessEcclesiastes 10:15
Quoted commentary witness

Commentary Witness

Ecclesiastes 10:15

Quoted commentary witness

Verse 15 He knoweth not how to go to the city - I suppose this to be a proverb: "He knows nothing; he does not know his way to the next village." He may labor; but for want of judgment he wearies himself to no purpose.

Provenance. Rendered as a quoted commentary witness with explicit reference extraction from the source prose.

Canonical locus

Ecclesiastes 10:15

Source lane

Apologetics Bible source bundle

Exposition: Ecclesiastes 10:15 emphasizes a key movement in the chapter's argument. In KJV form, the text reads: 'The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.'. Read in canonical context, the verse supports the coherence of biblical revelation by linking doctrine, narrative, and covenantal meaning.

Apologetics Notes
  • Scientific Correlation: This verse is suitable for cumulative-case reasoning in apologetics: historical context, textual stability, and worldview coherence are evaluated together rather than in isolation.
  • Hebrew Grammar: A close Hebrew reading should attend lexical range, clause flow, and discourse function in context; these controls reduce over-reading and preserve authorial intent.
  • Historical Evidence: Historically, this verse is interpreted within the received canonical tradition, where manuscript continuity and early community usage support stable transmission and meaning.

Ecclesiastes 10:16

Hebrew
אִֽי־לָךְ אֶרֶץ שֶׁמַּלְכֵּךְ נָעַר וְשָׂרַיִךְ בַּבֹּקֶר יֹאכֵֽלוּ׃

'iy-lakhe-'eretz-shemalekhekhe-na'ar-vesharayikhe-vavoqer-yo'khelv

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

AKJV: Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning!

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

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

Commentary WitnessEcclesiastes 10:16
Quoted commentary witness

Commentary Witness

Ecclesiastes 10:16

Quoted commentary witness

Verse 16 Wo to thee, O land, when thy king is a child - Minorities are, in general, very prejudicial to a state. Regents either disagree, and foment civil wars; or oppress the people. Various discordant interests are raised up in a state during a minority; and the young king, having been under the tutelage of interested men, acts partially and injuriously to the interests of the people when he comes to the throne; and this produces popular discontent, and a troubled reign. Thy princes eat in the morning! - They do nothing in order; turn night into day, and day into night; sleep when they should wake, and wake when they should sleep; attending more to chamberings and banquetings, than to the concerns of the state.

Provenance. Rendered as a quoted commentary witness with explicit reference extraction from the source prose.

Canonical locus

Ecclesiastes 10:16

Source lane

Apologetics Bible source bundle

Exposition: Ecclesiastes 10:16 emphasizes a key movement in the chapter's argument. In KJV form, the text reads: 'Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!'. Read in canonical context, the verse supports the coherence of biblical revelation by linking doctrine, narrative, and covenantal meaning.

Apologetics Notes
  • Scientific Correlation: This verse is suitable for cumulative-case reasoning in apologetics: historical context, textual stability, and worldview coherence are evaluated together rather than in isolation.
  • Hebrew Grammar: A close Hebrew reading should attend lexical range, clause flow, and discourse function in context; these controls reduce over-reading and preserve authorial intent.
  • Historical Evidence: Historically, this verse is interpreted within the received canonical tradition, where manuscript continuity and early community usage support stable transmission and meaning.

Ecclesiastes 10:17

Hebrew
אַשְׁרֵיךְ אֶרֶץ שֶׁמַּלְכֵּךְ בֶּן־חוֹרִים וְשָׂרַיִךְ בָּעֵת יֹאכֵלוּ בִּגְבוּרָה וְלֹא בַשְּׁתִֽי׃

'ashereykhe-'eretz-shemalekhekhe-ven-chvoriym-vesharayikhe-va'et-yo'khelv-vigevvrah-velo'-vashetiy

KJV: 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!

AKJV: Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness! ¶

ASV: Happy 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!

YLT: 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.

Commentary WitnessEcclesiastes 10:17
Quoted commentary witness

Commentary Witness

Ecclesiastes 10:17

Quoted commentary witness

Verse 17 When thy king is the son of nobles - uiov eleuyerwn, the son of freemen; persons well acquainted with the principles of civil liberty, and who rule according to them - Septuagint. Such a one as comes to the throne in a legitimate way, from an ancient regal family, whose right to the throne is incontestable. It requires such a long time to establish a regal right, that the state is in continual danger from pretenders and usurpers, where the king is not the son of nobles. And thy princes eat in due season - All persons in places of trust for the public weal, from the king to the lowest public functionary, should know, that the public are exceedingly scandalized at repeated accounts of entertainments, where irregularity prevails, much money is expended, and no good done. These things are drawn into precedent, and quoted to countenance debauch in the inferior classes. The natural division of the day for necessary repasts is, Breakfast, eight, or half after; Dinner, one, or half after; Supper, eight, or half after. And these, or even earliers hours were formerly observed in these countries. Then we had scarcely any such thing as gout, and no nervous disorders. In ancient nations the custom was to eat but once, and then about mid-day.

Provenance. Rendered as a quoted commentary witness with explicit reference extraction from the source prose.

Canonical locus

Ecclesiastes 10:17

Source lane

Apologetics Bible source bundle

Named authorities or texts detected in the witness

  • Septuagint
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
  • Supper

Exposition: Ecclesiastes 10:17 emphasizes a key movement in the chapter's argument. In KJV form, the text reads: '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!'. Read in canonical context, the verse supports the coherence of biblical revelation by linking doctrine, narrative, and covenantal meaning.

Apologetics Notes
  • Scientific Correlation: This verse is suitable for cumulative-case reasoning in apologetics: historical context, textual stability, and worldview coherence are evaluated together rather than in isolation.
  • Hebrew Grammar: A close Hebrew reading should attend lexical range, clause flow, and discourse function in context; these controls reduce over-reading and preserve authorial intent.
  • Historical Evidence: Historically, this verse is interpreted within the received canonical tradition, where manuscript continuity and early community usage support stable transmission and meaning.

Ecclesiastes 10:18

Hebrew
בַּעֲצַלְתַּיִם יִמַּךְ הַמְּקָרֶה וּבְשִׁפְלוּת יָדַיִם יִדְלֹף הַבָּֽיִת׃

va'atzaletayim-yimakhe-hameqareh-vveshifelvt-yadayim-yidelof-havayit

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

AKJV: By much slothfulness the building decays; and through idleness of the hands the house drops through. ¶

ASV: By slothfulness the roof sinketh in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaketh.

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

Commentary WitnessEcclesiastes 10:18
Quoted commentary witness

Commentary Witness

Ecclesiastes 10:18

Quoted commentary witness

Verse 18 By much slothfulness - This is remarkably the case in some countries. Houses are not repaired till they almost fall about the ears of the inhabitants. We have an adage that applies to all such cases: "A stitch in time saves nine."

Provenance. Rendered as a quoted commentary witness with explicit reference extraction from the source prose.

Canonical locus

Ecclesiastes 10:18

Source lane

Apologetics Bible source bundle

Exposition: Ecclesiastes 10:18 emphasizes a key movement in the chapter's argument. In KJV form, the text reads: 'By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.'. Read in canonical context, the verse supports the coherence of biblical revelation by linking doctrine, narrative, and covenantal meaning.

Apologetics Notes
  • Scientific Correlation: This verse is suitable for cumulative-case reasoning in apologetics: historical context, textual stability, and worldview coherence are evaluated together rather than in isolation.
  • Hebrew Grammar: A close Hebrew reading should attend lexical range, clause flow, and discourse function in context; these controls reduce over-reading and preserve authorial intent.
  • Historical Evidence: Historically, this verse is interpreted within the received canonical tradition, where manuscript continuity and early community usage support stable transmission and meaning.

Ecclesiastes 10:19

Hebrew
לִשְׂחוֹק עֹשִׂים לֶחֶם וְיַיִן יְשַׂמַּח חַיִּים וְהַכֶּסֶף יַעֲנֶה אֶת־הַכֹּֽל׃

lishechvoq-'oshiym-lechem-veyayin-yeshamach-chayiym-vehakhesef-ya'aneh-'et-hakhol

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

AKJV: A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes merry: but money answers all things. ¶

ASV: A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh glad the life; and money answereth all things.

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

Commentary WitnessEcclesiastes 10:19
Quoted commentary witness

Commentary Witness

Ecclesiastes 10:19

Quoted commentary witness

Verse 19 A feast is made for laughter - The object of it is to produce merriment, to banish care and concern of every kind. But who are they who make and frequent such places? Epicures and drunkards generally; such as those of whom Horace speaks: Nos numerus sumus, et fruges consumere nati. Epist. lib. i., ep. 2, ver. 27. "Those whose names stand as indications of men, the useless many; and who appear to be born only to consume the produce of the soil." But money answereth all - This saying has prevailed everywhere. Scilicet uxorem cum dote, fidemque, et amicos, Et genus, et formam Regina Pecunia donat; Ac bene nummatum decorat Suadela, Venusque. Hor. Ep. lib. i., ep. 6, ver. 36. "For gold, the sovereign Queen of all below, Friends, honor, birth, and beauty, can bestow. The goddess of persuasion forms her train; And Venus decks the well-bemonied swain." Francis.

Provenance. Rendered as a quoted commentary witness with explicit reference extraction from the source prose.

Canonical locus

Ecclesiastes 10:19

Source lane

Apologetics Bible source bundle

Named authorities or texts detected in the witness

  • Epist
  • Suadela
  • Venusque
  • Hor
  • Ep
  • Friends
  • Francis

Exposition: Ecclesiastes 10:19 emphasizes a key movement in the chapter's argument. In KJV form, the text reads: 'A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.'. Read in canonical context, the verse supports the coherence of biblical revelation by linking doctrine, narrative, and covenantal meaning.

Apologetics Notes
  • Scientific Correlation: This verse is suitable for cumulative-case reasoning in apologetics: historical context, textual stability, and worldview coherence are evaluated together rather than in isolation.
  • Hebrew Grammar: A close Hebrew reading should attend lexical range, clause flow, and discourse function in context; these controls reduce over-reading and preserve authorial intent.
  • Historical Evidence: Historically, this verse is interpreted within the received canonical tradition, where manuscript continuity and early community usage support stable transmission and meaning.

Ecclesiastes 10:20

Hebrew
גַּם בְּמַדָּֽעֲךָ מֶלֶךְ אַל־תְּקַלֵּל וּבְחַדְרֵי מִשְׁכָּבְךָ אַל־תְּקַלֵּל עָשִׁיר כִּי עוֹף הַשָּׁמַיִם יוֹלִיךְ אֶת־הַקּוֹל וּבַעַל הכנפים כְּנָפַיִם יַגֵּיד דָּבָֽר׃

gam-vemada'akha-melekhe-'al-teqalel-vvechaderey-mishekhavekha-'al-teqalel-'ashiyr-khiy-'vof-hashamayim-yvoliykhe-'et-haqvol-vva'al-hkhnfym-khenafayim-yageyd-davar

KJV: 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.

AKJV: Curse not the king, no not in your thought; and curse not the rich in your bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which has wings shall tell the matter.

ASV: Revile not the king, no, not in thy thought; and revile not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the heavens shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.

YLT: 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.

Commentary WitnessEcclesiastes 10:20
Quoted commentary witness

Commentary Witness

Ecclesiastes 10:20

Quoted commentary witness

Verse 20 Curse not the king - Do not permit thyself even to think evil of the king; lest thy tongue at some time give vent to thy thoughts, and so thou be chargeable with treason. For a bird of the air shall carry the voice - Does he refer here to such fowls as the carrier pigeon, which were often used to carry letters under their wings to a great distance, and bring back answers? The Targum turns it curiously: "Do not speak evil of the king in thy conscience, nor in the secret of thy heart, nor in the most hidden place in thy house, curse not a wise man; for Raziel calls daily from heaven upon Mount Horeb, and his voice goes through the whole world; and Elijah, the great priest, goes, flying through the air like a winged eagle, and publishes the words which are spoken in secret by all the inhabitants of the earth." Civil government is so peculiarly of God, that he will have it supported for the benefit of mankind; and those who attempt to disturb it are generally marked by his strong disapprobation. And though there have been multitudes of treasons hatched in the deepest secrecy; yet, through the providence of God, they have been discovered in the most singular manner. This shows God's care for government.

Provenance. Rendered as a quoted commentary witness with explicit reference extraction from the source prose.

Canonical locus

Ecclesiastes 10:20

Source lane

Apologetics Bible source bundle

Named authorities or texts detected in the witness

  • Ovid
  • Targum
  • Mount Horeb
  • Elijah

Exposition: Ecclesiastes 10:20 emphasizes a key movement in the chapter's argument. In KJV form, the text reads: '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.'. Read in canonical context, the verse supports the coherence of biblical revelation by linking doctrine, narrative, and covenantal meaning.

Apologetics Notes
  • Scientific Correlation: This verse is suitable for cumulative-case reasoning in apologetics: historical context, textual stability, and worldview coherence are evaluated together rather than in isolation.
  • Hebrew Grammar: A close Hebrew reading should attend lexical range, clause flow, and discourse function in context; these controls reduce over-reading and preserve authorial intent.
  • Historical Evidence: Historically, this verse is interpreted within the received canonical tradition, where manuscript continuity and early community usage support stable transmission and meaning.

Citation trailOpen the commentary counts, references, and named sources.

Scholarly apparatus

Commentary citation index

This chapter now surfaces commentary as quoted witness material with an explicit citation trail. The index below gathers the canonical references and named authorities detected inside the commentary layer for faster academic review.

Direct commentary witnesses

17

Generated editorial witnesses

3

Source lane

Apologetics Bible source bundle

Canonical references surfaced in commentary

  • Ecclesiastes 10:1
  • Ecclesiastes 10:2
  • Ecclesiastes 10:3
  • Ecclesiastes 10:4
  • Ecclesiastes 10:5
  • Ecclesiastes 10:6
  • Ecclesiastes 10:7
  • Ecclesiastes 10:8
  • Ecclesiastes 10:9
  • Ecclesiastes 10:10
  • Gen 3:1
  • Ecclesiastes 10:11
  • Ecclesiastes 10:12
  • Ecclesiastes 10:13
  • Ecclesiastes 10:14
  • Ecclesiastes 10:15
  • Ecclesiastes 10:16
  • Ecclesiastes 10:17
  • Ecclesiastes 10:18
  • Ecclesiastes 10:19
  • Ecclesiastes 10:20

Named authorities or texts surfaced in commentary

  • Hence
  • And
  • Vanity
  • Ovid
  • Becket
  • Cardinal Woolsey
  • Thus
  • Bible
  • Coverdale
  • Septuagint
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
  • Supper
  • Epist
  • Suadela
  • Venusque
  • Hor
  • Ep
  • Friends
  • Francis
  • Targum
  • Mount Horeb
  • Elijah
Book directory Open the 66-book reader directory Use this when you need a specific book. The passage reader above stays first.
Book explorer

Choose a book and open the reader.

Each card opens chapter 1 for that canonical book. The directory is here for navigation, not as the first thing a visitor has to read.

Examples: Genesis, Psalms, Gospels, prophets, Romans, Revelation.

Old Testament Law

Genesis

Rendered chapters 1–50 are mapped to the public reader path for Genesis. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 50 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Genesis

Open Genesis

Old Testament Law

Exodus

Rendered chapters 1–40 are mapped to the public reader path for Exodus. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 40 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Exodus

Open Exodus

Old Testament Law

Leviticus

Rendered chapters 1–27 are mapped to the public reader path for Leviticus. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 27 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Leviticus

Open Leviticus

Old Testament Law

Numbers

Rendered chapters 1–36 are mapped to the public reader path for Numbers. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 36 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Numbers

Open Numbers

Old Testament Law

Deuteronomy

Rendered chapters 1–34 are mapped to the public reader path for Deuteronomy. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 34 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Deuteronomy

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Old Testament History

Joshua

Rendered chapters 1–24 are mapped to the public reader path for Joshua. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 24 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Joshua

Open Joshua

Old Testament History

Judges

Rendered chapters 1–21 are mapped to the public reader path for Judges. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 21 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Judges

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Old Testament History

Ruth

Rendered chapters 1–4 are mapped to the public reader path for Ruth. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 4 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Ruth

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Old Testament History

1 Samuel

Rendered chapters 1–31 are mapped to the public reader path for 1 Samuel. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 31 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for 1 Samuel

Open 1 Samuel

Old Testament History

2 Samuel

Rendered chapters 1–24 are mapped to the public reader path for 2 Samuel. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 24 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for 2 Samuel

Open 2 Samuel

Old Testament History

1 Kings

Rendered chapters 1–22 are mapped to the public reader path for 1 Kings. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 22 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for 1 Kings

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Old Testament History

2 Kings

Rendered chapters 1–25 are mapped to the public reader path for 2 Kings. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 25 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for 2 Kings

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Old Testament History

1 Chronicles

Rendered chapters 1–29 are mapped to the public reader path for 1 Chronicles. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 29 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for 1 Chronicles

Open 1 Chronicles

Old Testament History

2 Chronicles

Rendered chapters 1–36 are mapped to the public reader path for 2 Chronicles. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 36 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for 2 Chronicles

Open 2 Chronicles

Old Testament History

Ezra

Rendered chapters 1–10 are mapped to the public reader path for Ezra. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 10 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Ezra

Open Ezra

Old Testament History

Nehemiah

Rendered chapters 1–13 are mapped to the public reader path for Nehemiah. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 13 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Nehemiah

Open Nehemiah

Old Testament History

Esther

Rendered chapters 1–10 are mapped to the public reader path for Esther. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 10 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Esther

Open Esther

Old Testament Wisdom

Job

Rendered chapters 1–42 are mapped to the public reader path for Job. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 42 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Job

Open Job

Old Testament Wisdom

Psalms

Rendered chapters 1–150 are mapped to the public reader path for Psalms. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 150 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Psalms

Open Psalms

Old Testament Wisdom

Proverbs

Rendered chapters 1–31 are mapped to the public reader path for Proverbs. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 31 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Proverbs

Open Proverbs

Old Testament Wisdom

Ecclesiastes

Rendered chapters 1–12 are mapped to the public reader path for Ecclesiastes. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 12 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Ecclesiastes

Open Ecclesiastes

Old Testament Wisdom

Song of Solomon

Rendered chapters 1–8 are mapped to the public reader path for Song of Solomon. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 8 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Song of Solomon

Open Song of Solomon

Old Testament Prophets

Isaiah

Rendered chapters 1–66 are mapped to the public reader path for Isaiah. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 66 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Isaiah

Open Isaiah

Old Testament Prophets

Jeremiah

Rendered chapters 1–52 are mapped to the public reader path for Jeremiah. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 52 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Jeremiah

Open Jeremiah

Old Testament Prophets

Lamentations

Rendered chapters 1–5 are mapped to the public reader path for Lamentations. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 5 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Lamentations

Open Lamentations

Old Testament Prophets

Ezekiel

Rendered chapters 1–48 are mapped to the public reader path for Ezekiel. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 48 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Ezekiel

Open Ezekiel

Old Testament Prophets

Daniel

Rendered chapters 1–12 are mapped to the public reader path for Daniel. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 12 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Daniel

Open Daniel

Old Testament Prophets

Hosea

Rendered chapters 1–14 are mapped to the public reader path for Hosea. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 14 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Hosea

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Old Testament Prophets

Joel

Rendered chapters 1–3 are mapped to the public reader path for Joel. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 3 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Joel

Open Joel

Old Testament Prophets

Amos

Rendered chapters 1–9 are mapped to the public reader path for Amos. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 9 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Amos

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Old Testament Prophets

Obadiah

Rendered chapter 1 are mapped to the public reader path for Obadiah. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 1 rendered chapter
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Obadiah

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Old Testament Prophets

Jonah

Rendered chapters 1–4 are mapped to the public reader path for Jonah. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 4 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Jonah

Open Jonah

Old Testament Prophets

Micah

Rendered chapters 1–7 are mapped to the public reader path for Micah. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 7 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Micah

Open Micah

Old Testament Prophets

Nahum

Rendered chapters 1–3 are mapped to the public reader path for Nahum. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 3 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Nahum

Open Nahum

Old Testament Prophets

Habakkuk

Rendered chapters 1–3 are mapped to the public reader path for Habakkuk. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 3 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Habakkuk

Open Habakkuk

Old Testament Prophets

Zephaniah

Rendered chapters 1–3 are mapped to the public reader path for Zephaniah. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 3 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Zephaniah

Open Zephaniah

Old Testament Prophets

Haggai

Rendered chapters 1–2 are mapped to the public reader path for Haggai. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 2 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Haggai

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Old Testament Prophets

Zechariah

Rendered chapters 1–14 are mapped to the public reader path for Zechariah. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 14 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Zechariah

Open Zechariah

Old Testament Prophets

Malachi

Rendered chapters 1–4 are mapped to the public reader path for Malachi. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 4 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Malachi

Open Malachi

New Testament Gospels

Matthew

Rendered chapters 1–28 are mapped to the public reader path for Matthew. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 28 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Matthew

Open Matthew

New Testament Gospels

Mark

Rendered chapters 1–16 are mapped to the public reader path for Mark. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 16 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Mark

Open Mark

New Testament Gospels

Luke

Rendered chapters 1–24 are mapped to the public reader path for Luke. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 24 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Luke

Open Luke

New Testament Gospels

John

Rendered chapters 1–21 are mapped to the public reader path for John. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 21 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for John

Open John

New Testament History

Acts

Rendered chapters 1–28 are mapped to the public reader path for Acts. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 28 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Acts

Open Acts

New Testament Letters

Romans

Rendered chapters 1–16 are mapped to the public reader path for Romans. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 16 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Romans

Open Romans

New Testament Letters

1 Corinthians

Rendered chapters 1–16 are mapped to the public reader path for 1 Corinthians. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 16 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for 1 Corinthians

Open 1 Corinthians

New Testament Letters

2 Corinthians

Rendered chapters 1–13 are mapped to the public reader path for 2 Corinthians. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 13 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for 2 Corinthians

Open 2 Corinthians

New Testament Letters

Galatians

Rendered chapters 1–6 are mapped to the public reader path for Galatians. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 6 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Galatians

Open Galatians

New Testament Letters

Ephesians

Rendered chapters 1–6 are mapped to the public reader path for Ephesians. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 6 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Ephesians

Open Ephesians

New Testament Letters

Philippians

Rendered chapters 1–4 are mapped to the public reader path for Philippians. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 4 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Philippians

Open Philippians

New Testament Letters

Colossians

Rendered chapters 1–4 are mapped to the public reader path for Colossians. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 4 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Colossians

Open Colossians

New Testament Letters

1 Thessalonians

Rendered chapters 1–5 are mapped to the public reader path for 1 Thessalonians. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 5 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for 1 Thessalonians

Open 1 Thessalonians

New Testament Letters

2 Thessalonians

Rendered chapters 1–3 are mapped to the public reader path for 2 Thessalonians. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 3 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for 2 Thessalonians

Open 2 Thessalonians

New Testament Letters

1 Timothy

Rendered chapters 1–6 are mapped to the public reader path for 1 Timothy. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 6 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for 1 Timothy

Open 1 Timothy

New Testament Letters

2 Timothy

Rendered chapters 1–4 are mapped to the public reader path for 2 Timothy. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 4 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for 2 Timothy

Open 2 Timothy

New Testament Letters

Titus

Rendered chapters 1–3 are mapped to the public reader path for Titus. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 3 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Titus

Open Titus

New Testament Letters

Philemon

Rendered chapter 1 are mapped to the public reader path for Philemon. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 1 rendered chapter
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Philemon

Open Philemon

New Testament Letters

Hebrews

Rendered chapters 1–13 are mapped to the public reader path for Hebrews. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 13 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Hebrews

Open Hebrews

New Testament Letters

James

Rendered chapters 1–5 are mapped to the public reader path for James. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 5 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for James

Open James

New Testament Letters

1 Peter

Rendered chapters 1–5 are mapped to the public reader path for 1 Peter. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 5 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for 1 Peter

Open 1 Peter

New Testament Letters

2 Peter

Rendered chapters 1–3 are mapped to the public reader path for 2 Peter. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 3 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for 2 Peter

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New Testament Letters

1 John

Rendered chapters 1–5 are mapped to the public reader path for 1 John. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 5 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for 1 John

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New Testament Letters

2 John

Rendered chapter 1 are mapped to the public reader path for 2 John. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 1 rendered chapter
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for 2 John

Open 2 John

New Testament Letters

3 John

Rendered chapter 1 are mapped to the public reader path for 3 John. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 1 rendered chapter
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for 3 John

Open 3 John

New Testament Letters

Jude

Rendered chapter 1 are mapped to the public reader path for Jude. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 1 rendered chapter
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Jude

Open Jude

New Testament Apocalypse

Revelation

Rendered chapters 1–22 are mapped to the public reader path for Revelation. Use this card to open chapter 1 and move directly into the study surface.

  • Coverage: 22 rendered chapters
  • Current public use: chapter reader path for Revelation

Open Revelation

What this explorer shows today

The public reader has book-by-book chapter entry points across the 66-book canon. Deeper corpus and provenance details stay on the supporting Bible Data shelves.

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