"If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for gentleness allayeth great offences.". That would be wise and by that wisdom you would gain some profit and benefit. Wed expect that good men will live forever or at least a long time and that evil men would die early. _A little folly mars the effect of wisdom, _and is sure to The tragedy of oppression. (c-19) Or 'gentleness allayeth great sins.' So, if your axe head is blunt then youll need to exert more strength to cut down a tree or split wood. Bible Commentary for Ecclesiastes 10:4. 5: oritur sol et occidit et ad locum suum revertitur ibique renascens. And, of course, we are told that our President and Vice President and former President Richard Nixon, David Rockefeller, that elitist of the United States, members of this Bohemian Club, and they have a little retreat north of San Francisco where they go once a year for a retreat. So Jacob overcame Esau (; ), and David Saul, (1 Samuel 26:1.). While spoiling his neighbours property, he himself may come to greater mischief. (Clarke), ii. If people want to enjoy the good things of life, they must work so that they can earn the money to buy them (18-19). Pacifieth great offences.Rather, probably, quieteth great offences, that is to say, not so much puts an end to the offence felt by the ruler, as to the offences likely to be committed if he do not restrain himself. The temper of a ruler directed toward us is dangerous. Just like there are uncertainties in the arena of whos ruling in a society so too is there uncertainty in everyday life. Unfortunately, fools often get into places of authority, but more capable people are not given a chance (4-7). kept in thy hands will make pacification for great offences._ From the D. ILLUSTRATIONS OF THOSE WHO LACK Wis. 10:1-11 Do not leave your post; leave H3240 (H8686) post H4725 conc. Jarchi interprets it of the spirit of the governor of the world, strictly inquiring into the actions of men; and healing their sins by chastisements, which cause them to leave them. Home / Commentary / Ecclesiastes / Ecclesiastes Chapter 10 / Ecclesiastes 10:1-4. modestly and humbly submit to him. I. A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him? And, "What did you mean when you said " Oh, so better not to tell little birds. . Men are not preferred according to their merit. You can be as skilled as a snake charmer but ultimately if that snake bites before being charmed which is something you have no control over theres no benefit to your wisdom. ( Ecclesiastes 10:12-14 ). But I think youll see that they contribute to what weve just been told. The word translated composure is marpe, which is often translated health or remedy. The remedy for a great offense such as temper is composure. manner, and, like a storm and tempest, is very blustering and wisdom and honor (Ecclesiastes 10:1). And so it's tragic that wise men can do such foolish things. Ecclesiastes 9:17 to Eccle. Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. And the end of his talk is raving madness. a. Now I don't know that there's any scientific. Chapter 4 deals mainly with the inequalities of life and Solomon bemoans the terrible acts of oppression, the shocking discrimination, and the lust to control the minds of others, by certain individuals that seemed to characterise the days of Solomon and is so prevalent in today's society. i. If we rely solely on human reason and experience, we only find futility and madness. I. If you do not want that we track your visit to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here: We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. It appears more correct to render in both cases in the sense of , missum facere: to leave great sins is equals not to commit them, to give up the lust thereto; for hinniahh signifies to let go, to leave off, e.g., Jeremiah 14:9; and to indulge, Esther 3:8, here as at Ecclesiastes 7:18; Ecclesiastes 11:6, "to keep the hands from something." 6 (3) Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his ). ECCLESIASTES 10:1 1. a. Or you could be wise about it and sharpen the axe. Wesley's Notes for Ecclesiastes 10:4. What difference does it make? and the beginning of chap. Solomon invites us on a great journey of discovery. THE SPIRIT; the passion or wrath, as is manifest from the following And it has something to do with rulers. THE FOLLOWING COMMENTARY COVERS CHAPTER S 1 THROUGH 12. Foolishness is the opposite of wisdom. Foolishness is the opposite of wisdom and its effects/consequences are readily apparent. Instruction (10:1-4) Observation (10:5-19) Instruction (10:20-12:8) Conclusion (12:9-14) The author, Qoholeth in Hebrew, or Assembler, is trying to make sense of life under the sun. It is widely believed Qoholeth is King Solomon, renowned for his wisdom. He who digs a pit will fall into it: Solomon listed several examples of those who did wrong or foolish things and then suffered because of it. The spirit The passion. But wisdom brings success. But In A Wise Use And A Wise Enjoyment Of The Present Li How, then, does worldly wisdom work? Trying to somehow it's amazing to me what dumb things wise men can do and leaders can do and all.When we were little kids, we would make up our clubs with our secret oaths and our initiations and our passwords, and you know, the whole thing. And the Preacher says that this kind of reversal of the way things ought to be is evil. But this time at least to start with he contrasts the woe that foolish rulers brings to a land with the blessing of wise rulers. In other words, men who are in reputation for wisdom and honor, it's just folly and their life is out of place. I think I'm getting a heartbeat. So, foolishness is in many positions of authority. Then he must use more strength; He grants there is an evil often seen under the sun, and it is a king's-evil, an evil which the king only can cure, for it is an error which proceeds from the ruler (Ecclesiastes 10:5; Ecclesiastes 10:5); it is a mistake which rulers, consulting their personal affections more than the public interests, are too often guilty of, that men are not preferred according to their merit, but folly is set in great dignity, men of shattered brains, and broken fortunes, are put in places of power and trust, while the rich men of good sense and good estates, whose interest would oblige them to be true to the public, and whose abundance would be likely to set them above temptations to bribery and extortion, yet sit in low places, and can get no preferment (Ecclesiastes 10:6; Ecclesiastes 10:6), either the ruler knows not how to value them or the terms of preferment are such as they cannot in conscience comply with. "It's my right of way." And it wont be good for anyone. He maintains his composure and so gives the impression, rightly or wrongly, that his boss did not need to be angry. Who can tell him what will be after him? Even when a fool walks along the way, (See Proverbs 15:4.). 20 Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter. Leave not thy place Humble thyself before him, that is thy place and duty; for yielding to him, and not standing stoutly in thy defence, 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. ii. There are certain men that just should not be doing foolish things. [Note: Hubbard, p. It's dumb to just argue over things like that. ii. Ecclesiastes: Koheleth's Quest for Life's Meaning (232 page commentary -Submitted in partial fulfillment of . And the picture is one of a house. Foolish men are promoted or accepted to positions of great leadership. But the lips of a fool shall swallow him up; Jarchi interprets it of the spirit of the governor of the world, strictly inquiring into the actions of men; and healing their sins by chastisements, which cause them to leave them. The fool has no sense of direction or goal. The apothecary.] And what happens for us as interpreters is that we need to make a decision between one or the other possibilities. But, getting beyond grammar, heres the point of the Preacher. And whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a serpent. We need 2 cookies to store this setting. We might save ourselves a great deal of labour, and prevent a great deal of danger, if we did whet before we cut, that is, consider and premeditate what is fit to be said and done in every difficult case, that we may accommodate ourselves to it and may do our work smoothly and easily both to others and to ourselves. Click to enable/disable Google reCaptcha. Ecclesiastes Commentary - 10 pages; Alternative resource - Ecclesiastes Notes Chapter by Chapter; WESTON FIELDS. To such Solomon here gives some necessary cautions. So, let me ask does the one always involve the other? 8 He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh a hedge, a serpent shall bite him. or if he fall into outward distress, poverty, and want, his spiritual friend or friends will distribute to his necessity; if he falls into errors, as a good man may, such as are of the same religious society with him will take some pains to convince him of the error of his way, and to convert him from it, and to save a soul from death, and cover Sharpen it, takes less strength. Thus it is not the common kind, but a cost EXPOSITION And so when you read about it or hear about it, you'll say, "I heard about that someplace. I. His reputation may be impeccable. And a bird in flight may tell the matter. 14 A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him? You dont want the very thing protecting you from the elements to be weakened so as to let through things that can make your life uncomfortable and that can harm you. But it's something that they are zeroing in on even as they've zeroed in on Nancy Reagan's fancy clothes and all. And a lot of people have been killed by insisting on their right of ways. So, first of all, regarding rulers and those in authority, dont lose your cool if a rulers spirit or temper rises against you. But even at his strongest and best mankind is hopelessly at the whim of the unpredictability of life. Free shipping . A serpent may bite when it is not charmed; the babbler is no different: As dangerous as a biting serpent is the one who talks babbles like a fool. . And so you're going to be reading more and more about the Bohemian Club. Click to enable/disable _ga - Google Analytics Cookie. Dead flies putrefy the perfumers ointment, a. Vanity of vanities: The Preacher begins his sermon with his first conclusion (though not his ultimate conclusion). And in verse 7, seeing servants where princes ought to be and vice versa is seen as an evil error. Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning! Verse Ecclesiastes 10:2. So, in chapter 10 verses 1 through 3, the Preacher begins by contrasting wisdom and folly. In Solomon's reign the people were very rich, and lived in prosperity, which perhaps made them proud and petulant, and when the taxes were high, though they had enough to pay them with, it is probable that many conducted themselves . If the iron be blunt, and he do not sharpen the edge, then must he put in more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct ( Ecclesiastes 10:9-10 ). Utilizing a mix of imagery and direct description, the Book of Ecclesiastes is an honest attempt to reconcile life on this Earth with the mysteries of Heaven. Ecclesiastes 4 Lessons by Rob Harbison of God Himself as over against His created universe. a. wisdom faileth him, and he saith to everyone that he is a fool. The word for fool here is sakal, which implies a dense, confused thinker. (Deane). Good advice. 16 Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning! Now, I dont think Ive ever smelled the smell of dead flies. So, in both cases our attention is brought to the roof of the house. 1. Alexander Maclaren made a spiritual application of the idea, whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a serpent: Whoso pulls down the wall of temperance, a serpent will bite him. 8:3 ) ; for yielding pacifieth great If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but wisdom brings success: The fool will continue to use a dull ax, instead of being wise and sharpening the edge. No man knows what is to be; There is no doubt that emotions would be heightened within any person toward whom the anger of a ruler is directed. Ecclesiastes 4-6 - Unsatisfying Wealth A. In the end, it is a strange joy only found through full consideration of the mysteries of God. If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee All work, he says, and all dexterity in work, is due to envy, to a jealous determination to outstrip our neighbours, to what Mallock calls the "desire for inequality." A little foolishness can poison a lot of wisdom. Your desires and values and such lead the path you take in life. i. F.B. of a. thee_ Upon some misinformation given him, or mismanagement of thine; the boastful self-assertion of the fool is appended as a contrast, Job (Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms) Ecclesiastes 10:4 Parallel Verses [ See commentary ] Ecclesiastes 10:4, NIV: If a ruler's anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness can lay great offenses to rest. And despite the fact that a fools speech is self-destructive and only gets worse as the words increase he just doesnt stop talking. These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience. "A wise man's heart is at his right hand.". The wrath of the I have seen servants on horses, To start, the Preacher points to the effect that the speech of the wise and the fool has on themselves. But the speech of a fool destroys himself. leave not thy place; at court; thine office under the prince, do not throw it up in a passion, and quit his service upon it; and much less forget thy duty and allegiance to him, and go into disloyalty and rebellion; see Ecclesiastes 8:3; for yielding pacifieth great offences; bearing his anger patiently, submitting to his displeasure quietly, making no returns, or at least giving soft answers, and behaving in a modest and humble manner; in time his wrath will subside, and he will be pacified, and forgive the offences committed; or be convinced that there were none, or however not so great as to require such resentment; see Proverbs 15:1. duty and allegiance to him, and go into disloyalty and rebellion; People talk so confidently of the future and all. offences; Ecclesiastes 10:4, ESV: If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place, for calmness will lay great offenses to rest. The wrath of the civil magistrate, the chief ruler of the land, yielding pacifieth(Pr 15:1). Everyone has an innate sense that allows them to discern the difference between wisdom and foolishness. You can also change some of your preferences. A wise man's heart is at his right hand ( Ecclesiastes 10:2 ); I only bring that up because you're going to be reading more and more about the Bohemian Club. 2: vanitas vanitatum dixit Ecclesiastes vanitas vanitatum omnia vanitas. Kings have long ears, heavy hands; walls also and hedges have ears. (Trapp), ii. Yield it. That means the wise and foolish have opposing perspectives and opposing objectives. But considering the dangers of foolishness, it really is tragic. If the spirit of the ruler rises against you: The idea seems to be, Even in a difficult situation, dont leave your post. It is ill with a people when vicious men are advanced and men of worth are kept under hatches. Continue in a diligent and faithful discharge of thy duty, and modestly and humbly submit to him. Previously the Preacher had confidently stated that there is nothing beyond this life, and that this life should be lived with an under the sun premise. This is a metaphorical confirmation of the truth enunciated at the end of the last chapter, One sinner destroyeth much good. (Deane). And sometimes in Scripture a nation is described as a house the house of Jacob represents Israel, for example. a. ECCLESIASTES 10:1. And sometimes verses 8 and 9 . a. Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child: Solomon himself felt that he was but a child when he came to the throne of Israel; therefore, he wisely asked God for the wisdom to lead a great people (1 Kings 3:7-9). He remarks that greed is at the bottom of a good deal of human misery. Ecclesiastes 10:4 in all English translations. These are also opportunities to exercise wisdom. Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to sen Chapter 10: In other words, who would want to listen to a fool? II. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain. quietly, making no returns, or at least giving soft answers, and The foolish worker is in trouble. Well, think about perfume. 3 Even as fools walk along the road, they lack sense and show everyone how stupid they are. However, people might not openly acknowledge the foolishness that is readily apparent. Now, verses 18 and 19 seem to be unrelated to what weve just been talking about the curse of self-indulgent rulers. so great as to require such resentment; see ( Proverbs that of the self-effacement of the wise. The phrase () is not to be compared, for it signifies quieting by an exhausting outbreak; on the contrary, in the passage before us must signify quieting, as the preventing of an outbreak (cf. Recall that Ecclesiastes 8:2-9 concerned not running afoul of government. PROVERBS. But it wont. Required fields are marked *. There seems to be oftentimes inconsistency. 3 Even as fools walk along the road, they lack sense. b. For they do not even know how to go to the city! The labor of fools wearies them, But a part of wisdom is to listen to emotions and yet not allow them to direct our choices. Thats exactly what happens when foolishness enters into a man whos known for his wisdom and honor. (2-3) Foolishness can't be hidden. And there are many chances for us to be foolishfollowing our own instincts, reacting to what others do, trying to control circumstances, just to name a few. For to him that is joined to all the living That continues with living men; there is hope He hath not only some comfort for the present, but also hopes of further and greater happiness in this world, which men are very prone to entertain and cherish in themselves. (4.) ix., Koheleth IF THE SPIRIT OF THE RULER RISE UP _If the anger of the ruler but a fool's heart at his left ( Ecclesiastes 10:2 ). some understand this of a man's having a spirit of rule and government coming upon him, or of his being advanced to power and authority, that then he should not forget the low estate in which he had been. In Solomon's reign the people were very rich, and lived in prosperity, which perhaps made them proud and petulant, and when the taxes were high, though they had enough to pay them with, it is probable that many conducted themselves insolently towards the government and threatened to rebel. Right and left are natural symbols for the strong and good, on the one hand, and for the weak and bad, on the other hand The Latin word sinister means left. (Wright), ii. "Vanity of vanities," says the Preacher; "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.". English Standard Version manifestation is discretion based upon selfishness. Rulers who are self-controlled and balanced. Illustration of the conduct of wisdom under capricious rulers, If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not, Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular, Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit, Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular, Preposition | second person masculine singular, Verb - Hifil - Imperfect Jussive - second person masculine singular. a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him who can tell him? 13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness. Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible. If you're trying to chop wood with a dull iron, dull hatchet or dull ax, it's going to take more strength. a. (2) The Preacher's summary: Life is vanity, without meaning. Salem Media Group. Who can tell you what shall be after you? Ecclesiastes 10:1-4 meaning Foolishness is the opposite of wisdom and its effects/consequences are readily apparent. CHAPTER 10 This chapter contains a series of proverbs, expressing the wisdom and prudence of the natural man. The wrath of the civil magistrate, the chief ruler of the land, the sovereign prince or king, to whom men are and should be subject: if his wrath on any occasion breaks out in a furious manner, and, like a storm and tempest, is very blustering and threatening: leave not thy place; at court; thine office under the prince, do not throw it up in a passion, and quit his service upon it; and much less forget thy duty and allegiance to him, and go into disloyalty and rebellion; see Ecclesiastes 8:3; for yielding pacifieth great offences; bearing his anger patiently, submitting to his displeasure quietly, making no returns, or at least giving soft answers, and behaving in a modest and humble manner; in time his wrath will subside, and he will be pacified, and forgive the offences committed; or be convinced that there were none, or however not so great as to require such resentment; see Proverbs 15:1. Came from this. Thats the point of verse 10. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. Ecclesiastes 10:4, KJV: If the spirit of the ruler rise up against . And verse 9 speaks of the advantages of fellowship . It's just a stinking thing. Solomon also uses this framework to talk about the careful administration of wisdom. We may request cookies to be set on your device. Ecclesiastes 10 New International Version 10 As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. Its an error something that shouldnt happen. There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceeds from the ruler: Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place. 3: quid habet amplius homo de universo labore suo quod laborat sub sole. as such, they corrupt the ointment. He lacks wisdom, While princes walk on the ground like servants. 4 If a ruler's anger rises against you, Old Testament Narrative 2 The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left. The scope of these verses is to keep subjects loyal and dutiful to the government. This is also similar to Solomons statement at the end of Chapter 9, one sinner destroys much good.. Because you never know how that curse might be conveyed to the very one that youre cursing. This might be another way a small amount of foolishness can pollute a large amount of common sense. The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. It's amazing how you say something about someone to a person in confidence thinking that that won't go any further, but it's amazing how many times it will get right back to the person.

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