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The NET Bible®

Ecclesiastes 10:5

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

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Rulers;   The Topic Concordance - Evil;  

Dictionaries:

- Fausset Bible Dictionary - Sin Offering;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Ecclesiastes;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Ignorance;  

Devotionals:

- Every Day Light - Devotion for August 20;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
There is an evil I have seen under the sun, an error proceeding from the presence of the ruler:
Hebrew Names Version
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, the sort of error which proceeds from the ruler.
King James Version
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:
English Standard Version
There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were an error proceeding from the ruler:
New American Standard Bible
There is an evil I have seen under the sun, like a mistake that proceeds from the ruler:
New Century Version
There is something else wrong that happens here on earth. It is the kind of mistake rulers make:
Amplified Bible
There is an evil I have seen under the sun, like an error which proceeds from the ruler—
World English Bible
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, the sort of error which proceeds from the ruler.
Geneva Bible (1587)
There is an euil that I haue seene vnder the sunne, as an error that proceedeth from the face of him that ruleth.
Legacy Standard Bible
There is an evil I have seen under the sun, like a mistake which goes forth from the one in power—
Berean Standard Bible
There is an evil I have seen under the sun-an error that proceeds from the ruler:
Contemporary English Version
Some things rulers do are terribly unfair:
Complete Jewish Bible
Another evil I have seen under the sun, the kind of mistake rulers make, is that
Darby Translation
There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as an error [that] proceedeth from the ruler:
Easy-to-Read Version
Here is something else that I have seen in this life that isn't fair. It is the kind of mistake that rulers make.
George Lamsa Translation
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, like an error which proceeds from before a ruler:
Good News Translation
Here is an injustice I have seen in the world—an injustice caused by rulers.
Lexham English Bible
There is an evil I have seen under the sun— it is an error that proceeds from a ruler!
Literal Translation
There is an evil I have seen under the sun, sins which come from the face of the ruler:
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Another plage is there, which I haue sene vnder the Sonne: namely, ye ignoraunce yt is comonly amonge prynces:
American Standard Version
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as it were an error which proceedeth from the ruler:
Bible in Basic English
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, like an error which comes by chance from a ruler:
JPS Old Testament (1917)
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, like an error which proceedeth from a ruler:
King James Version (1611)
There is an euill which I haue seene vnder the Sunne, as an errour, which proceedeth from the ruler.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Another plague is there whiche I haue seene vnder the sunne, namely, the ignoraunce that is commonly among princes:
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, wherein an error has proceeded from the ruler.
English Revised Version
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as it were an error which proceedeth from the ruler:
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
An yuel is, which Y siy vndur the sunne, and goith out as bi errour fro the face of the prince; a fool set in hiy dignyte,
Update Bible Version
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as it were an error which proceeds from the ruler:
Webster's Bible Translation
There is an evil [which] I have seen under the sun, as an error [which] proceedeth from the ruler:
New King James Version
There is an evil I have seen under the sun, As an error proceeding from the ruler:
New Living Translation
There is another evil I have seen under the sun. Kings and rulers make a grave mistake
New Life Bible
There is a sin I have seen under the sun, like a mistake done by a ruler:
New Revised Standard
There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as great an error as if it proceeded from the ruler:
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Here was a misfortune I had seen under the sun, - a veritable mistake that was going forth from the presence of one who had power:
Douay-Rheims Bible
There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were by an error proceeding from the face of the prince:
Revised Standard Version
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as it were an error proceeding from the ruler:
Young's Literal Translation
There is an evil I have seen under the sun, As an error that goeth out from the ruler,
THE MESSAGE
Here's a piece of bad business I've seen on this earth, An error that can be blamed on whoever is in charge: Immaturity is given a place of prominence, While maturity is made to take a backseat. I've seen unproven upstarts riding in style, While experienced veterans are put out to pasture.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
There is an evil I have seen under the sun, like an error which goes forth from the ruler—

Contextual Overview

4 If the anger of the ruler flares up against you, do not resign from your position, for a calm response can undo great offenses. 5 I have seen another misfortune on the earth: It is an error a ruler makes. 6 Fools are placed in many positions of authority, while wealthy men sit in lowly positions. 7 I have seen slaves on horseback and princes walking on foot like slaves. 8 One who digs a pit may fall into it, and one who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake. 9 One who quarries stones may be injured by them; one who splits logs may be endangered by them. 10 If an iron axhead is blunt and a workman does not sharpen its edge, he must exert a great deal of effort; so wisdom has the advantage of giving success. 11 If the snake should bite before it is charmed, the snake charmer is in trouble.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

an evil: Ecclesiastes 4:7, Ecclesiastes 5:13, Ecclesiastes 6:1, Ecclesiastes 9:3

as an: Ecclesiastes 3:16, Ecclesiastes 4:1

from: Heb. from before

Reciprocal: Proverbs 19:10 - much Proverbs 26:1 - so Proverbs 29:2 - when the wicked Ecclesiastes 8:14 - a vanity Isaiah 3:5 - base

Cross-References

Genesis 10:1
This is the account of Noah's sons Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Sons were born to them after the flood.
Genesis 10:9
He was a mighty hunter before the Lord . (That is why it is said, "Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before the Lord .")
Genesis 10:20
These are the sons of Ham, according to their families, according to their languages, by their lands, and by their nations.
Genesis 10:25
Two sons were born to Eber: One was named Peleg because in his days the earth was divided, and his brother's name was Joktan.
Psalms 72:10
The kings of Tarshish and the coastlands will offer gifts; the kings of Sheba and Seba will bring tribute.
Isaiah 24:15
So in the east extol the Lord , along the seacoasts extol the fame of the Lord God of Israel.
Isaiah 40:15
Look, the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales. He lifts the coastlands as if they were dust.
Isaiah 41:5
The coastlands see and are afraid; the whole earth trembles; they approach and come.
Isaiah 42:4
He will not grow dim or be crushed before establishing justice on the earth; the coastlands will wait in anticipation for his decrees."
Isaiah 42:10
Sing to the Lord a brand new song! Praise him from the horizon of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and everything that lives in it, you coastlands and those who live there!

Gill's Notes on the Bible

There is an evil [which] I have seen under the sun,.... Which Solomon had observed in the course of his life, practised in some kingdoms and by some princes on earth, under the sun; for there is nothing of the like kind, as after mentioned, done in heaven, above the sun;

as an error [which] proceedeth from the ruler; from the supreme ruler of a nation, the king of it; and it is not only as an error, or like one, a seeming one; but it is a real error, bestowing places of honour and profit on undeserving persons: which error proceeds from ignorance of the persons; or from affection to them, and from friendship cultivated with them in the younger time of life, being educated with them; or through the misrepresentation and imposition of those about him, who have ends to serve by their promotion; or through his own lusts and passions, which these men indulge him in. It may be understood of God, the supreme ruler, who suffers such things to be; and which may seem to some an error in providence, though it is not: but the other sense is best.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Ecclesiastes 10:5. An error which proceedeth from the ruler — What this error in the ruler is, the two following verses point out: it is simply 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.


 
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