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Saturday, October 26th, 2024
the Week of Proper 24 / Ordinary 29
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New Living Translation

Ecclesiastes 10:5

There is another evil I have seen under the sun. Kings and rulers make a grave mistake

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

Update Bible Version
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as it were an error which 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:
New English Translation
I have seen another misfortune on the earth: It is an error a ruler makes.
Webster's Bible Translation
There is an evil [which] I have seen under the sun, as an error [which] proceedeth 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.
Amplified Bible
There is an evil I have seen under the sun, like an error which proceeds 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:
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,
English Revised Version
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as it were an error which proceedeth from the ruler:
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:
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:
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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:
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.
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:
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:
Young's Literal Translation
There is an evil I have seen under the sun, As an error that goeth out from 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:
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
There is an evil I have seen under the sun, like a mistake that proceeds 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 American Standard Bible (1995)
There is an evil I have seen under the sun, like an error which goes forth from the ruler—
Legacy Standard Bible
There is an evil I have seen under the sun, like a mistake which goes forth from the one in power—

Contextual Overview

4 If your boss is angry at you, don't quit! A quiet spirit can overcome even great mistakes. 5 There is another evil I have seen under the sun. Kings and rulers make a grave mistake 6 when they give great authority to foolish people and low positions to people of proven worth. 7 I have even seen servants riding horseback like princes—and princes walking like servants! 8 When you dig a well, you might fall in. When you demolish an old wall, you could be bitten by a snake. 9 When you work in a quarry, stones might fall and crush you. When you chop wood, there is danger with each stroke of your ax. 10 Using a dull ax requires great strength, so sharpen the blade. That's the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed. 11 If a snake bites before you charm it, what's the use of being a snake charmer?

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 the families of Shem, Ham, and Japheth, the three sons of Noah. Many children were born to them after the great flood.
Genesis 10:9
Since he was the greatest hunter in the world, his name became proverbial. People would say, "This man is like Nimrod, the greatest hunter in the world."
Genesis 10:20
These were the descendants of Ham, identified by clan, language, territory, and national identity.
Genesis 10:25
Eber had two sons. The first was named Peleg (which means "division"), for during his lifetime the people of the world were divided into different language groups. His brother's name was Joktan.
Psalms 72:10
The western kings of Tarshish and other distant lands will bring him tribute. The eastern kings of Sheba and Seba will bring him gifts.
Isaiah 24:15
In eastern lands, give glory to the Lord . In the lands beyond the sea, praise the name of the Lord , the God of Israel.
Isaiah 40:15
No, for all the nations of the world are but a drop in the bucket. They are nothing more than dust on the scales. He picks up the whole earth as though it were a grain of sand.
Isaiah 41:5
The lands beyond the sea watch in fear. Remote lands tremble and mobilize for war.
Isaiah 42:4
He will not falter or lose heart until justice prevails throughout the earth. Even distant lands beyond the sea will wait for his instruction."
Isaiah 42:10
Sing a new song to the Lord ! Sing his praises from the ends of the earth! Sing, all you who sail the seas, all you who live in distant coastlands.

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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