Bible Commentaries
Ecclesiastes 10

Verse 1

Dead flies. Hebrew flies of death: i.e. flies that bring or produce death. Supply the Figure of speech Ellipsis, "[as] dead".

cause = [are that which will] cause, &c.

to send forth a stinking savour = to stink [and] fer-ment. Figure of speech Hendiadys. App-6 .

folly = stupidity. Hebrew. sakal. Same root as in Ecclesiastes 10:6 . See note on Proverbs 1:7 .

him. Note the Figure of speech Ellipsis ( App-6 ) : "So doth stupidity [cause] him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour [to send forth an offensive savour]".

wisdom. Hebrew. chakmah. See note on Ecclesiastes 1:2 .

Verse 2

fool's = dullard's. Hebrew. kesil = fat, inert. Same word as in Ecclesiastes 10:12 . See note on Proverbs 1:7 .

Verse 3

fool. Hebrew. sakal. Same word as in verses: Ecclesiastes 10:6 , Ecclesiastes 10:14 , not verses: Ecclesiastes 10:2 , Ecclesiastes 10:12 , Ecclesiastes 10:15 .

wisdom = beart.

saith = tells. See note on Proverbs 1:7 .

he = he himself (emph.)

Verse 4

spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .

yielding, &c. = gentleness preventeth greater outrages.

Verse 5

evil. Hebrew. ra'a' . App-44 .

under the sun. See note on Ecclesiastes 1:3 .

Verse 6

Folly = a great dullard. Hebrew. sakal, as in verses: Ecclesiastes 10:1 , Ecclesiastes 10:3 , Ecclesiastes 10:3 , Ecclesiastes 10:14 .

in great dignity = in many high positions.

Verse 7

horses. No evidence of a late origin of this book, for we read of them in 1 Kings 4:26 , 1Ki 4:28 ; 1 Kings 10:26 , 1 Kings 10:28 ; 1Ki 22:4 . 2 Kings 9:33 ; 2 Kings 14:20 . If not in common use, it was because of the Law (Deuteronomy 17:16 ); and because of Solomon's disobedience (1 Kings 10:28 . 2Ch 1:16 , 2 Chronicles 1:17 ; 2 Chronicles 9:28 ).

upon the earth. See note on Ecclesiastes 5:2 .

Verse 8

hedge = a wall built of loose stones without mortar. Hebrew. gader, used especially of sheep-folds (Numbers 32:16 , Numbers 32:24 , Numbers 32:36 ; 1 Samuel 24:3 ). Zephaniah 2:6 ); also for fencing pathways between the vineyards (Numbers 22:24 .Psalms 62:3 ; Psalms 80:12 ). The crevices between the loose stones form hiding-places for lizards and other creeping things.

Verse 13

foolishness. Hebrew. sakal, as in verses: Ecclesiastes 10:3 , Ecclesiastes 10:6 , Ecclesiastes 10:14 .

madness. See note on Ecclesiastes 1:17 .

Verse 15

labour = toil.

foolish. Hebrew. kesil, as in Ecclesiastes 10:2 and Ecclesiastes 10:12 ; not sakal, as in verses: Ecclesiastes 10:3 , Ecclesiastes 10:6 , Ecclesiastes 10:13 , Ecclesiastes 3:14 .

Verse 17

Blessed = Happy. Hebrew. 'ashrey. The only occurrence in this book.

Verse 18

building decayeth = the roof falleth in.

droppeth through = leaketh.

Verse 19

wine. Hebrew. yayin. App-27 .

maketh merry = will gladden life. Compare Psalms 104:15 .

answereth all things = maketh everything respond [to their requirements]: i.e. will procure both [feast and wine]. See note on Ecclesiastes 5:19 , the only two occurrences of 'anah in this book.

Verse 20

Curse not the king = Revile not a king.

in thy thought = in thy secret thought: i.e. with all thy [acquired] knowledge. Hebrew. madda', a rare word. Occurs only six times. Rendered "thought", here; "knowledge" (2 Chronicles 1:10 , 2Ch 1:11 , 2 Chronicles 1:12 .Daniel 1:17; Daniel 1:17 ); "science" (Daniel 1:4 ).