Ecclesiastes 10:5

Ecclesiastes 10:5 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:
• New International Version (NIV)There is an evil I have seen under the sun, the sort of error that arises from a ruler:
• English Standard Version (ESV)There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were an error proceeding from the ruler:
• New King James Version (NKJV)There is an evil I have seen under the sun, As an error proceeding from the ruler:

Context of Ecclesiastes 10:5

3Even when a fool walks along the road, his [common] sense and good judgment fail him and he demonstrates to everyone that he is a fool. 4If the temper of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your post [showing resistance], because composure and calmness prevent great offenses. There is an evil I have seen under the sun, like an error which proceeds from the ruler— 6folly is set in many exalted places and in great dignity while the rich sit in humble places. 7I have seen slaves riding on horses and princes walking like slaves on the ground.

Ecclesiastes 10:5 word by word

יֵ֣שׁ רָעָ֔ה רָאִ֖יתִי תַּ֣חַת הַשָּׁ֑מֶשׁ כִּשְׁגָגָ֕ה שֶׁיֹּצָ֖א מִלִּפְנֵ֥י הַשַּׁלִּֽיט׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• There isיֵשׁyêsh · thereH3426
• an evilרָעָהra‛ râ‛âh · distress: evilH7451
• I have seenרָאָהrâ'âh · to see: seeH7200
• under the sunשֶׁ֫מֶשׁshemesh · sunH8121
• as an errorשְׁגָגָהshegâgâh · sin of errorH7684
• proceedethיָצָאyâtsâ' · to come out: comeH3318
• fromפָּנֶהpânîym · face: beforeH6440
• the rulerשַׁלִּיטshallîyţ · domineeringH7989

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 10:5

• Ecclesiastes 4:7Then I looked again at vanity under the sun [in one of its peculiar forms].
• Ecclesiastes 5:13There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: riches being kept and hoarded by their owner to his own misery.
• Ecclesiastes 6:1There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it weighs heavily on men:
• Ecclesiastes 9:3This evil is in all that is done under the sun, that one fate comes to all. Also, the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil, and madness is in their hearts while they live, and afterwards they go to the dead.
• Ecclesiastes 3:16Moreover, I have seen under the sun that in the place of justice there is wickedness, and in the place of righteousness there is wickedness.
• Ecclesiastes 4:1Then I looked again and considered all the acts of oppression that were being practiced under the sun. And behold I saw the tears of the oppressed and they had no one to comfort them; and on the side of their oppressors was power, but they had no one to comfort them.

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 10:5

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 5An 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…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 4-10Verses 4-10 Solomon appears to caution men not to seek redress in a hasty manner, nor to yield to pride and revenge. Do not, in a passion, quit thy post of duty; wait awhile, and thou wilt find that yielding pacifies great offences. Men are not preferred according to their merit. And those are often most forward to offer help, who are least aware of the difficulties, or the consequences. The same remark is applied to the church, or the body of Christ…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 5-7Giving power to those who cannot use it wisely is a big mistake. Favoritism, nepotism, extortion, and bribery can put reckless people in powerful positions.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 55. as--rather, "by reason of an error" [Maurer and Holden].Read the comment

Topics related to Ecclesiastes 10:5

• Rulers

In the dictionaries

• Direct
• Idleness
• Prince
• Ignorance
• Synagogue, the Great

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 10

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings