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 as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking, and he shows everyone that he is a fool. 4If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest. There is an evil I have seen under the sun— an error that proceeds from the ruler: 6Folly is appointed to great heights, but the rich sit in lowly positions. 7I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.

Ecclesiastes 10:5 word by word

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

• There isיֵשׁyêsh · thereH3426
• an evilרָעָהra‛ râ‛âh · distress: evilH7451
• I have seenרָאָהrâ'âh · to see: seeH7200
• underתַּחַתtachath · underneath: underH8478
• the sunשֶׁ֫מֶשׁshemesh · sunH8121
• an errorשְׁגָגָהshegâgâh · sin of errorH7684
• that proceedsיָצָאyâtsâ' · to come out: comeH3318
• fromפָּנֶהpânîym · face: beforeH6440
• the rulerשַׁלִּיטshallîyţ · domineeringH7989

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 10:5

• Ecclesiastes 4:7Again, I saw futility under the sun.
• Ecclesiastes 5:13There is a grievous evil I have seen under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner,
• Ecclesiastes 6:1There is another evil I have seen under the sun, and it weighs heavily upon mankind:
• Ecclesiastes 9:3This is an evil in everything that is done under the sun: There is one fate for everyone. Furthermore, the hearts of men are full of evil and madness while they are alive, and afterward they join the dead.
• Ecclesiastes 3:16Furthermore, I saw under the sun that in the place of judgment there is wickedness, and in the place of righteousness there is wickedness.
• Ecclesiastes 4:1Again I looked, and I considered all the oppression taking place under the sun. I saw the tears of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; the power lay in the hands of their oppressors, and there was no comforter.

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