Ecclesiastes 10:3

Ecclesiastes 10:3 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.
• New International Version (NIV)Even as fools walk along the road, they lack sense and show everyone how stupid they are.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense, and he says to everyone that he is a fool.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Even when a fool walks along the way, He lacks wisdom, And he shows everyone that he is a fool.

Context of Ecclesiastes 10:3

1A few dead flies in a bottle of perfume cause it to have a bad smell. In the same way, one foolish thing can destroy a lot of wisdom. 2If you are wise, you know the right way to go. But a fool is stupid and he goes the wrong way. Even when fools walk along the road, they show that they are stupid. Everyone can see that they are not wise. 4If your master becomes angry with you, do not leave your place. Be patient and answer him quietly. Then he will forgive your mistakes. 5I have seen another terrible thing that happens on the earth. It happens when a ruler does a silly thing.

Ecclesiastes 10:3 word by word

וְגַם־בַּדֶּ֛רֶךְ כְּשֶׁסָּכָ֥ל הֹלֵ֖ךְ לִבּ֣וֹ חָסֵ֑ר וְאָמַ֥ר לַכֹּ֖ל סָכָ֥ל הֽוּא׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Yea also, when he that is a foolסָכָלsâkâl · foolH5530
• walkethהָלַךְhâlak · to go: walkH1980
• by the wayדֶּ֫רֶךְderek · way: roadH1870
• his wisdomלֵבlêb · heartH3820
• failethחָסֵרchâsêr · lackingH2638
• and he saithאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 10:3

• Ecclesiastes 5:3If you worry about many things, you will have many dreams. If you talk too much, you will say foolish things.
• Proverbs 13:16Careful people need to understand what they are doing. But a fool quickly shows how foolish he is.
• Proverbs 18:2A fool does not try to understand what is right. He only likes to tell people his own ideas.
• 1 Peter 4:4But now you no longer live in the same wicked way as those people do. They continue to enjoy those wrong things all the time. But you do not join with them. So they insult you.

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 10:3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3When - a fool walketh by the way - In every act of life, and in every company he frequents, the irreligious man shows what he is. Vanity, nonsense, and wickedness are his themes: so that in effect he saith to every one that he is a fool.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3“Way” may be understood either literally (compare Ecclesiastes 10:15), or figuratively, of the course of action which he follows. He saith … - He exposes his folly to every one he meets.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2-3These two proverbs highlight the foolishness of unwise people. They make poor choices, and their actions reveal their lack of wisdom.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. by the way--in his ordinary course; in his simplest acts (Pr 6:12-14). That he "saith," virtually, "that he" himself, &c. [Septuagint]. But Vulgate, "He thinks that every one (else whom he meets) is a fool."Read the comment

Topics related to Ecclesiastes 10:3

• Wisdom

In the dictionaries

• Direct
• Idleness
• Prince
• 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