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 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. I have seen another terrible thing that happens on the earth. It happens when a ruler does a silly thing. 6A ruler may give fools too much authority. At the same time, rich people have no authority. 7Slaves ride on horses, as important people do. At the same time, princes have to walk, as slaves do.

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 4:7I thought about something else on the earth that has no purpose.
• Ecclesiastes 5:13I have seen another terrible thing that happens on the earth. Some people may store their riches, but it does not help them in a time of trouble.
• Ecclesiastes 6:1I have seen another terrible thing that happens on the earth. It causes people to have a lot of trouble.
• Ecclesiastes 9:3Finally, the same thing happens to everyone on the earth. That seems to be a terrible thing. People choose to do evil things. While they are alive, they choose to live like fools. And after that, they die.
• Ecclesiastes 3:16I saw something else that happens on the earth. Judges should choose what is right, but instead they choose what is wicked. They should decide what is fair, but they do evil things.
• Ecclesiastes 4:1I saw again all the ways that people are cruel on the earth. I saw some people who were crying because cruel people were hurting them. There was nobody who could help them. Nobody could rescue them from those cruel people.

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