Ecclesiastes 10:7

Ecclesiastes 10:7 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.
• New International Version (NIV)I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.
• New King James Version (NKJV)I have seen servants on horses, While princes walk on the ground like servants.
• New Living Translation (NLT)I have even seen servants riding horseback like princes—and princes walking like servants!

Context of Ecclesiastes 10:7

5There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were an error proceeding from the ruler: 6folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place. I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking on the ground like slaves. 8He who digs a pit will fall into it, and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall. 9He who quarries stones is hurt by them, and he who splits logs is endangered by them.

Ecclesiastes 10:7 word by word

רָאִ֥יתִי עֲבָדִ֖ים עַל־סוּסִ֑ים וְשָׂרִ֛ים הֹלְכִ֥ים כַּעֲבָדִ֖ים עַל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• I have seenרָאָהrâ'âh · to see: seeH7200
• servantsעֶ֫בֶד‛ebed · servant/slaveH5650
• upon horsesסוּסsûs sûs · horseH5483
• and princesשַׂרώar · rulerH8269
• walkingהָלַךְhâlak · to go: walkH1980
• upon the earthאֶ֫רֶץ'erets · land: soilH776

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 10:7

• Proverbs 19:10It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury, much less for a slave to rule over princes.
• Proverbs 30:22a slave when he becomes king, and a fool when he is filled with food;

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 10:7

• 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. 7slaves on horseback...princes go on foot: Compare Proverbs 19:10.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 77. servants upon horses--the worthless exalted to dignity (Jr 17:25); and vice versa (2Sa 15:30).Read the comment

Topics related to Ecclesiastes 10:7

• Rulers

In the dictionaries

• Direct
• Idleness
• Prince
• Eunuch
• 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