God’s Word Translation
Ecclesiastes 10:3
3Even when a fool goes walking, he has no sense and shows everyone else that he’s a fool.
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
1Dead flies will make a bottle of perfume stink, and then it is spoiled. A little foolishness outweighs wisdom ⌞and⌟ honor. 2A wise person’s heart leads the right way. The heart of a fool leads the wrong way. Even when a fool goes walking, he has no sense and shows everyone else that he’s a fool. 4If a ruler becomes angry with you, don’t resign your position. If you remain calm, you can make up for serious offenses. 5There is a tragedy that I’ve seen under the sun, an error often made by rulers.
Read all of Ecclesiastes 10Ecclesiastes 10:3 word by word
וְגַם־בַּדֶּ֛רֶךְ כְּשֶׁסָּכָ֥ל הֹלֵ֖ךְ לִבּ֣וֹ חָסֵ֑ר וְאָמַ֥ר לַכֹּ֖ל סָכָ֥ל הֽוּא׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 10:3
- Ecclesiastes 5:3Daydreaming comes when there are too many worries. Careless speaking comes when there are too many words.
- Proverbs 13:16Any sensible person acts with knowledge, but a fool displays stupidity.
- Proverbs 18:2A fool does not find joy in understanding but only in expressing his own opinion.
- 1 Peter 4:4Unbelievers insult you now because they are surprised that you no longer join them in the same excesses of wild living.
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
In the dictionaries
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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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