New English Translation
Ecclesiastes 10:18
18Because of laziness the roof caves in, and because of idle hands the house leaks.
Ecclesiastes 10:18 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.
- New International Version (NIV)Through laziness, the rafters sag; because of idle hands, the house leaks.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Through sloth the roof sinks in, and through indolence the house leaks.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Because of laziness the building decays, And through idleness of hands the house leaks.
Context of Ecclesiastes 10:18
16Woe to you, O land, when your king is childish, and your princes feast in the morning! 17Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobility, and your princes feast at the proper time – with self-control and not in drunkenness. Because of laziness the roof caves in, and because of idle hands the house leaks. 19Feasts are made for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything. 20Do not curse a king even in your thoughts, and do not curse the rich while in your bedroom; for a bird might report what you are thinking, or some winged creature might repeat your words.
Read all of Ecclesiastes 10Ecclesiastes 10:18 word by word
בַּעֲצַלְתַּ֖יִם יִמַּ֣ךְ הַמְּקָרֶ֑ה וּבְשִׁפְל֥וּת יָדַ֖יִם יִדְלֹ֥ף הַבָּֽיִת׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 10:18
- Proverbs 12:24The diligent person will rule, but the slothful will become a slave.
- Proverbs 14:1Every wise woman builds her household, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.
- Proverbs 20:4The sluggard will not plow during the planting season, so at harvest time he looks for the crop but has nothing.
- Proverbs 21:25What the sluggard desires will kill him, for his hands refuse to work.
- Proverbs 23:21because drunkards and gluttons become impoverished, and drowsiness clothes them with rags.
- Proverbs 24:30I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of one who lacks wisdom.
- Hebrews 6:11But we passionately want each of you to demonstrate the same eagerness for the fulfillment of your hope until the end,
- 2 Peter 1:5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith excellence, to excellence, knowledge;
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 10:18
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 18By much slothfulness - This is remarkably the case in some countries. Houses are not repaired till they almost fall about the ears of the inhabitants. We have an adage that applies to all such cases: "A stitch in time saves nine."Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16-20Verses 16-20 Foolish rulers, by their weakness, self-indulgence and sloth, bring decay upon the state: nobleness and temperance insure prosperity: yet the subject must not rebel in word or thought against his king. Ecclesiastes 10:16 A child - Rather, young. The word is applied to Rehoboam 2 Chronicles 13:7 at the time of his accession to the throne, when he was 41 years old. Eat in the morning - A sign of intemperance (compare Isaiah 5:11). Ecclesiastes…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 16-20Verses 16-20 The happiness of a land depends on the character of its rulers. The people cannot be happy when their princes are childish, and lovers of pleasure. Slothfulness is of ill consequence both to private and public affairs. Money, of itself, will neither feed nor clothe, though it answers the occasions of this present life, as what is to be had, may generally be had for money. But the soul, as it is not redeemed, so it is not maintained with…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 18Delaying roof repairs causes rafters to sag and eventually ruins the home (see Proverbs 12:27; 20:4). Government corruption has a similar impact (Ecclesiastes 10:15–16).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1818. building--literally, "the joining of the rafters," namely, the kingdom (Ec 10:16; Is 3:6; Am 9:11). hands--(Ec 4:5; Pr 6:10). droppeth--By neglecting to repair the roof in time, the rain gets through.Read the comment
Topics related to Ecclesiastes 10:18
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
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