Seventh-day Adventist Bible CommentaryEcclesiastes 10

Dead flies. Literally, “flies of death,” that is, flies about to die. Oriental lands are particularly distressed by multitudes of flies and other insect pests. If, at death, a number of them should fall into the perfumed lotion of the perfumer and decompose there, the lotion would be spoiled. Apothecary. Rather, “perfumer,” literally, “mixer,” or “compounder.” To send forth a stinking savour. Literally, “to stink,” or “to ferment,” “to bubble.”

A little folly. The last part of the verse reads, literally, “more weighty than wisdom and honor is a little folly.” Just one act of folly may ruin a good reputation. A life spent circumspectly may end in ruin as the result of a single foolish deed.

Ellen G. White

A wise man’s heart. The statement reads, literally, “The heart [mind] of a wise person [is] at his right.” The right side was considered the side of favor, honor, and success (see Ps. 16:8, 11; 110:5; Matt. 25:31–34; see on Gen. 35:18; Luke 1:11). At his left. The left side was regarded as the side of evil and misfortune. In some Oriental countries today the left hand is regarded as unclean. The figure here teaches that the unwise man’s thoughts and plans are weak, impracticable, not thought through, and that they lead, accordingly, to misfortune and disappointment.

Walketh by the way. That is, when he goes about his business, mingling with other men. His wisdom faileth. He manifests a lack of ordinary intelligence and common sense. He saith to every one. His lack of judgment, reflected in his words and actions, proclaims him a fool, and he in turn thinks others are fools.

Spirit. Heb. ruach, “breath” (see on Num. 5:14). Here it refers to one’s temper, or disposition of the mind. In Judges 8:3 ruach is translated “anger.” Leave not thy place. Do not resign your post of duty. Hasty action taken in a spirit of retaliation reflects emotional instability and a lack of sound judgment; furthermore, the person who takes such action is generally affected adversely. It is better to endure the temporary displeasure of a superior. Yielding pacifieth. Better, “gentleness sets aside,” that is, it forestalls greater exhibitions of anger on the part of the ruler.

An error. An unwise, autocratic ruler, a despotic administrator, is prone to make errors of judgment. The more power he has, the more widespread are the unfortunate results of these mistakes. When a prince surrounds himself with unscrupulous favorites, whose only purpose is to flatter, his errors of judgment and conduct will multiply.

Dignity. In the affairs of the world the folly of fools is sometimes exalted as wisdom and followed to national disaster. Low place. Men who by birth and station in life are natural leaders, ready to serve their country from motives of loyalty, are often ignored and set aside.

Servants upon horses. In the time of Solomon only the privileged rode upon horses or mules (2 Sam. 18:9; 1 Kings 1:38; 2 Chron. 25:28; Esther 6:8; Jer. 17:25); men of lower degree used asses for this purpose. In early Israelite history even kings and princes rode on asses or mules (Judges 5:10; 10:4; cf. 1 Kings 1:33). Princes walking. That is, men of high rank being treated with indignity.

Diggeth a pit. See Ps. 7:15; 57:6; Prov. 26:27. The statement may refer either to one who plots a conspiracy against the government or to one who plans mischief against a fellow man. An hedge. Better, “a wall” (see Num. 22:24; Ezra 9:9; Isa. 5:5; Eze. 42:7; Hosea 2:6; Micah 7:11). A serpent. Crevices in the rough walls in Eastern countries, built without mortar, afford excellent hiding places for such creatures as snakes and scorpions (see Amos 5:19).

Removeth. The Hebrew verb in the form here used means “to quarry,” or “to hew out,” that is, to lift a hewn stone out of its place in the wall of the quarry. Considerable

danger was involved in such work carried on by primitive methods. In 1 Kings 5:17 the words “they brought” are from the same verb. On the basis of Deut. 19:14 some commentators refer this expression to the removal of boundary stones. Cleaveth wood. See Deut. 19:5. Here is a parallel to the preceding statement about one who quarries stone. Presumably Solomon is not speaking of cutting firewood, which is not particularly dangerous, but of felling trees.

Iron. That is, the head of an ax (see 2 Kings 6:5). Whet. Literally, “move rapidly,” as in sharpening the edge of the ax. The Hebrew word thus translated appears in Jer. 4:24 as “moved lightly.” Wisdom is profitable. Adequate preparation for any undertaking results in a better piece of work, accomplished with less effort. Skillful preparation often makes the difference between success and failure. The Christian should seek and make use of the finest tools of spiritual craftsmanship for the task of character construction. Effort alone is insufficient; there must be knowledge as well as zeal (see Rom. 10:2).

Without enchantment. Or, “before it is charmed” (RSV). The meaning is that if the snake bites the snake charmer before he has charmed it, there is no profit from any ability he may have as a charmer. A babbler is no better. Literally, “there is no advantage to the owner of the tongue.” The phrase “owner of the tongue,” here translated “babbler,” refers specifically to the snake charmer. Snake charming was apparently done by uttering sibilant, hissing whispers.

Gracious. That is, acceptable to the hearers (see Ps. 45:2; Prov. 22:11; Luke 4:22). Winsome words are always pleasing. Swallow up himself. That is, be the cause of his own undoing, of bringing him to shame (see Prov. 10:8, 21; 18:7; 29:9).

Foolishness. The fool opens his mouth and speaks without thinking of what he says, and so utters nothing but folly (see Prov. 15:2; 17:12; Isa. 32:6). The end. By the time he finishes speaking the fool has made statements that are nothing but nonsense.

Is full. Literally, “multiplies.” He babbles about anything and everything, with no knowledge of the topics on which he speaks (see 1 Tim. 1:7). A man. That is, one who hears the fool discoursing. It is often difficult to understand, not only what the fool means, but even what he says. In all probability the more foolish a man is, the more he will be inclined to make dogmatic statements in regard to the deepest mysteries.

Wearieth every one. Literally, “wearieth him,” that is, each individual fool wearies himself. Knoweth not. The fool is so simple that if sent to town on an errand, he will sit down by the roadside, forgetful of his errand, and find himself lost (see Prov. 10:26; 26:6; Eccl. 4:5). The highway to the city, presumably, was clearly marked, so that none but a fool could miss it (see Isa. 35:8).

Thy king. Literally, “young man.” The emphasis is on youthfulness, an age that is often marked by lack of thought and good sense (see Isa. 3:4). Eat in the morning. These “princes” spend time in revelry and debauchery that should be given to duties of state (see Isa. 5:11; Jer. 21:12).

Ellen G. White

Nobles. Men of good birth and breeding, therefore, presumably, of excellent character and conduct. The word may be translated either “freemen” or “nobles.” Eat in due season. At the proper time, when the day’s duties have been attended to. For strength. According to physical need, not for the sake of indulging appetite, or primarily as a social activity. Drunkenness. Self-indulgence tends to moral and physical deterioration. Men in high position should set an exalted standard of conduct for themselves, and as an example for others.

Slothfulness. The dual form of the Hebrew word stresses intensity. The root is found also in Prov. 6:6; 10:26; 20:4; 24:30; 26:13. Droppeth through. Literally, “leaks.” The flat roofs of Oriental houses need constant attention. Leaking roofs are commonplace (see Prov. 19:13; 27:15). Similarly, neglect by responsible people will bring a country to ruin.

A feast. Literally, “bread,” or “food.” Maketh merry. Literally, “maketh life glad” (see Ps. 104:15).

Money. Money will procure for its owner almost anything of a material nature. 20. Curse not. An admonition to carefulness in thought and expression. It is generally dangerous to make strong statements about other people, particularly against those in authority (see Ex. 22:28). A bird. A proverbial expression found in most languages, and varying only in form from one to another. That which hath wings. Literally, “the owner of wings.”