Bible CommentariesE.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible NotesEcclesiastes 10
Verse 1
Dead flies. Hebrew flies of death: i.e. flies that bring or produce death. Supply the Figure of speech Ellipsis, "[as] dead". cause = [are that which will] cause, &c. to send forth a stinking savour = to stink [and] fer-ment. Figure of speech Hendiadys. App-6. folly = stupidity. Hebrew. sakal. Same root as in Ecclesiastes 10:6. See note on Proverbs 1:7. him. Note the Figure of speech Ellipsis (App-6): "So doth stupidity [cause] him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour [to send forth an offensive savour]". wisdom. Hebrew. chakmah. See note on Ecclesiastes 1:2.
Verse 2
fool"s = dullard"s. Hebrew. kesil = fat, inert. Same word as in Ecclesiastes 10:12. See note on Proverbs 1:7.
Verse 3
fool. Hebrew. sakal. Same word as in verses: Ecclesiastes 10:6, Ecclesiastes 10:14, not verses: Ecclesiastes 10:2, Ecclesiastes 10:12, Ecclesiastes 10:15. wisdom = beart. saith = tells. See note on Proverbs 1:7. he = he himself (emph.)
Verse 6
Folly = a great dullard. Hebrew. sakal, as in verses: Ecclesiastes 10:1, Ecclesiastes 10:3, Ecclesiastes 10:3, Ecclesiastes 10:14. in great dignity = in many high positions.
Verse 7
horses. No evidence of a late origin of this book, for we read of them in 1 Kings 4:26, 1 Kings 4:28; 1 Kings 10:26, 1 Kings 10:28; 1 Kings 22:4. 2 Kings 9:33; 2 Kings 14:20. If not in common use, it was because of the Law (Deuteronomy 17:16); and because of Solomon"s disobedience (1 Kings 10:28. 2 Chronicles 1:16, 2 Chronicles 1:17; 2 Chronicles 9:28). upon the earth. See note on Ecclesiastes 5:2.
Verse 8
hedge = a wall built of loose stones without mortar. Hebrew. gader, used especially of sheep-folds (Numbers 32:16, Numbers 32:24, Numbers 32:36; 1 Samuel 24:3). Zephaniah 2:6); also for fencing pathways between the vineyards (Numbers 22:24. Psalms 62:3; Psalms 80:12). The crevices between the loose stones form hiding-places for lizards and other creeping things.
Verse 13
foolishness. Hebrew. sakal, as in verses: Ecclesiastes 10:3, Ecclesiastes 10:6, Ecclesiastes 10:14. madness. See note on Ecclesiastes 1:17.
Verse 15
labour = toil. foolish. Hebrew. kesil, as in Ecclesiastes 10:2 and Ecclesiastes 10:12; not sakal, as in verses: Ecclesiastes 10:3, Ecclesiastes 10:6, Ecclesiastes 10:13, Ecclesiastes 3:14.
Verse 19
wine. Hebrew. yayin. App-27. maketh merry = will gladden life. Compare Psalms 104:15. answereth all things = maketh everything respond [to their requirements]: i.e. will procure both [feast and wine]. See note on Ecclesiastes 5:19, the only two occurrences of "anah in this book.
Verse 20
Curse not the king = Revile not a king. in thy thought = in thy secret thought: i.e. with all thy [acquired] knowledge. Hebrew. madda", a rare word. Occurs only six times. Rendered "thought", here; "knowledge" (2 Chronicles 1:10, 2 Chronicles 1:11, 2 Chronicles 1:12. Daniel 1:17); "science" (Daniel 1:4).
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