Ecclesiastes 10:6
4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.
5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:
Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.
7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.
8 He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- Folly is appointed to great heights, but the rich sit in lowly positions.
- KJV
- Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.
- WEB
- Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place.
- ASV
- folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place.
- DARBY
- folly is set in great dignities, but the rich sit in a low place.
- BLB
- He has set a fool in many high places, and the rich ones sit in the lowly place.
- ÅB
- Dårskapen sitter i høye stillinger, mens fornemme folk må sitte lavt.
- OTB
- Dårskap er plassert i mange høye posisjoner, mens de rike sitter på ydmyke steder.
- B1930
- Dårskapen sitter i høie stillinger, mens fornemme folk må sitte lavt.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Proverbs 28:12
When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.
Read in contextProverbs 29:2
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
Read in contextEsther 3:1
After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him.
Read in contextPsalms 12:8
The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.
Read in context1 Kings 12:13–14
And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men’s counsel that they gave him;
Read in contextProverbs 28:28
When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.
Read in contextJudges 9:14–20
Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us.
Read in contextJames 2:3–5
And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
Read in context