Ecclesiastes 10:7
5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun— an error that proceeds from the ruler:
6 Folly is appointed to great heights, but the rich sit in lowly positions.
I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.
8 He who digs a pit may fall into it, and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake.
9 The one who quarries stones may be injured by them, and he who splits logs endangers himself.
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
- I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.
- KJV
- I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.
- WEB
- I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking like servants on the earth.
- ASV
- I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking like servants upon the earth.
- DARBY
- I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.
- BLB
- I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking like slaves on the earth.
- ÅB
- Jeg har sett tjenere ride på hester og fyrster gå til fots som tjenere.
- OTB
- Jeg har sett tjenere ri på hester, mens fyrster går til fots som tjenere.
- B1930
- Jeg har sett tjenere ride på hester og fyrster gå til fots som tjenere.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Proverbs 19:10
Luxury is unseemly for a fool— how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!
Read in contextEsther 6:8
have them bring a royal robe that the king himself has worn and a horse on which the king himself has ridden—one with a royal crest placed on its head.
Read in contextProverbs 30:22
a servant who becomes king, a fool who is filled with food,
Read in context