Ecclesiastes 10:7
5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:
6 Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.
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.
9 Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.
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
Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
Read in contextEsther 6:8
Let the royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head:
Read in contextProverbs 30:22
For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat;
Read in context