Browse Ecclesiastes 10 Commentary | TheBibleSays.com (2024)

FAQs

What is the main point of Ecclesiastes 10? ›

This chapter treats of the difference between wisdom and folly; and of the preferableness of the one, to the other, especially in civil government: folly is compared to a dead or deadly fly; a little of which as much hurts a wise man's reputation, as that does the most precious ointment, Ec 10:1.

He notes that if the serpent bites before being charmed, there is no profit for the charmer. In this example, a snake charmer has secured his cobra but apparently didn't invest in training the snake before putting him into service. So instead of gaining a profit, he got bit.

The Preacher's statement that "money answers everything" (Eccl. 10:19) is a simple practical observation that wealth is a tool that can meet the need for food, clothing, shelter, and so on. We should not take his words as endorsing the idea that absolutely every issue one can think of can be solved with money.

The book reveals the necessity of fearing God in a fallen and frequently confusing and frustrating world. Humans seek lasting significance, but no matter how great their accomplishments, humans are unable to achieve the lasting significance they desire.

Ecclesiastes shows us in stunning ways that the key to life is not in life itself. Pleasure, materialism, wisdom, and money are all futile and folly. True happiness comes from centering our lives on God, not ourselves.

Ecclesiastes teaches us how to live for God and not just for ourselves. This book gives us some of the basic principles we need to build a God-centered worldview, like the goodness of creation and our own absolute dependence on the Creator.

Snake Bite in a Dream: Spiritual Meaning

Some common themes of snake bite dreams may resonate across traditions, such as a call to overcome spiritual challenges, recognize unseen danger, embrace inevitable transformation, or release attachments to material or harmful relationships impeding growth.

The ouroboros or oroboros is an ancient symbol of a serpent or dragon eating its own tail. The ouroboros is a symbol of an everlasting cycle or a cycle of life, death, and rebirth. The ouroboros symbolizes eternity or cyclicality.

Owing to their lethality, snakes have often been associated with images of perfidy, treachery and death. However, snakes did not always have such negative connotations. The curative capacity of venom has been known since antiquity, also making the snake a symbol of pharmacy and medicine.

A little foolishness can poison a lot of wisdom. Wisdom requires making choices to act in ways that avoid emotional reactions. A small corrupting agent (dead flies) can spoil a large amount of something pleasant (make a perfumer's oil stink). In the same manner, a little foolishness can negate wisdom and honor.

What does Ecclesiastes 10 verse 2 mean? ›

In this verse, the writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us that both wisdom and folly start at the same place. They both begin in the heart.

The officials make a feast for enjoyment [instead of repairing what is broken], and serve wine to make life merry, and money is the answer to everything.

Ecclesiastes 12:1: "Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, 'I have no pleasure in them. '" Ecclesiastes 12:13: "The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man."

Ultimately, the great truth of Ecclesiastes lies in the acknowledgment of God's ever-present hand on our lives. Even when injustice and uncertainty threaten to overwhelm us, we can trust Him and follow after Him (12:13–14).

The book of Ecclesiastes is a powerful reflection on life, death, and the human condition. It reminds us that life is fleeting and that all human efforts to find meaning and purpose apart from God are ultimately in vain and meaningless.

Wise people know there is danger out there and are careful. Verse 10 says, “If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen its edge, then one must exert more strength; however, the advantage of wisdom is that it brings success.” Work smarter not harder. Some people work twice as hard and see half the results.

The message of Ecclesiastes is that life is not worth living unless we live it for God. The major theme of the book of Ecclesiastes is the vanity of life without God, and the beauty of an eternity with God. Ecclesiastes 1:2–4 (ESV): 2 Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities!

When the Scripture speaks about the right hand or the right arm, it is referencing what it means to know God. For instance, in the Psalms, David sings: The Lord says to my lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet (Psalm 110:1). The same is true for the heart of the wise.