Ecclesiastes 10 1

Ecclesiastes 10:1 kjv

Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.

Ecclesiastes 10:1 nkjv

Dead flies putrefy the perfumer's ointment, And cause it to give off a foul odor; So does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor.

Ecclesiastes 10:1 niv

As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

Ecclesiastes 10:1 esv

Dead flies make the perfumer's ointment give off a stench; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

Ecclesiastes 10:1 nlt

As dead flies cause even a bottle of perfume to stink,
so a little foolishness spoils great wisdom and honor.

Ecclesiastes 10 verses

Ecclesiastes 10 1 Meaning

Dead flies, though insignificant individually, spoil a valuable and fragrant perfumer's ointment, rendering it repulsive and useless. In the same way, even a small act of foolishness, a minor indiscretion, or a momentary lapse in judgment, can profoundly diminish, overshadow, and nullify a person's reputation for wisdom and honor, bringing disrepute and ruining their good standing. The verse highlights the disproportionate and destructive power of seemingly small flaws when contrasted with great achievements or esteemed character.

Ecclesiastes 10 1 Context

Ecclesiastes 10:1 stands as an opening proverb in a chapter that continues Koheleth's observations on the complexities of life, particularly concerning wisdom and folly, rulers and subjects. Throughout Ecclesiastes, the Preacher explores the "vanity" or "meaninglessness" of life "under the sun," grappling with the apparent contradictions and injustices of the world. This specific verse, therefore, fits into the larger thematic tapestry by illustrating one such irony: that even great wisdom and honor, painstakingly acquired, can be easily undermined by a relatively small act of foolishness. It follows earlier reflections on the superiority of wisdom but also its vulnerability, setting the stage for discussions on leadership, discernment, and the consequences of moral and intellectual choices within the social structure. The ancient Near Eastern culture placed high value on reputation, and the imagery of spoiled perfumed oil would have immediately resonated as a grave loss.

Ecclesiastes 10 1 Word analysis

• Dead flies (זְבוּבֵי מָוֶת - zevuvim mavet):
  • `zevuvim` (זְבוּבִים): "Flies." Small, numerous, insignificant creatures.
  • `mavet` (מָוֶת): "Death," "dead." The emphasis is not merely on flies but dead flies, implying decay, corruption, and the onset of putrefaction.
  • Significance: These are not just annoying insects, but decaying matter. They symbolize small, seemingly minor indiscretions, errors, or acts of foolishness. The very triviality of flies highlights the disproportionate impact.
• cause... to stink and putrefy (יַבְאִישׁ - yav'ish):
  • This single Hebrew verb encompasses both "make to stink" and "putrefy" or "ferment" or "spoil." It indicates a process of decay that renders something repulsive and unusable.
  • Significance: The verb strongly conveys complete ruin, not just a minor annoyance. The once pleasant and valuable item becomes repugnant and worthless. It reflects the severe degradation of reputation and value.
• the ointment of the perfumer (שֶׁמֶן רוֹקֵחַ - shemen rokeach):
  • `shemen` (שֶׁמֶן): "Oil," specifically fine, aromatic oil, or ointment.
  • `rokeach` (רוֹקֵחַ): "Perfumer," or "mixer of spices." The oil is professionally crafted and valuable.
  • Significance: Precious, costly, and highly esteemed. It symbolizes a good name, high status, accumulated wisdom, and public honor—things that take effort and time to build and are greatly valued in society. The smell of this oil was its essence and value.
• so a little foolishness (כְּבַעֲרוּת פָּתוֹ - kevar'ut pato):
  • `ke` (כְּ): "As," "like" – drawing a direct comparison to the preceding analogy.
  • `var'ut` (בַּעֲרוּת): "Folly," "foolishness," "brutishness." It speaks to a lack of wisdom or discernment, sometimes implying moral stupidity.
  • `pato` (פָּתוֹ): Implies "of little, of small" or "ignorance/naivety." Some interpretations render "a little foolishness," highlighting the minimal nature of the offense, making the damage seem more ironic.
  • Significance: The quantity of foolishness is emphasized as small. This "little" folly can be a single act, an unwise word, a moment of recklessness, or a seemingly insignificant moral compromise.
• is weightier than wisdom and honor (יָקִיר מִכָּבֵד חָכְמָה מִכָּבוֹד - yakir mikkaved chochmah miq'day kabod):
  • `yakir` (יָקִיר): "To cause to become weighty," "to become dear/precious," but here, often understood in context as "to make odious," "to lessen," or "to damage reputation." It suggests an overpowering or corroding effect. Some scholars propose it could mean "outweighs" in a negative sense, i.e., its effect is greater. Others translate it as "make a great reputation stink."
  • `chochmah` (חָכְמָה): "Wisdom," practical insight and discernment.
  • `kabod` (כָּבוֹד): "Honor," "glory," "reputation."
  • Significance: The foolishness doesn't just coexist; it dominates or negates the wisdom and honor. It reduces their efficacy, dims their light, or causes them to be viewed negatively. It highlights the extreme fragility of an established good name against even minor character flaws or lapses.

• Dead flies ... perfumer's ointment: This striking simile is easily understood and universally applicable. It graphically illustrates the concept that a minor flaw can ruin something valuable entirely, creating repugnance from something designed to be fragrant and pleasing.
• a little foolishness is weightier than wisdom and honor: This is the application of the simile. It suggests an inverse relationship where a small negative has more impact than a large positive. The moral is a stern warning: maintaining wisdom and honor requires vigilance over even seemingly insignificant behaviors and choices. It emphasizes the vulnerability of reputation.

Ecclesiastes 10 1 Bonus section

This proverb serves as a powerful deterrent, especially relevant to leaders or individuals in positions of high visibility and influence. It implies that wisdom is not merely an internal state but also demands consistent, outwardly blameless action to be perceived as authentic. The Hebrew concept of "honor" (kabod) is closely tied to public standing and reputation, underscoring why its loss through "foolishness" is so detrimental. The choice of "flies" (zevuvim) also suggests persistence and annoyance – small, everyday nuisances that, when ignored, lead to significant decay. This teaching resonates across various ethical frameworks within the Bible, emphasizing that integrity is holistic; a breach in one area affects the whole. It is a cautionary principle teaching that good character must be meticulously guarded, for its destruction is far easier than its creation.

Ecclesiastes 10 1 Commentary

Ecclesiastes 10:1 vividly underscores the fragility of reputation and the profound, disproportionate damage that even a small act of folly can inflict upon an otherwise esteemed life. The imagery of putrid, spoiled ointment from a few dead flies paints a picture of complete ruin from an almost insignificant source. A lifetime of accumulated wisdom, integrity, and honor can be tarnished or even annihilated by a single, foolish mistake, a careless word, or a momentary moral lapse. This verse serves as a crucial warning to those who possess influence or stand as exemplars, reminding them that the eyes of the world are critically observing, and minor missteps can swiftly dismantle credibility and public trust, nullifying the value of their virtues in the estimation of others. It urges vigilance and discernment in all actions, highlighting the destructive power of human folly.

• Example: A celebrated scholar known for their profound knowledge might lose respect and influence if caught in a small but public act of plagiarism.
• Example: A respected spiritual leader, whose ministry impacts many, could have their entire work compromised by one moral failure that becomes known.