Ecclesiastes 10 11

Ecclesiastes 10:11 kjv

Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.

Ecclesiastes 10:11 nkjv

A serpent may bite when it is not charmed; The babbler is no different.

Ecclesiastes 10:11 niv

If a snake bites before it is charmed, the charmer receives no fee.

Ecclesiastes 10:11 esv

If the serpent bites before it is charmed, there is no advantage to the charmer.

Ecclesiastes 10:11 nlt

If a snake bites before you charm it,
what's the use of being a snake charmer?

Ecclesiastes 10 verses

Ecclesiastes 10 11 Meaning

Ecclesiastes 10:11 states, "If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer." This proverb highlights the critical importance of timely and effective action, skill, and preparation. It conveys that expertise or capability, however great, becomes useless and yields no benefit if it is applied too late or fails to prevent a foreseeable problem. The charmer's skill is nullified if the harm occurs before the skill can be deployed. It is a pragmatic observation on cause, effect, and lost opportunity due to inefficiency or delay.

Ecclesiastes 10 11 Context

Ecclesiastes 10 is part of the Preacher's discourse on wisdom and folly, contrasting their effects on individuals and society. Following observations on random chance (Ecc 9:11-12) and the underestimated power of wisdom (Ecc 9:13-18), chapter 10 shifts focus to practical wisdom versus profound foolishness in daily life, especially in governance and work. Verses 1-3 generally describe how a little folly can spoil much wisdom. Verse 4 deals with how to respond to a ruler's anger, advocating for calmness. Verses 5-7 point out the injustices and absurdities sometimes seen "under the sun," where fools are elevated, and the wise are demoted. Verses 8-10 present a series of short, pithy observations using everyday examples (digging a pit, breaking down a wall, splitting wood, sharpening an axe) to illustrate that tasks require diligence, proper tools, and skill to avoid danger or be effective. Ecclesiastes 10:11 fits this chain of proverbs by applying the principle of timely, effective action to the specific and culturally relevant example of snake charming, emphasizing that failed timing negates even skill. It's an affirmation of applied wisdom as opposed to theoretical knowledge or late action.

Ecclesiastes 10 11 Word analysis

• If (Hebrew: גַּם - gam): While gam often means "also" or "even," here it serves to introduce a conditional clause, akin to "if indeed" or "even if." It sets up a scenario.
• the snake (Hebrew: הַנָּחָשׁ - han•na•ḥāš): From naḥash. The definite article 'the' (ha) refers to a specific type of creature known for its danger and stealth. In ancient Near Eastern culture, snakes were a real threat. Symbolically, a snake in biblical literature (Gen 3) can represent evil, deception, or danger. Here, it is likely literal: a venomous reptile.
• bites (Hebrew: יִשֹּׁךְ - yiš•šōḵ): From the verb nāšak (to bite, sting). It signifies a sudden, harmful, and impactful action by the snake. This act renders the "charming" (control or pacification) irrelevant because the damage is already done.
• before (Hebrew: בְּלֹא - bĕ•lōʼ): This prepositional phrase means "without" or "before there is." It signifies the absence or lack of something occurring prior to the harmful event. It specifically implies a failure of the charm to take effect in advance of the bite.
• it is charmed (Hebrew: לָחַשׁ - lāḥaš): From the verb lāḥash (to whisper, charm, enchant). This refers to the specific art or skill of a snake charmer, involving incantations or manipulative sounds to control a snake. The skill is verbal ("whispering") or subtle. The implication is that the snake was intended to be charmed, but the action was either too late or ineffective.
• there is no profit (Hebrew: אֵין יִתְרוֹן - ʼên yitrōn): ʼên means "there is no/not," and yitrōn is a key word in Ecclesiastes, often translated "profit," "advantage," or "gain." It denotes tangible or lasting benefit derived from effort or activity. Here, its absence highlights the futility of misplaced or delayed effort.
• for the charmer (Hebrew: לְבַעַל הַלָּשׁוֹן - lĕ•ḇa‘al hal•lāšôn): Literally "to the master of the tongue" (ba‘al hallāšôn). A ba‘al (master, possessor) of a specific thing is one who is highly skilled in it. Here, the charmer is described as a "master of the tongue," implying that their power or skill resides in their words, incantations, or ability to communicate with and control the snake. This also subtly ties into the general power and danger of the human tongue often discussed in wisdom literature (e.g., Proverbs, James). The "profit" refers to the charmer's success in preventing harm or achieving their objective (control).

Words-Group Analysis:

• "If the snake bites before it is charmed": This phrase concisely sets up the problem. The order of events is crucial. The charmer's intended control or pacification is rendered pointless if the snake acts first. It emphasizes preemptive action or the timing of preventative measures.
• "there is no profit for the charmer": This directly states the consequence. The skilled charmer, despite their knowledge or ability, gains nothing—their effort is wasted, their purpose unfulfilled. It underscores that capability without opportune application is equivalent to no capability at all in a practical sense. This connects to Ecclesiastes' recurring theme of what truly constitutes "profit" or lasting gain "under the sun."

Ecclesiastes 10 11 Bonus section

This proverb touches upon a wider concept in Ecclesiastes: the Preacher’s often melancholic observation that wisdom does not always guarantee a desired outcome (e.g., Ecc 9:11). Here, however, it offers a pragmatic, rather than cynical, take on wisdom’s conditional effectiveness. It suggests that even the wisest efforts can be undermined by a lack of appropriate timing or action. The "master of the tongue" can be interpreted beyond literal snake charmers, representing anyone whose craft or profession relies on persuasive words, diplomacy, or precise instruction. If a leader, a counselor, or even a witness in court speaks too late, their verbal mastery might be for naught. The verse does not explicitly polemicize against snake charming itself but uses it as a neutral example to highlight a universal principle of practical wisdom: consequences often precede, and thus invalidate, delayed attempts at control or remedy.

Ecclesiastes 10 11 Commentary

Ecclesiastes 10:11 acts as a poignant proverb within Koheleth’s exploration of wisdom’s practical value amidst life’s unpredictable "vanity" (hevel). It's a succinct reminder that knowledge or skill alone is insufficient; timely and effective application is paramount. The image of the snake charmer, a recognized figure in the ancient Near East, makes the wisdom accessible. A charmer's expertise is to prevent the bite. If the bite occurs, the charm (skill, knowledge) has failed its purpose. This applies across many life domains: a well-intentioned warning given too late, a financial skill unused until bankruptcy, or a spiritual truth known but not applied until temptation overcomes. It underscores the concept of preparedness and proactiveness, warning against the futility of reactive measures after damage is done. Wisdom's true "profit" lies not just in possessing it, but in wielding it appropriately and in time.

Examples:

• A student knowing the answer but failing to turn in the assignment on time gains no grade.
• A carpenter having the right tools but not sharpening them before a job faces inefficiency and wasted effort.
• A Christian knowing biblical principles for avoiding temptation, but neglecting daily prayer and Bible study, may fall into sin when spiritual attacks come unawares.