Ecclesiastes 10 18

Ecclesiastes 10:18 kjv

By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.

Ecclesiastes 10:18 nkjv

Because of laziness the building decays, And through idleness of hands the house leaks.

Ecclesiastes 10:18 niv

Through laziness, the rafters sag; because of idle hands, the house leaks.

Ecclesiastes 10:18 esv

Through sloth the roof sinks in, and through indolence the house leaks.

Ecclesiastes 10:18 nlt

Laziness leads to a sagging roof;
idleness leads to a leaky house.

Ecclesiastes 10 verses

Ecclesiastes 10 18 Meaning

This verse highlights the destructive consequences of severe idleness and neglect. It asserts that passive inaction and persistent laziness lead to the gradual decay and ultimate ruin of a physical structure, like a building or a house. Metaphorically, this wisdom principle extends beyond literal construction to encompass one's character, spiritual life, relationships, and any area requiring diligent effort and upkeep to thrive. It teaches that continuous neglect, rather than sudden catastrophic events, often brings about decline.

Ecclesiastes 10 18 Context

Ecclesiastes 10 is part of Qoheleth's broader discourse on wisdom and folly, the unpredictable nature of life, and the consequences of human actions under the sun. This chapter particularly emphasizes the pervasive effects of folly, especially on those in leadership, and contrasts them with the beneficial outcomes of wisdom. Verse 18 directly follows observations about the folly of the rich and rulers (Eccl 10:16-17) who feast at improper times. It shifts to a specific consequence of folly: the tangible decay resulting from passive neglect, paralleling moral or societal decline that may stem from indolent leadership or a lazy populace. The verse encapsulates a universal truth observed in creation, linking effort (or lack thereof) directly to maintenance and preservation.

Ecclesiastes 10 18 Word analysis

• By much slothfulness (בַּעֲצַלְתַּ֖יִם - baʿǎṣal·ta·yim): This refers to habitual laziness, idleness, or negligence. The form suggests a state of chronic indolence or dual slothfulness, possibly emphasizing an intensified or sustained lack of effort. It denotes a deliberate inactivity when work is needed, contributing to decay. In biblical thought, sloth is a grave practical folly leading to want and ruin, directly opposite to diligence which brings blessing.
• the building (הַמֶּצְלָ֥ע - hamməṣ·lāʿ): Refers to a constructed edifice or structure, literally a "rafter" or "roof timber" but taken collectively for the entire building. It signifies something built with effort and representing an investment, emphasizing that even well-built structures decay without upkeep.
• decayeth (יִמָּ֑ךְ - yimmāḵ): Means to sink, fall into ruin, or become rotten. This word emphasizes a gradual deterioration, a slow but inevitable process of decline that results from neglect rather than a sudden collapse. It depicts decay as an internal process fostered by abandonment.
• and through idleness (וּבְשִׁפְל֥וּת - ūvəšip̄·lūṯ): This word implies "lowness," "degradation," or "slackness." It points to a lack of energy, application, or elevation. It goes beyond mere resting to suggest hands that are constantly drooping or failing to engage in necessary work.
• of the hands (יָדַ֖יִם - yāḏa·yim): Emphasizes that this idleness is specifically manifested in the practical work that should be performed by hands. Hands are tools of action, work, and stewardship; their idleness implies a complete lack of productive activity or maintenance. This phrase vividly paints a picture of a lack of physical effort.
• the house (הַבַּ֖יִת - hab·bayiṯ): Refers to a dwelling, a family home. Often symbolizes a person's life, family, or spiritual foundation. The inclusion of "house" alongside "building" (implied through "rafter") creates a comprehensive picture of structural decline.
• droppeth through (יִדְלֹֽף - yiḏlōp̄): Means to leak, drip. Primarily refers to a leaky roof, where water slowly but persistently enters and damages the interior. This is a powerful image of sustained neglect causing pervasive and deepening damage. A leaky roof might seem minor, but left unaddressed, it undermines the integrity of the entire structure.
• Words-group by words-group analysis:
  • "By much slothfulness the building decayeth": This initial parallel links the overarching state of extreme laziness with the resultant collapse of a major structure. It highlights a general, pervasive lack of diligence leading to profound degradation. The "decayeth" suggests a rotting from within or sinking into disrepair.
  • "and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through": This second parallel narrows the focus from a general state of sloth to the specific action (or rather, inaction) of "idle hands." The consequence here, "droppeth through," emphasizes a more insidious, continuous damage, like a persistent leak. It underscores that it's the specific failure to perform necessary physical upkeep that allows slow destruction to take hold. The parallelism uses a synonymous parallelism, reinforcing the message of how continuous lack of attention leads to ruin, from the visible external structure to the internal insidious damage.

Ecclesiastes 10 18 Bonus section

The phrase "much slothfulness" (ʿaṣal·ta·yim) in Hebrew carries a dual form, sometimes interpreted as indicating not just general laziness, but possibly great or prolonged laziness, emphasizing the extent of the negligence. The Hebrew for "idleness of the hands" (šiflut yadayim) can be rendered as "lowness of hands," picturing hands that hang down, unable or unwilling to work, denoting a state of chronic enervation or despondency. This verse highlights the economic principle observed by God through Qoheleth: there is a direct correlation between diligent labor and the preservation of assets, whether material or spiritual. It also implies that while active folly brings direct destruction, passive neglect brings a more insidious decay, often unnoticed until it is far advanced, making it perhaps more dangerous to the undiscerning eye.

Ecclesiastes 10 18 Commentary

Ecclesiastes 10:18 serves as a potent warning from Qoheleth, demonstrating that passive neglect can be as ruinous, if not more so, than active destruction. The double imagery of a decaying building and a leaking house vividly illustrates the slow, insidious nature of decline when essential maintenance is abandoned. It’s not a sudden calamity but a gradual erosion, where a foundation weakens or a persistent drip compromises integrity. This principle transcends physical structures to embody a profound spiritual truth: spiritual "houses" or "buildings"—like one's relationship with God, one's character, one's family, or one's church community—require continuous diligent upkeep. A lack of prayer, scripture engagement, fellowship, or service is like a neglected rafter or a forgotten hole in the roof, slowly but surely inviting spiritual rot and damage. The wise person understands that sustained diligence, even in seemingly minor tasks, prevents monumental ruin. It calls for active stewardship and vigilance, lest one's "house" falls into disrepair from sheer disengagement. For example, a "spiritual building" like a church fellowship might decay if its members neglect their calling to love and serve each other. A "house" of personal integrity can "leak" if small moral compromises are allowed to persist unchecked.