Ecclesiastes 10 20

Ecclesiastes 10:20 kjv

Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.

Ecclesiastes 10:20 nkjv

Do not curse the king, even in your thought; Do not curse the rich, even in your bedroom; For a bird of the air may carry your voice, And a bird in flight may tell the matter.

Ecclesiastes 10:20 niv

Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird in the sky may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say.

Ecclesiastes 10:20 esv

Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king, nor in your bedroom curse the rich, for a bird of the air will carry your voice, or some winged creature tell the matter.

Ecclesiastes 10:20 nlt

Never make light of the king, even in your thoughts.
And don't make fun of the powerful, even in your own bedroom.
For a little bird might deliver your message
and tell them what you said.

Ecclesiastes 10 verses

Ecclesiastes 10 20 Meaning

Ecclesiastes 10:20 serves as a powerful proverb cautioning against disrespect, even in private thought or concealed words, towards those in authority or wealth. It teaches that one's private sentiments, if malicious or disrespectful, have a mysterious way of being revealed, leading to potential retribution. The verse underscores the importance of discretion, acknowledging that nothing, not even thoughts harbored in the most secluded places, is truly hidden and without consequence in God's ordered world. It advises prudent conduct and reverence for established power to avoid unforeseen negative repercussions.

Ecclesiastes 10 20 Context

Ecclesiastes, written by "Koheleth" (the Preacher), explores life "under the sun"—human experience apart from direct divine revelation, focusing on the transient nature of earthly pursuits and the often-perplexing realities of existence. Chapter 10 specifically deals with wisdom and folly in practical life, particularly concerning leaders and their subjects. It contrasts wise and foolish actions, often highlighting the unexpected consequences that stem from a lack of discretion or integrity. Verse 20 fits within this theme, offering counsel on maintaining personal safety and societal peace by prudently managing one's internal and external conduct, especially concerning those in positions of power. The verse warns against underestimating the potential for private dissent to be discovered and its associated dangers in a hierarchical society.

Ecclesiastes 10 20 Word analysis

• Do not revile: The Hebrew word qālal (קלל) means to curse, to treat with contempt, to make light of, or to bring into disrepute. It signifies expressing strong disapproval, often with malediction, that diminishes or degrades the object. It implies an act of scorn or disrespect that undermines authority.
• the king: Hebrew melek (מֶלֶךְ). This refers to the sovereign or ruler, representing governmental authority and power. In ancient societies, kings held immense power, and showing disrespect, even covertly, could have severe consequences.
• even in your thoughts: Hebrew bəmadde‘āk̠ā (בְמַדָּעֲךָ), derived from the root yada (to know). This phrase literally means "in your knowledge" or "in your mind." It's profound because it extends the prohibition beyond spoken words to the inner realm of intentions, private reflections, and even subconscious disapproval. It implies that thoughts, though seemingly hidden, are not beyond detection or consequence in this divine scheme.
• or curse the rich: The Hebrew ‘āshîr (עָשִׁיר) means "wealthy" or "affluent." This broadens the scope from governmental authority to those with significant social and economic influence. Cursing the rich could imply resentment or wishing them ill, reflecting social tension.
• in your bedroom: The Hebrew bəḥadrê mishkāvékā (בַּחֲדְרֵי מִשְׁכָּבֶךָ) literally means "in the rooms of your lying down," referring to one's most private chamber, typically the place where one sleeps and considers oneself utterly secure and hidden. This emphasizes the extreme privacy being contemplated, underscoring that even the deepest secrets are not truly safe.
• for a bird of the air: The Hebrew sîr haššāmayim (צוּף הַשָּׁמַיִם), more accurately ‘ōf haššāmayim (עוֹף הַשָּׁמַיִם). This is a proverbial and metaphorical expression. It does not refer to literal birds acting as spies. Instead, it signifies that information can be disseminated through mysterious, unforeseen, or inexplicable means. It points to the unpredictability of how hidden things become known.
• will carry your words: Conveys the idea of information being transported from its private origin to a public domain, revealing what was intended to be secret.
• and a winged creature: The Hebrew ba‘al kĕnāpayim (בַּעַל כְּנָפַיִם) means "master of wings" or "winged one." This phrase uses synonymous parallelism, reinforcing the idea of a creature that flies, serving as an enigmatic agent of disclosure.
• will report what you say: Literally, "will announce a matter." It means the private sentiment or statement will be openly communicated or revealed.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom": This powerful command addresses both verbal and internal forms of disrespect towards powerful figures. It suggests that such negative sentiments, even if unvoiced to human ears, have repercussions. The inclusion of "thoughts" and "bedroom" highlights the surprising extent to which the world or God's judgment operates, seeing beyond physical actions and words. It advises utmost caution.
• "for a bird of the air will carry your words, and a winged creature will report what you say": This well-known ancient proverb serves as the rationale for the preceding command. It uses vivid imagery to convey the idea that secrets, especially harmful ones, are often exposed by unexpected channels. It speaks to an underlying order in the world where private animosity, particularly against the powerful, will mysteriously come to light, bringing unintended and negative consequences.

Ecclesiastes 10 20 Bonus section

The metaphor of birds revealing secrets was a common proverbial trope in the ancient Near East and Hellenistic cultures, reflecting a shared understanding that privacy is often illusory. Koheleth uses this widespread wisdom to warn against the pervasive reach of intelligence or the unpredictable nature of how information travels in society, particularly regarding potentially subversive thoughts against powerful entities. While the immediate consequence envisioned might be earthly retribution from the offended king or rich person, from a broader biblical perspective, the verse resonates with the truth that all hidden things and thoughts are ultimately known to God, who judges every deed. This adds a theological dimension beyond mere socio-political prudence. The Preacher is providing counsel for successful living "under the sun" (in the realm of human experience), and this involves understanding that discretion is not just about avoiding immediate detection but about acknowledging that secrecy is often a temporary state.

Ecclesiastes 10 20 Commentary

Ecclesiastes 10:20 provides practical wisdom for navigating life in a complex, often perilous world where authority figures wield significant power. Koheleth urges extreme caution and discretion, emphasizing that even private thoughts and whispered curses against a king or the wealthy are not immune from discovery. The vivid imagery of "birds of the air" is a metaphor, signifying that information can leak out through unforeseen or seemingly inexplicable means, not necessarily by literal birds. It could refer to informants, spies, misjudged trust, or simply the pervasive nature of reality that allows hidden things to come to light. The Preacher's point is not about literal surveillance, but about the pervasive and unpredictable consequences that can stem from private disrespect. The underlying message is one of prudence: behave with wisdom, restraint, and respect towards those in power, not necessarily because they deserve it, but because the alternative could lead to one's ruin. Ultimately, it touches upon a divine order where nothing is truly hidden from God's sight, and therefore, our inner disposition should align with outer wisdom to avoid conflict and promote well-being. This wisdom encourages not just outward conformity but also a mindful inner life.