Ecclesiastes 10:5 kjv
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:
Ecclesiastes 10:5 nkjv
There is an evil I have seen under the sun, As an error proceeding from the ruler:
Ecclesiastes 10:5 niv
There is an evil I have seen under the sun, the sort of error that arises from a ruler:
Ecclesiastes 10:5 esv
There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were an error proceeding from the ruler:
Ecclesiastes 10:5 nlt
There is another evil I have seen under the sun. Kings and rulers make a grave mistake
Ecclesiastes 10 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rulers' Folly/Injustice | ||
| Prov 28:12 | "When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, people hide themselves." | Good rule brings openness, bad rule concealment. |
| Prov 29:2 | "When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when a wicked man rules, the people groan." | Direct contrast between just and wicked rule. |
| Prov 29:4 | "By justice a king builds up the land, but a man who exacts gifts overthrows it." | Just leadership leads to stability; corrupt to ruin. |
| Prov 29:12 | "If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will be wicked." | Ruler's integrity affects the whole government. |
| Isa 3:4-5 | "And I will make boys their officials, and babes shall rule over them... people shall oppress each other..." | Consequences of incompetent or unrighteous rulers. |
| Isa 5:23 | "...who acquit the guilty for a bribe, and deprive the innocent of his right!" | Corrupt rulers pervert justice for personal gain. |
| Micah 3:9-11 | "...its rulers give judgment for a bribe... and its prophets practice divination for money..." | Leaders valuing profit over justice. |
| Amos 5:7 | "O you who turn justice to wormwood and cast righteousness to the ground!" | Judgment against those who pervert justice. |
| Ps 12:8 | "On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among the children of man." | Folly and wickedness elevated in society. |
| Matt 23:1-4 | "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat... They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders..." | Religious leaders who exploit and burden others. |
| God's Sovereignty over Rulers | ||
| Prov 21:1 | "The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will." | God is ultimately sovereign over all rulers. |
| Dan 2:21 | "He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings..." | God establishes and removes human authorities. |
| Dan 4:17 | "...that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the humblest of men." | Divine sovereignty over earthly rulers. |
| Rom 13:1 | "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God..." | God institutes governing authorities. |
| Wisdom vs. Folly | ||
| Ecc 2:13-14 | "Then I saw that wisdom excels folly as light excels darkness... the fool walks in darkness..." | Direct contrast of outcomes from wisdom and folly. |
| Ecc 7:11-12 | "Wisdom is good with an inheritance, an advantage to those who see the sun... wisdom preserves the life of him who has it." | Wisdom provides protection and advantage. |
| Ecc 9:13-18 | Account of a poor wise man saving a city, yet his wisdom is forgotten. | The limited power and appreciation of wisdom "under the sun." |
| Prov 8:15-16 | "By me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just... all the princes, and all who govern justly." | Wisdom's role in just governance. |
| Prov 11:2 | "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom." | Humility and wisdom linked to positive outcomes. |
| General Human Depravity/Problematic World | ||
| Rom 3:10-12 | "None is righteous, no, not one... No one does good, not even one." | General fallen nature applies even to leaders. |
| 1 Jn 5:19 | "We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one." | The world system under satanic influence. |
| Gal 1:4 | "...who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age..." | Christ's redemption from the pervasive evil of this age. |
Ecclesiastes 10 verses
Ecclesiastes 10 5 Meaning
The verse describes an observation by the Preacher: a grave misfortune or moral perversion, described as "evil," is common in human affairs "under the sun." This "evil" is specifically identified as emanating from or caused by a ruler, taking the form of what appears to be an error or unintentional mistake. This seemingly benign origin belies its detrimental impact, highlighting the subtle yet destructive nature of misrule.
Ecclesiastes 10 5 Context
Ecclesiastes 10 focuses on the contrast between wisdom and folly, particularly as they relate to human conduct and governance. Following reflections on wisdom's fragility and limited impact in chapters 8-9, chapter 10:5-7 specifically describes an anomaly within the societal structure: an "evil" rooted in the leadership. This verse sets the stage for Kohelet’s subsequent observations (v. 6-7) of the "folly" when incompetent or foolish individuals are exalted to high positions, while those worthy of honor and wisdom are abased. The overall "under the sun" motif of Ecclesiastes provides the framework for these observations, presenting a perspective on life's inconsistencies and injustices as experienced in the earthly realm, distinct from God's ultimate divine order.
Ecclesiastes 10 5 Word analysis
- There is: Implies a concrete, observable reality, an established condition, not a hypothetical scenario.
- An evil (רָעָה - ra'ah): This Hebrew term is broad, encompassing moral wickedness, calamity, disaster, trouble, or anything bad, harmful, or morally wrong. Here, it refers to a grave societal or moral ill.
- Which I have seen (רָאִיתִי - ra'iti): Emphasizes Kohelet’s personal empirical observation and experience, underscoring the authenticity of the problem.
- Under the sun (תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ - tachat ha-shemesh): A signature phrase in Ecclesiastes, delineating the sphere of observation to human existence on earth, with its limitations, frustrations, and frequently baffling injustices. It denotes an earthly, non-divine perspective.
- Like an error (כִּשְׁגָגָה - k'sh'gagah): This suggests an oversight, an unintentional mistake, or inadvertence. In context, it often implies a seeming mistake that either leads to disproportionate harm or serves as a pretext for deeper issues of incompetence, poor judgment, or even masked corruption on the part of the ruler.
- Proceeds from the ruler (מִפְּנֵי הַשַּׁלִּיט - mip'nei ha-shalliṭ): Pinpoints the source of the "evil" as directly or indirectly originating from the person in authority (shalliṭ - one with dominion or power). It emphasizes the ruler's responsibility for the state of affairs within their dominion.
Words-group analysis
- "An evil which I have seen under the sun": This phrase frames the problem as a recurring, observable phenomenon in the earthly realm. It highlights the universality and consistent nature of this particular injustice or detrimental situation that troubles the observer. It's a statement about a fundamental flaw within the human systems encountered in daily life.
- "Like an error which proceeds from the ruler": This critical clause defines the specific nature and origin of the "evil." It's not a general misfortune but one linked directly to governance. The "error" aspect introduces ambiguity – is it a genuine, but catastrophic, mistake, or a deliberate misdirection masked as an error to conceal incompetence or injustice? Regardless, the ruler's actions or inactions are the immediate cause.
Ecclesiastes 10 5 Bonus section
This verse serves as a crucial transition point in Ecclesiastes 10. Following it, the Preacher provides vivid examples (vv. 6-7) of this "error," detailing how folly is set in high places while wisdom remains in low, humble positions. This illustrates the inversion of natural and rightful order. The observation critiques any system where merit and capability are overlooked in favor of personal connections or the arbitrary will of the powerful, leading to widespread societal dysfunction and sorrow.
Ecclesiastes 10 5 Commentary
Ecclesiastes 10:5 reveals a significant social ill: injustice or detriment stemming from those in power. The "evil" observed by Kohelet is not a random misfortune but specifically arises "like an error" from a ruler. This could imply a genuine lack of judgment leading to dire consequences, or a clever facade—a corrupt act presented as an unfortunate oversight. The profound irony is that authority, intended for order and justice, instead precipitates disorder and wrong. This verse highlights the profound impact of leadership quality on societal well-being and underlines the limitations and frustrations of human governance without divine guidance, an enduring theme "under the sun."