Ecclesiastes 10:6 kjv
Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.
Ecclesiastes 10:6 nkjv
Folly is set in great dignity, While the rich sit in a lowly place.
Ecclesiastes 10:6 niv
Fools are put in many high positions, while the rich occupy the low ones.
Ecclesiastes 10:6 esv
folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place.
Ecclesiastes 10:6 nlt
when they give great authority to foolish people and low positions to people of proven worth.
Ecclesiastes 10 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 14:1 | "The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one..." | Contrast of wise vs. foolish outcomes. |
| Prov 19:10 | "It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury—how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!" | Absurdity of the unfit ruling the noble. |
| Prov 26:1 | "Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool." | Unnaturalness of foolish receiving honor. |
| Eccl 9:16 | "Wisdom is better than strength, though the poor man's wisdom is despised..." | Wise but humble/poor being disregarded. |
| Isa 3:4-5 | "I will make boys their officials; children will govern them... The young will rise up against the old, the despised against the honored." | Societal breakdown, unfit leadership elevated. |
| Lam 5:8 | "Slaves rule over us; there is no one to rescue us from their hands." | Political and social inversion due to sin. |
| 1 Sam 2:7-8 | "The Lord sends poverty and gives wealth; he humbles and he exalts... He seats them with princes..." | God's ultimate sovereignty over status. |
| Job 12:21 | "He pours contempt on nobles and disarms the mighty." | God's power to humble the exalted. |
| Psa 75:6-7 | "No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt themselves. It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another." | God as the sole true arbiter of status. |
| Matt 23:12 | "For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." | Jesus' teaching on divine reversal. |
| Luke 1:52-53 | "He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty." | Mary's song on God's just reversal. |
| Jas 1:9-10 | "The brother or sister of humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in their humiliation..." | Spiritual reversal of worldly status. |
| Jas 2:5 | "Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith...?" | Divine valuation overrides worldly status. |
| 1 Cor 1:26-29 | "Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential... But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise..." | God's method of shaming worldly wisdom. |
| Phil 2:8-9 | "...he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death... Therefore God exalted him to the highest place..." | Christ as the ultimate example of divine exaltation through humility. |
| Prov 16:18 | "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." | Folly's eventual downfall despite temporary exaltation. |
| Psa 73:6 | "Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence." | The wicked often rise in arrogance. |
| Deut 16:19 | "Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent." | Warning against corruption that creates such imbalances. |
| Isa 1:23 | "Your rulers are rebels, companions of thieves; they all love bribes..." | Corrupt leadership contributing to misplacement. |
| Jer 22:15-16 | "Does it make you a king to have more... He did what was right and just... but you have eyes and heart only for dishonest gain..." | Unjust rulers prioritize self-interest over proper governance. |
| Micah 3:1-3 | "Listen, you leaders... you hate good and love evil; you tear the skin from my people..." | Condemnation of unjust leaders oppressing the righteous. |
| Rom 1:22 | "Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools..." | Humanity's descent into folly despite claiming wisdom. |
| Prov 11:2 | "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." | Folly leading to disgrace, in contrast to wisdom's path. |
| Gal 5:7-8 | "You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you." | Folly's influence hindering spiritual progress, applicable to perverse leadership. |
Ecclesiastes 10 verses
Ecclesiastes 10 6 Meaning
Ecclesiastes 10:6 observes a distressing perversion of justice and order in the world: that foolish and unqualified individuals are elevated to positions of great honor and authority, while those who are truly capable, wise, or of significant standing are relegated to low, insignificant, or dishonorable places. The Preacher highlights this absurdity as one of the vexing realities "under the sun," contributing to the futility he frequently laments. It underscores the unpredictable and often unjust nature of human affairs, where merit is not always rewarded, and unworthiness often gains ascendancy.
Ecclesiastes 10 6 Context
Ecclesiastes 10 forms part of Qoheleth's observations on the complexities and frustrations of life "under the sun." This chapter, specifically from verse 5 onwards, addresses the detrimental effects of folly and a lack of wisdom, particularly concerning those in positions of authority or influence. The verse fits within a larger lament over the common occurrence of injustice, administrative incompetence, and social disorder that stems from the poor exercise of leadership. It highlights the perplexing truth that divine order and justice are often obscured by the practical realities of a fallen world, where merit does not guarantee appropriate placement, and vice versa.
Ecclesiastes 10 6 Word analysis
- Folly: The Hebrew term Sikhlut (סִכְלוּת) refers not merely to a lack of intelligence but to active foolishness, spiritual dullness, or moral perversity. It implies actions and decisions born of ignorance or stubborn rejection of wisdom. It stands in direct contrast to chokhmah (wisdom).
- is set: The verb signifies placement or positioning. It implies that this is an established reality, an unfortunate fixture within human systems.
- in great dignity: The Hebrew for "great dignity" uses marom rabbah (מָרוֹם רַבָּה) meaning "in great heights" or "great elevations." This denotes a highly exalted position, immense honor, or significant power and authority.
- and the rich: The term 'ashirim (עֲשִׁירִים), meaning "the rich" or "the wealthy," often carries a connotation beyond mere material possessions in wisdom literature. It can refer to those of substance, capability, wisdom, or inherent worth who, by virtue of their true value, should occupy positions of honor. It highlights an unmerited reversal.
- sit in low place: The Hebrew phrase bashshafel yeshevu (בַּשָּׁפֶל יֵשֵׁבוּ) means "they sit in low/humble/debased place." It denotes a position of insignificance, dishonor, or even humiliation, completely unbefitting their potential or true merit.
Words-Group Analysis:
- Folly is set in great dignity: This phrase powerfully expresses the tragic misplacement of authority. It speaks to a world where those unqualified, and whose actions may even cause harm, are elevated and honored. This happens in civil governance, administration, or any hierarchy, leading to poor judgment and destructive outcomes.
- and the rich sit in low place: This describes the inverse tragedy. Those who possess true wisdom, discernment, competence, or who are deserving of respect and influence, are marginalized. This can be due to societal corruption, personal bias, or merely the capricious nature of human favor, leaving valuable assets underutilized and potential leaders sidelined.
Ecclesiastes 10 6 Bonus section
The observation in Ecclesiastes 10:6 reflects a perennial challenge for human societies and governance throughout history. It can arise from various factors: the pursuit of personal gain over public good, the blindness of corrupt leaders who promote like-minded individuals, or a societal value system that prioritizes superficial qualities (e.g., flattery, wealth, social connections) over true wisdom and competence. This perversion is a specific manifestation of the general injustice Qoheleth sees, demonstrating that the natural or deserved outcomes based on merit are often disrupted in this temporal life. This observation also underscores the limits of human wisdom in always discerning and installing righteous leadership, thereby pointing implicitly to the necessity of divine intervention or the enduring nature of true wisdom which eventually triumphs, often not in this worldly scene but in the broader redemptive plan.
Ecclesiastes 10 6 Commentary
Ecclesiastes 10:6 vividly paints a picture of a world turned upside down. It is a profound lament from the Preacher on the moral chaos and practical inefficiency that arises when human systems do not reflect a righteous order. The elevation of folly (manifesting as incompetence, moral deficiency, or superficiality) to positions of power ensures poor decisions and instability. Conversely, the debasement of the 'rich' (those truly wise, competent, or worthy) means that society forfeits the very qualities it needs to flourish. This observation serves to highlight the vexation of life "under the sun" – a world often devoid of apparent justice or logical consequence. While not directly stating a divine command, it implicitly condemns such a state as contrary to wisdom and the natural order God intended. This reality compels us to look beyond immediate circumstances for ultimate justice and reminds us that true wisdom, though often overlooked by man, retains its eternal value in the sight of God.
- Example: A nation where experienced, honest politicians are sidelined for charismatic, inexperienced demagogues.
- Example: A company where merit is ignored, and promotion goes to those who flatter or navigate office politics, rather than those with actual skill.