Ecclesiastes 10 8

Ecclesiastes 10:8 kjv

He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.

Ecclesiastes 10:8 nkjv

He who digs a pit will fall into it, And whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a serpent.

Ecclesiastes 10:8 niv

Whoever digs a pit may fall into it; whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.

Ecclesiastes 10:8 esv

He who digs a pit will fall into it, and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall.

Ecclesiastes 10:8 nlt

When you dig a well,
you might fall in.
When you demolish an old wall,
you could be bitten by a snake.

Ecclesiastes 10 verses

Ecclesiastes 10 8 Meaning

Ecclesiastes 10:8 conveys a fundamental principle of cause and effect, illustrating that actions, especially those intended to harm or those undertaken recklessly, inevitably rebound upon the perpetrator. It is a cautionary proverb highlighting the inherent dangers and negative consequences that naturally arise from foolish or malicious deeds. The verse suggests that those who destabilize order or set traps for others will ultimately become victims of their own actions or the ensuing chaos.

Ecclesiastes 10 8 Context

Ecclesiastes chapter 10 is a collection of various proverbs and observations contrasting wisdom and folly, the unpredictable nature of life, and the consequences of actions, particularly those of rulers and those in positions of power. It warns against folly and promotes diligent and prudent conduct. The chapter highlights how a little folly can spoil much wisdom, and how foolish decisions can lead to societal instability. This particular verse (10:8) serves as a vivid illustration of the boomerang effect of actions, aligning with the Koheleth’s realistic observations about life's challenges and the inherent risks of both work and ill-conceived schemes. It reinforces the idea that an ordered world, governed by God's providence, naturally brings forth consequences for destructive behavior, often affecting the perpetrator directly. The "pit" and "wall" scenarios likely refer to common experiences or metaphors in ancient agricultural and communal life, emphasizing that even seemingly minor or common actions can have severe, unintended repercussions when performed with wrong intent or recklessness.

Ecclesiastes 10 8 Word analysis

• Whoever digs a pit (חוֹפֵר בּוֹר - ḥōphēr bōr):
  • חוֹפֵר (ḥōphēr): From the verb ḥāphar, meaning "to dig, to search, to bore." It implies an intentional, effortful action.
  • בּוֹר (bōr): Refers to a "pit," "cistern," or "dungeon." In a proverbial context, it frequently denotes a trap, a snare, or a grave. The act of digging a pit often implies an intent to trap an animal or a person, or perhaps to destabilize an area for malevolent purposes. Its significance lies in representing an action with harmful intent or an ill-conceived, risky endeavor.
• will fall into it (יִפֹּל בּוֹ - yippōl bō):
  • יִפֹּל (yippōl): From the verb nāphal, "to fall, to fail, to perish." This is the direct, inevitable consequence.
  • בּוֹ (bō): "Into it," referring back to the pit. This phrase denotes the inescapable consequence, the direct reversal of intention where the harm intended for another is inflicted upon the digger themselves.
• and whoever breaks through a wall (וּפֹרֵץ גָּדֵר - uphōrēṣ gādēr):
  • וּ (u): "And," connecting this proverb to the previous one, showing a similar principle.
  • פֹּרֵץ (pōrēṣ): From the verb pāraṣ, meaning "to break through, to burst forth, to make a breach." This action signifies destruction, transgression of boundaries, or violent entry.
  • גָּדֵר (gādēr): Refers to a "wall," "hedge," "fence," or "enclosure." Walls serve as protective barriers, property delineations, or security structures. Breaking through one implies disrespect for boundaries, a disruptive act, or possibly an act of theft or trespass. Its significance highlights an assault on order or property.
• will be bitten by a snake (יִשְּׁכֶנּוּ נָחָשׁ - yishkhēnnu nāḥāsh):
  • יִשְּׁכֶנּוּ (yishkhēnnu): From the verb nāshakh, "to bite, to sting." The suffix nu indicates "him," thus "it will bite him."
  • נָחָשׁ (nāḥāsh): "Snake" or "serpent." Ancient walls, especially dry-stone or mud-brick structures, were common habitats for snakes seeking warmth or shelter. Disturbing such a wall naturally stirs up the dangers lurking within. This imagery is vivid; the danger is not a direct result of breaking the wall (like falling into a pit), but an unforeseen but probable consequence arising from disturbing an established, protective structure. It emphasizes hidden dangers in lawless or disruptive acts.

Words-group analysis:

• "Whoever digs a pit will fall into it": This is a direct expression of lex talionis (law of retaliation) or "poetic justice." The intended harm boomerang directly onto the perpetrator. This action implies a deliberate setup or scheme aimed at entrapping or causing detriment to someone else. The "fall" indicates failure and suffering the very fate prepared for others.
• "and whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a snake": This second clause expands the principle from direct retribution to the idea of unforeseen but natural consequences. Breaking a wall, whether for illicit entry or wanton destruction, is a disruptive act. Snakes in walls are a known hazard. Thus, disturbing order or engaging in destructive acts, even without directly intending to harm oneself, can unleash latent dangers or negative outcomes that lie within the disrupted environment. It implies that tampering with established boundaries or protective structures can lead to painful, unexpected retribution from forces lurking within that disturbed order.

Ecclesiastes 10 8 Bonus section

The Koheleth's observations in Ecclesiastes, including this verse, often describe cause-and-effect relationships within the earthly realm, rather than solely direct divine intervention, though divine ordering underlies all. This distinguishes Ecclesiastes' practical wisdom from more explicitly theological pronouncements found elsewhere in Scripture. The emphasis is on natural, inherent consequences arising from the nature of the act itself, showing that folly contains its own seeds of destruction. This verse forms part of a series (including verse 9 about quarreling stones and splitting logs) that broadly cautions about the inherent risks associated with all endeavors, whether destructive or constructive, stressing that awareness of these dangers is crucial for wise living. It reflects an underlying belief that the world is generally ordered such that harmful actions tend to rebound on the doer, serving as a subtle warning against societal breakdown through irresponsible individual acts.

Ecclesiastes 10 8 Commentary

Ecclesiastes 10:8 stands as a profound proverb that observes the operational consequences in life, often seen as God's general providence ensuring a degree of cosmic justice. It asserts that malicious or reckless actions naturally generate their own punitive outcomes for the doer. The first part, "Whoever digs a pit will fall into it," depicts a direct and immediate retribution: the trap-setter becomes the trapped. This scenario strongly resonates with the numerous biblical warnings against plotting evil for others, emphasizing that such schemes invariably ensnare the plotter themselves. It's a clear statement on the reciprocity of evil intentions.

The second part, "and whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a snake," offers a slightly different, yet equally potent, illustration. Breaking a wall signifies transgression, either against property rights, established order, or general stability. Unlike falling into one's own pit, being bitten by a snake upon breaking a wall is an indirect consequence—an inherent, hidden danger of disturbing something foundational. It highlights that disrupting protective boundaries or societal norms can expose one to unexpected and harmful repercussions that lurk within the disorder created. The snake here serves as a potent symbol of hidden, unpredictable danger that retaliates against the transgressor. Together, these two parallel clauses underline Koheleth’s realistic wisdom: actions, especially those born of ill-intent or carelessness, do not occur in a vacuum but initiate a chain of events that often culminate in personal harm to the instigator. This applies across various aspects of life, from physical labor to ethical conduct and governance, underscoring the importance of prudence and integrity to avoid self-inflicted misery.

Practical examples:

• A person who spreads malicious gossip to damage another's reputation often finds their own credibility questioned and trust diminished in the community.
• One who manipulates financial systems for personal gain may eventually face legal repercussions, ruin, or lose all their ill-gotten wealth.
• Leaders who sow discord or dismantle foundational societal structures may provoke chaos that eventually engulfs their own position and peace.