King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: [so doth] a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom [and] honour.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Just as dead flies make perfumed oil stink, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
Berean Standard Bible:
As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
American Standard Version:
Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to send forth an evil odor; so doth a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Dead{H4194} flies{H2070} cause the ointment{H8081} of the apothecary{H7543} to send forth{H5042} a stinking savour{H887}: so doth a little{H4592} folly{H5531} him that is in reputation{H3368} for wisdom{H2451} and honour{H3519}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Matthew 5:13
- ¶ Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Matthew 5:16
- Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Galatians 2:12
- For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.
Galatians 2:14
- But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before [them] all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
Nehemiah 13:26
- Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin.
2 Chronicles 19:2
- And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore [is] wrath upon thee from before the LORD.
Exodus 30:25
- And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil.
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Commentary for Ecclesiastes 10:1
Ecclesiastes 10:1 is a verse from the Wisdom Literature of the Hebrew Bible, traditionally attributed to Solomon, the King of Israel. The book of Ecclesiastes reflects on the meaning of life and the best way to live, often with a tone of skepticism about the value of human achievements. This particular verse uses a vivid metaphor to convey its message.
The historical context of Ecclesiastes is thought to be the Hellenistic period, after the Babylonian Exile, when Jewish thinkers were grappling with questions of theodicy, the meaning of life, and the nature of wisdom. The verse reflects the wisdom tradition's interest in practical insights and the observation of life's ironies and contradictions.
In the verse, the "dead flies" that spoil the "ointment of the apothecary" symbolize how a small amount of corruption or foolishness can undermine or negate the value of something otherwise excellent or reputable. The "ointment of the apothecary" refers to a valuable perfume or medicinal salve, which would have been carefully prepared and highly prized. The fact that something as small and insignificant as a dead fly can ruin such a concoction illustrates the disproportionate impact that a minor negative element can have.
The second part of the verse extends the metaphor to human reputation and honor. It suggests that a person renowned for wisdom and honor can be quickly discredited by even a small act of folly. This speaks to the fragility of human achievement and reputation, emphasizing that wisdom and honor are not permanent states but require constant vigilance to maintain.
In summary, Ecclesiastes 10:1 uses a powerful sensory image to teach that negligence or a single misstep can have far-reaching consequences, spoiling what is otherwise valuable and esteemed. It serves as a cautionary reminder to guard against complacency and to remain aware of the potential for small errors to cause significant damage, both in craftsmanship and in personal conduct.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H4194
There are 155 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מָוֶת
Transliteration: mâveth
Pronunciation: maw'-veth
Description: from מוּת; death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin; (be) dead(-ly), death, die(-d). - Strong's Number: H2070
There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: זְבוּב
Transliteration: zᵉbûwb
Pronunciation: zeb-oob'
Description: from an unused root (meaning to flit); a fly (especially one of a stinging nature); fly. - Strong's Number: H8081
There are 176 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֶׁמֶן
Transliteration: shemen
Pronunciation: sheh'-men
Description: from שָׁמַן; grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness; anointing, [idiom] fat (things), [idiom] fruitful, oil(-ed), ointment, olive, [phrase] pine. - Strong's Number: H7543
There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָקַח
Transliteration: râqach
Pronunciation: raw-kakh'
Description: a primitive root; to perfume; apothecary, compound, make (ointment), prepare, spice. - Strong's Number: H5042
There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָבַע
Transliteration: nâbaʻ
Pronunciation: naw-bah'
Description: a primitive root; to gush forth; figuratively, to utter (good or bad words); specifically, to emit (a foul odor); belch out, flowing, pour out, send forth, utter (abundantly). - Strong's Number: H887
There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָּאַשׁ
Transliteration: bâʼash
Pronunciation: baw-ash'
Description: a primitive root; to smell bad; figuratively, to be offensive morally; (make to) be abhorred (had in abomination, loathsome, odious), (cause a, make to) stink(-ing savour), [idiom] utterly. - Strong's Number: H4592
There are 92 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מְעַט
Transliteration: mᵉʻaṭ
Pronunciation: meh-at'
Description: or מְעָט; from מָעַט; a little or few (often adverbial or compar.); almost (some, very) few(-er, -est), lightly, little (while), (very) small (matter, thing), some, soon, [idiom] very. - Strong's Number: H5531
There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: סִכְלוּת
Transliteration: çiklûwth
Pronunciation: sik-looth'
Description: or שִׂכְלוּת; (Ecclesiastes 1:17), from סָכַל; silliness; folly, foolishness. - Strong's Number: H3368
There are 36 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָקָר
Transliteration: yâqâr
Pronunciation: yaw-kawr'
Description: from יָקַר; valuable (objectively or subjectively); brightness, clear, costly, excellent, fat, honourable women, precious, reputation. - Strong's Number: H2451
There are 141 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חׇכְמָה
Transliteration: chokmâh
Pronunciation: khok-maw'
Description: from חָכַם; wisdom (in a good sense); skilful, wisdom, wisely, wit. - Strong's Number: H3519
There are 189 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כָּבוֹד
Transliteration: kâbôwd
Pronunciation: kaw-bode'
Description: rarely כָּבֹד; from כָּבַד; properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness; glorious(-ly), glory, honour(-able).