King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Blessed [art] thou, O land, when thy king [is] the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
Complete Jewish Bible:
Happy are you, land, when your king is well-born, and your princes eat at the proper time, in order to stay strong, not to get drunk!
Berean Standard Bible:
Blessed are you, O land whose king is a son of nobles, and whose princes feast at the proper time— for strength and not for drunkenness.
American Standard Version:
Happy art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Blessed{H835} art thou, O land{H776}, when thy king{H4428} is the son{H1121} of nobles{H2715}, and thy princes{H8269} eat{H398} in due season{H6256}, for strength{H1369}, and not for drunkenness{H8358}!
Cross-References (KJV):
Proverbs 31:4
- [It is] not for kings, O Lemuel, [it is] not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
Proverbs 31:5
- Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
Jeremiah 30:21
- And their nobles shall be of themselves, and their governor shall proceed from the midst of them; and I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach unto me: for who [is] this that engaged his heart to approach unto me? saith the LORD.
Deuteronomy 14:26
- And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household,
Proverbs 28:2
- ¶ For the transgression of a land many [are] the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding [and] knowledge the state [thereof] shall be prolonged.
Proverbs 28:3
- ¶ A poor man that oppresseth the poor [is like] a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
Isaiah 5:11
- Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, [that] they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, [till] wine inflame them!
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Ecclesiastes 10:17
Ecclesiastes 10:17 reflects the wisdom literature tradition of the Hebrew Bible, which often comments on the nature of life and governance under the guidance of divine wisdom. The verse speaks to the ideal qualities of leadership within ancient Israelite society, emphasizing the stability and prosperity that come when a nation is ruled by a king who is the "son of nobles," suggesting a lineage of rulers known for their integrity and wisdom. The mention of "nobles" implies a ruling class that is expected to uphold certain virtues and govern justly.
The latter part of the verse highlights the temperance and discipline of the princes, who are to eat for "strength" and not indulge in "drunkenness." This reflects the value placed on moderation and self-control, virtues that were highly esteemed in the cultural and historical context of the time. In the broader context of Ecclesiastes, which grapples with the meaning of life and the best way to live, this verse underscores the importance of wise and temperate leadership for the well-being of a nation.
Historically, this verse would resonate with the experiences of the Israelite people, who were often led by kings and princes. The ideal of a ruler who embodies wisdom and self-restraint would have been a poignant reminder of the consequences of leadership—good or bad—on the prosperity and moral fabric of society. The verse serves as a piece of advice, perhaps aspiring to influence the selection of leaders or to encourage existing leaders to govern with prudence and righteousness, ensuring the stability and blessing of the land they rule.
*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: H835
There are 266 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶשֶׁר
Transliteration: ʼesher
Pronunciation: eh'-sher
Description: from אָשַׁר; happiness; only in masculine plural construction as interjection, how happy!; blessed, happy. - Strong's Number: H776
There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶרֶץ
Transliteration: ʼerets
Pronunciation: eh'-rets
Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. - Strong's Number: H4428
There are 1922 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מֶלֶךְ
Transliteration: melek
Pronunciation: meh'-lek
Description: from מָלַךְ; a king; king, royal. - Strong's Number: H1121
There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֵּן
Transliteration: bên
Pronunciation: bane
Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. - Strong's Number: H2715
There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חֹר
Transliteration: chôr
Pronunciation: khore
Description: or (fully) חוֹר; from חָרַר; (compare חֹרִי); properly, white or pure (from the cleansing or shining power of fire; hence (figuratively) noble (in rank); noble. - Strong's Number: H8269
There are 368 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שַׂר
Transliteration: sar
Pronunciation: sar
Description: from שָׂרַר; a head person (of any rank or class); captain (that had rule), chief (captain), general, governor, keeper, lord,(-task-)master, prince(-ipal), ruler, steward. - Strong's Number: H398
There are 825 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָכַל
Transliteration: ʼâkal
Pronunciation: aw-kal'
Description: a primitive root; to eat (literally or figuratively); [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. - Strong's Number: H6256
There are 258 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֵת
Transliteration: ʻêth
Pronunciation: ayth
Description: from עַד; time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc.; [phrase] after, (al-) ways, [idiom] certain, [phrase] continually, [phrase] evening, long, (due) season, so (long) as, (even-, evening-, noon-) tide, (meal-), what) time, when. - Strong's Number: H1369
There are 61 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גְּבוּרָה
Transliteration: gᵉbûwrâh
Pronunciation: gheb-oo-raw'
Description: feminine passive participle from the same as גִּבּוֹר; force (literally or figuratively); by implication, valor, victory; force, mastery, might, mighty (act, power), power, strength. - Strong's Number: H8358
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שְׁתִי
Transliteration: shᵉthîy
Pronunciation: sheth-ee'
Description: from שָׁתָה; intoxicaion; drunkenness.