Ecclesiastes 10:6

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.

Complete Jewish Bible:

fools are promoted to high positions, while the rich occupy humble places.

Berean Standard Bible:

Folly is appointed to great heights, but the rich sit in lowly positions.

American Standard Version:

folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Folly^{H5529} is set^{H5414} in great^{H7227} dignity^{H4791}, and the rich^{H6223} sit^{H3427} in low place^{H8216}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Ecclesiastes 10:6

Ecclesiastes 10:6, "Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place," is a verse from the wisdom literature of the Hebrew Bible, attributed to the authorship of Qoheleth, often identified as Solomon. This book is known for its philosophical reflections on the meaning of life, the nature of wisdom, and the human condition. The verse reflects on the topsy-turvy nature of life, where conventional expectations are often subverted.

In the historical context, the Book of Ecclesiastes is thought to have been written during the Hellenistic period, possibly in the 3rd or 2nd century BCE, although it presents itself as the teachings of an ancient Israelite king. During this time, Jewish society was grappling with the influences of Greek culture and philosophy, which brought new perspectives on wealth, power, and social status.

The themes of Ecclesiastes 10:6 touch on the ironies and absurdities of life. The verse suggests that sometimes those who are foolish are given high social status ("great dignity"), while the wealthy may find themselves in humiliating circumstances ("sit in low place"). This paradox highlights the unpredictability of life and questions the reliability of outward appearances as indicators of true wisdom or worth. The verse challenges the reader to consider that life's outcomes are not always just or logical, and that the values of the world are often transient and unreliable. It serves as a caution against placing too much trust in wealth or social status, and it underscores the book's broader message about the vanity of human pursuits apart from fearing God and keeping His commandments.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H5529
   There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: סֶכֶל
   Transliteration: çekel
   Pronunciation: seh'-kal
   Description: from סָכַל; silliness; concretely and collectively, dolts; folly.
   
2. Strong's Number: H5414
   There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָתַן
   Transliteration: nâthan
   Pronunciation: naw-than'
   Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield.
   
3. Strong's Number: H7227
   There are 439 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רַב
   Transliteration: rab
   Pronunciation: rab
   Description: by contracted from רָבַב; abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality); (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold, things, a time), (ship-)master, mighty, more, (too, very) much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous, populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent).
   
4. Strong's Number: H4791
   There are 52 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מָרוֹם
   Transliteration: mârôwm
   Pronunciation: maw-rome'
   Description: from רוּם; altitude, i.e. concretely (an elevated place), abstractly (elevation, figuratively (elation), or adverbially (aloft); (far) above, dignity, haughty, height, (most, on) high (one, place), loftily, upward.
   
5. Strong's Number: H6223
   There are 23 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָשִׁיר
   Transliteration: ʻâshîyr
   Pronunciation: aw-sheer'
   Description: from עָשַׁר; rich, whether literal or figurative (noble); rich (man).
   
6. Strong's Number: H3427
   There are 980 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָשַׁב
   Transliteration: yâshab
   Pronunciation: yaw-shab'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry; (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry.
   
7. Strong's Number: H8216
   There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שֶׁפֶל
   Transliteration: shephel
   Pronunciation: shay'-fel
   Description: from שָׁפֵל; an humble rank; low estate (place).