King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
Complete Jewish Bible:
He who digs a pit may fall into it; he who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
Berean Standard Bible:
He who digs a pit may fall into it, and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake.
American Standard Version:
He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh through a wall, a serpent shall bite him.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
He that diggeth{H2658} a pit{H1475} shall fall{H5307} into it; and whoso breaketh{H6555} an hedge{H1447}, a serpent{H5175} shall bite{H5391} him.
Cross-References (KJV):
Proverbs 26:27
- ¶ Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
Psalms 7:15
- He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch [which] he made.
Psalms 7:16
- His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.
Esther 7:10
- So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified.
Psalms 9:15
- The heathen are sunk down in the pit [that] they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken.
Psalms 9:16
- The LORD is known [by] the judgment [which] he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.
Amos 5:19
- As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Ecclesiastes 10:8
Ecclesiastes 10:8, "He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him," is a verse that reflects the ancient wisdom tradition, emphasizing the principle of cause and effect, often referred to in theological terms as poetic justice or moral retribution. This proverbial statement encapsulates the idea that one's actions, especially those done with harmful intent, can ultimately lead to one's own downfall.
The imagery of digging a pit and breaking a hedge would have been familiar to the agrarian society of ancient Israel. Pits were commonly dug either for water collection or as traps for animals or enemies, while hedges served as protective barriers around property and crops. The verse suggests that tampering with these can lead to unintended, negative consequences: the pit-digger may accidentally fall into their own trap, and the hedge-breaker might be bitten by a snake that was previously kept out. This reflects the broader theme of the book of Ecclesiastes, which often contemplates the futility of certain human endeavors and the unpredictable nature of life.
Historically, Ecclesiastes is attributed to Solomon, the son of David and the third king of Israel, known for his wisdom. However, the actual authorship and date of composition are subjects of scholarly debate, with some suggesting it was written during the Hellenistic period (332–164 BCE). The book addresses the meaning of life and the best way to live, often through a skeptical lens that questions traditional wisdom.
In summary, Ecclesiastes 10:8 uses vivid metaphors to warn against deceitful or destructive behavior, asserting that such actions often result in self-inflicted harm. It underscores the ancient Near Eastern wisdom tradition's belief in the natural order of consequences and reflects the broader existential themes explored throughout the book of Ecclesiastes.
*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: H2658
There are 21 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָפַר
Transliteration: châphar
Pronunciation: khaw-far'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to pry into; by implication, to delve, to explore; dig, paw, search out, seek. - Strong's Number: H1475
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גּוּמָּץ
Transliteration: gûwmmâts
Pronunciation: goom-mawts'
Description: of uncertain derivation; a pit; pit. - Strong's Number: H5307
There are 403 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָפַל
Transliteration: nâphal
Pronunciation: naw-fal'
Description: a primitive root; to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative); be accepted, cast (down, self, (lots), out), cease, die, divide (by lot), (let) fail, (cause to, let, make, ready to) fall (away, down, -en, -ing), fell(-ing), fugitive, have (inheritance), inferior, be judged (by mistake for פָּלַל), lay (along), (cause to) lie down, light (down), be ([idiom] hast) lost, lying, overthrow, overwhelm, perish, present(-ed, -ing), (make to) rot, slay, smite out, [idiom] surely, throw down. - Strong's Number: H6555
There are 48 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּרַץ
Transliteration: pârats
Pronunciation: paw-rats'
Description: lemma פּרַץ missing vowel, corrected to פָּרַץ; a primitive root; to break out (in many applications, direct and indirect, literal and figurative); [idiom] abroad, (make a) breach, break (away, down, -er, forth, in, up), burst out, come (spread) abroad, compel, disperse, grow, increase, open, press, scatter, urge. - Strong's Number: H1447
There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גָּדֵר
Transliteration: gâdêr
Pronunciation: gaw-dare'
Description: from גָּדַר; a circumvallation; by implication, an inclosure; fence, hedge, wall. - Strong's Number: H5175
There are 28 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָחָשׁ
Transliteration: nâchâsh
Pronunciation: naw-khawsh'
Description: from נָחַשׁ; a snake (from its hiss); serpent. - Strong's Number: H5391
There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָשַׁךְ
Transliteration: nâshak
Pronunciation: naw-shak'
Description: a primitive root; to strike with a sting (as a serpent); figuratively, to oppress with interest on a loan; bite, lend upon usury.