King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
Complete Jewish Bible:
It isn't fitting for a fool to live in luxury, and even less for a slave to govern princes.
Berean Standard Bible:
Luxury is unseemly for a fool— how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!
American Standard Version:
Delicate living is not seemly for a fool; Much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Delight{H8588} is not seemly{H5000} for a fool{H3684}; much less for a servant{H5650} to have rule{H4910} over princes{H8269}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Proverbs 30:21
- For three [things] the earth is disquieted, and for four [which] it cannot bear:
Proverbs 30:22
- For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat;
Proverbs 26:1
- ¶ As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
1 Samuel 25:36
- ¶ And Abigail came to Nabal; and, behold, he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king; and Nabal's heart [was] merry within him, for he [was] very drunken: wherefore she told him nothing, less or more, until the morning light.
Luke 16:23
- And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
2 Samuel 3:24
- Then Joab came to the king, and said, What hast thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why [is] it [that] thou hast sent him away, and he is quite gone?
2 Samuel 3:25
- Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Proverbs 19:10
Proverbs 19:10 is part of the biblical Wisdom Literature, which includes the book of Proverbs, traditionally attributed to Solomon, the king of Israel renowned for his wisdom. This verse reflects the ancient Near Eastern context where social hierarchy was prominent and expected to be maintained.
The verse conveys two related ideas:
1. **Inappropriateness of Frivolity in a Fool**: The first part of the verse, "Delight is not seemly for a fool," suggests that it is unsuitable or inappropriate for a person who lacks wisdom or good judgment (referred to as a "fool" in biblical terms) to partake in delight or frivolity. The implication is that a fool, by nature of their foolishness, does not have the capacity to appreciate or properly engage in joy or celebration without it being out of place or excessive.
2. **Impropriety of a Servant Ruling Over Princes**: The second part, "much less for a servant to have rule over princes," emphasizes the social order. It highlights the incongruity of someone of lowly status, such as a servant, being in a position of authority over those born into nobility or high social standing, like princes. This inversion of the expected social hierarchy would have been seen as absurd or even scandalous in the historical context of the ancient world, where social classes were rigidly defined and maintained.
In summary, Proverbs 19:10 underscores the importance of social order and the suitability of roles within that order. It reflects the ancient cultural expectation that wisdom and position should align, and that deviations from this norm are improper or unseemly. The verse serves as a caution against the upending of established social structures and as a reminder of the value of wisdom and appropriate conduct in one's social station.
*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: H8588
There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: תַּעֲנוּג
Transliteration: taʻănûwg
Pronunciation: tah-an-oog'
Description: or תַּעֲנֻג; and (feminine) תַּעֲנֻגָה; from עָנַג; luxury; delicate, delight, pleasant. - Strong's Number: H5000
There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָאוֶה
Transliteration: nâʼveh
Pronunciation: naw-veh'
Description: from נָאָה or נָוֶה; suitable, or beautiful; becometh, comely, seemly. - Strong's Number: H3684
There are 69 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כְּסִיל
Transliteration: kᵉçîyl
Pronunciation: kes-eel'
Description: from כָּסַל; properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or silly; fool(-ish). - Strong's Number: H5650
There are 714 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֶבֶד
Transliteration: ʻebed
Pronunciation: eh'-bed
Description: from עָבַד; a servant; [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant. - Strong's Number: H4910
There are 74 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מָשַׁל
Transliteration: mâshal
Pronunciation: maw-shal'
Description: a primitive root; to rule; (have, make to have) dominion, governor, [idiom] indeed, reign, (bear, cause to, have) rule(-ing, -r), have power. - 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.