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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ecclesiastes 10:17 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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/10-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/21_Ecc_10_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ecclesiastes 10:17 - Wisdom and Folly" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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 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title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/10.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/10.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Blessed is the land whose king is of noble birth and whose princes eat at a proper time— for strength and not for drunkenness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/10.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Happy is the land whose king is a noble leader and whose leaders feast at the proper time to gain strength for their work, not to get drunk.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/10.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Happy are you, O land, when your king is the son of the nobility, and your princes feast at the proper time, for strength, and not for drunkenness!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/10.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Blessed <i>art</i> thou, O land, when thy king <i>is</i> the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ecclesiastes/10.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Blessed <i>are</i> you, O land, when your king <i>is</i> the son of nobles, And your princes feast at the proper time— For strength and not for drunkenness!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/10.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Blessed are you, land whose king is of nobility, and whose princes eat at the appropriate time—for strength and not for drunkenness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/10.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Blessed are you, O land, whose king is of nobility and whose princes eat at the appropriate time— for strength and not for drunkenness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/10.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Blessed are you, O land, whose king is of nobility and whose princes eat at the appropriate time—for strength, and not for drunkenness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Blessed are you, O land, whose king is of nobility and whose princes eat at the appropriate time—for might and not for drinking.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Blessed [prosperous and admired] are you, O land, when your king is a man of noble birth, and your princes <i>and</i> officials feast at the proper time—for strength and not for drunkenness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Blessed are you, land, when your king is a son of nobles and your princes feast at the proper time — for strength and not for drunkenness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Blessed are you, land, when your king is a son of nobles and your princes feast at the proper time— for strength and not for drunkenness. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/10.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />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!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But a nation will prosper when its ruler is mature, and its leaders don't party too much. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/10.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />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!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/10.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />A country is blessed when the king is from a noble family and when the high officials eat at the right time in order to get strength and not to get drunk.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />But a country is fortunate to have a king who makes his own decisions and leaders who eat at the proper time, who control themselves and don't get drunk. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/10.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />That land is blessed whose king is of noble birth, whose princes feast at the right time, for strength, and not to become drunk.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ecclesiastes/10.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobility, and your princes feast at the proper time--with self-control and not in drunkenness. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/10.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Blessed are you, land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ecclesiastes/10.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Happy are you, land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness! <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Blessed are you, O land, "" When your king [is] a son of nobles, "" And your princes eat in due season, "" For might, and not for drunkenness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Happy art thou, O land, When thy king is a son of freemen, And thy princes do eat in due season, For might, and not for drunkenness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Happy thou, O land: thy king the son of nobles, and thy chiefs shall eat in time, in strength and not in drinking.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Blessed is the land, whose king is noble, and whose princes eat in due season for refreshment, and not for riotousness. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Blessed is the land whose king is noble, and whose princes eat at the proper time, for refreshment and not for self-indulgence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/10.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Happy are you, O land, whose king is of noble birth, and whose princes dine at the right time— for vigor and not in drinking bouts. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/10.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Happy are you, O land, when your king is a nobleman, and your princes feast at the proper time— for strength, and not for drunkenness!<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of a noble and your princes eat in due time, for strength and not for drunkenness!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Your blessing, oh city, when your King is a son of the free and your Princes in their time eat with diligence and not with drunkenness!<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/10.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Happy art thou, O land, when thy king is a free man, And thy princes eat in due season, In strength, and not in drunkenness!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Blessed art thou, O land, whose king is a son of nobles, and whose princes shall eat seasonably, for strength, and shall not be ashamed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/10-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8-2fxj-VcEg?start=1964" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Wisdom and Folly</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">16</span>Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth, and whose princes feast in the morning. <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/835.htm" title="835: ’aš·rêḵ (Interjection:: 2fs) -- Happiness, blessedness. From 'ashar; happiness; only in masculine plural construction as interjection, how happy!">Blessed are you,</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: ’e·reṣ (N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">O land</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: šem·mal·kêḵ (Pro-r:: N-msc:: 2fs) -- King. From malak; a king.">whose king</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ben- (N-msc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">is a son</a> <a href="/hebrew/2715.htm" title="2715: ḥō·w·rîm (N-mp) -- A noble. Or chowr; from charar; properly, white or pure (compare choriy); hence (figuratively) noble (in rank).">of nobles,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8269.htm" title="8269: wə·śā·ra·yiḵ (Conj-w:: N-mpc:: 2fs) -- Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince. From sarar; a head person.">and whose princes</a> <a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: yō·ḵê·lū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat.">feast</a> <a href="/hebrew/6256.htm" title="6256: bā·‘êṯ (Prep-b, Art:: N-cs) -- Time. From ad; time, especially now, when, etc.">at the proper time—</a> <a href="/hebrew/1369.htm" title="1369: biḡ·ḇū·rāh (Prep-b:: N-fs) -- Strength, might. Feminine passive participle from the same as gibbowr; force; by implication, valor, victory.">for strength</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">and not</a> <a href="/hebrew/8358.htm" title="8358: ḇaš·šə·ṯî (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- A drinking, drinking bout. From shathah; intoxicaion.">for drunkenness.</a> </span><span class="reftext">18</span>Through laziness the roof caves in, and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/31-4.htm">Proverbs 31:4-5</a></span><br />It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink, / lest they drink and forget what is decreed, depriving all the oppressed of justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/32-8.htm">Isaiah 32:8</a></span><br />But a noble man makes honorable plans; he stands up for worthy causes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/20-1.htm">Proverbs 20:1</a></span><br />Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/3-2.htm">1 Timothy 3:2-3</a></span><br />An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, / not dependent on wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, and free of the love of money.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/23-1.htm">Proverbs 23:1-2</a></span><br />When you sit down to dine with a ruler, consider carefully what is set before you, / and put a knife to your throat if you possess a great appetite.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-42.htm">Luke 12:42-43</a></span><br />And the Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their portion at the proper time? / Blessed is that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/5-8.htm">1 Peter 5:8</a></span><br />Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/16-32.htm">Proverbs 16:32</a></span><br />He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-45.htm">Matthew 24:45-46</a></span><br />Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of his household, to give the others their food at the proper time? / Blessed is that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/9-25.htm">1 Corinthians 9:25</a></span><br />Everyone who competes in the games trains with strict discipline. They do it for a crown that is perishable, but we do it for a crown that is imperishable.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/23-20.htm">Proverbs 23:20-21</a></span><br />Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat. / For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe them in rags.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-13.htm">Romans 13:13</a></span><br />Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/5-6.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:6-8</a></span><br />So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober. / For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. / But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet of our hope of salvation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/28-7.htm">Proverbs 28:7</a></span><br />A discerning son keeps the law, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/5-18.htm">Ephesians 5:18</a></span><br />Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!</p><p class="hdg">when</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-6.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:6,7</a></b></br> Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/28-2.htm">Proverbs 28:2,3</a></b></br> For the transgression of a land many <i>are</i> the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding <i>and</i> knowledge the state <i>thereof</i> shall be prolonged… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/30-21.htm">Jeremiah 30:21</a></b></br> 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 <i>is</i> this that engaged his heart to approach unto me? saith the LORD.</p><p class="hdg">and thy</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/31-4.htm">Proverbs 31:4,5</a></b></br> <i>It is</i> not for kings, O Lemuel, <i>it is</i> not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/19-10.htm">Appropriate</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-28.htm">Blessed</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-16.htm">Chiefs</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/29-19.htm">Drunkenness</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-5.htm">Due</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-16.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-16.htm">Feast</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-16.htm">Feasting</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-7.htm">Food</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-8.htm">Free</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-17.htm">Freemen</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-14.htm">Happy</a> <a href="/esther/1-18.htm">Nobility</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-29.htm">Noble</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-26.htm">Nobles</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-16.htm">Princes</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-6.htm">Proper</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-10.htm">Right</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-5.htm">Ruler</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-1.htm">Season</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-10.htm">Strength</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-12.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/15-26.htm">Appropriate</a> <a href="/songs/6-9.htm">Blessed</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-23.htm">Chiefs</a> <a href="/jeremiah/13-13.htm">Drunkenness</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-27.htm">Due</a> <a href="/songs/4-16.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-19.htm">Feast</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-17.htm">Feasting</a> <a href="/songs/1-7.htm">Food</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-20.htm">Free</a> <a href="/isaiah/34-12.htm">Freemen</a> <a href="/songs/6-9.htm">Happy</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-14.htm">Nobility</a> <a href="/songs/6-12.htm">Noble</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-14.htm">Nobles</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-23.htm">Princes</a> <a href="/isaiah/28-25.htm">Proper</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-6.htm">Right</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-6.htm">Ruler</a> <a href="/songs/2-12.htm">Season</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-1.htm">Strength</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-1.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">Ecclesiastes 10</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-1.htm">observations of wisdom and folly</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-7.htm">death in life</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-9.htm">and the day of judgment in the days of youth, are to be thought on</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ecclesiastes/10.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Blessed are you, O land</b><br>This phrase highlights the concept of divine favor and prosperity bestowed upon a nation. In biblical terms, a "blessed" land is one that experiences peace, prosperity, and righteousness. The idea of a land being blessed is often tied to the leadership and the spiritual state of its people, as seen in <a href="/deuteronomy/28.htm">Deuteronomy 28</a>, where blessings are promised for obedience to God's commandments.<p><b>whose king is a son of nobles</b><br>The reference to a king being a "son of nobles" suggests a ruler who is well-bred, educated, and prepared for leadership. In ancient Israel and surrounding cultures, nobility often implied a lineage of wisdom and experience in governance. This contrasts with leaders who might come to power through rebellion or corruption, as seen in the story of Abimelech in <a href="/judges/9.htm">Judges 9</a>. A noble lineage is associated with stability and continuity, which are crucial for a nation's well-being.<p><b>and whose princes feast at the proper time</b><br>Feasting "at the proper time" implies discipline and self-control among the leaders. In the ancient Near East, feasting was a common practice, but it was important for leaders to demonstrate restraint and wisdom in their indulgence. This is reminiscent of <a href="/proverbs/31-4.htm">Proverbs 31:4-5</a>, where kings are advised against excessive drinking, which can lead to poor judgment. Proper timing in feasting reflects a balanced approach to leadership, prioritizing duty over personal pleasure.<p><b>for strength and not for drunkenness</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the purpose of feasting: to gain strength rather than to indulge in excess. Leaders are expected to maintain their physical and mental faculties to govern effectively. The Bible frequently warns against drunkenness, as seen in <a href="/ephesians/5-18.htm">Ephesians 5:18</a>, where believers are encouraged to be filled with the Spirit rather than wine. This distinction underscores the importance of self-control and the dangers of overindulgence, which can lead to moral and social decay.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_land.htm">The Land</a></b><br>Represents a nation or community under governance. The well-being of the land is directly tied to the character and behavior of its leaders.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_king.htm">The King</a></b><br>Symbolizes leadership and authority. A king of nobility implies a ruler who is wise, just, and acts in the best interest of the people.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/p/princes.htm">Princes</a></b><br>These are the leaders or officials under the king. Their behavior and priorities reflect the overall governance and health of the nation.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/f/feasting.htm">Feasting</a></b><br>Represents the use of resources and time. Feasting at the proper time indicates discipline and purpose, contrasting with indulgence and excess.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/d/drunkenness.htm">Drunkenness</a></b><br>Symbolizes excess, lack of self-control, and poor leadership. It serves as a warning against indulgence that leads to the downfall of a nation.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/n/noble_leadership.htm">Noble Leadership</a></b><br>True leadership is marked by nobility and integrity. Leaders should prioritize the well-being of their people over personal indulgence.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/proper_use_of_resources.htm">Proper Use of Resources</a></b><br>Resources and time should be used wisely and purposefully. Feasting "for strength" implies using what we have to build up and sustain rather than for self-indulgence.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/self-control_and_discipline.htm">Self-Control and Discipline</a></b><br>Self-control is crucial for effective leadership. Avoiding excess and maintaining discipline ensures that leaders can make sound decisions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/impact_of_leadership_on_society.htm">Impact of Leadership on Society</a></b><br>The character of leaders directly affects the prosperity and moral health of a nation. Good leadership leads to a blessed and stable society.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_leadership.htm">Spiritual Leadership</a></b><br>Spiritual leaders are called to a higher standard of conduct, reflecting the principles of noble leadership in their guidance of others.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ecclesiastes_10.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 10</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_meaning_of_psalm_121_1.htm">What does 'Living dog better than dead lion' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible_books'_order.htm">What is the order of the Bible's books?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_marrow_controversy.htm">What was the Investiture Controversy about?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_there_evidence_of_ahasuerus's_tribute.htm">Esther 10:1 - Is there any historical or archaeological record confirming King Ahasuerus's tribute on lands and coastlands?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 17.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles</span>! <span class="accented">cujus</span> rex <span class="accented">nobilis est</span> (Vulgate), <span class="greek">υἱὸς ἐλευθέρων</span>, "son of free men" (Septuagint). Some would regard "son of nobles" as a periphrasis expressive of character, equivalent to the Latin <span class="accented">generous</span>, as "son of strength," equivalent to "strong man;" "son of wickedness," equivalent to "wicked man;" but the phrase may well be taken literally. Koheleth (ver. 7) has expressed his disgust at the exaltation of unworthy slaves to high positions; he here intimates his adherence to the idea that those who descend from noble ancestors, and have been educated in the higher ranks of society, are more likely to prove a blessing to their land than upstarts who have been placed by caprice or favoritism in situations of trust and eminence. Of course, it is not universally true that men of high birth make good rulers; but proverbs of general tenor must not be pressed in particulars, and the author must be understood to affirm that the fact of having distinguished ancestors is an incentive to right action, stirs a worthy emulation in a man, gives him a motive which is wanting in the lowborn parvenu. The feeling, <span class="accented">noblesse oblige</span>, has preserved many from baseness (comp. <a href="/john/8-39.htm">John 8:39</a>). <span class="cmt_word">Thy princes eat in due season</span>; not like those mentioned in ver. 16, but <span class="accented">in tempore</span>, <span class="greek">πρὸς καιρόν</span>, at the right time, the "season" which appertains to all mundane things (<a href="/ecclesiastes/3-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:1-8</a>). <span class="cmt_word">For strength, and net for drunkenness.</span> The preposition here is taken as expressing the object - they eat to gain strength, not to indulge sensuality; but it is more in accordance with usage to translate "in, or with, manly strength," <span class="accented">i.e.</span> as man's strength demands, and not degenerating into a carouse. If it is thought incongruous, as Ginsburg deems, to say, "princes eat for drunkenness," we may take drunkenness as denoting excess of any kind The word in the form here used occurs nowhere else. The Septuagint, regarding rather the consequences of intoxication than the actual word in the text, renders, <span class="greek">Καὶ οὐκ αἰσχυνθήσονται</span>, "And they shall not be ashamed." Thus, too, St. Jerome, Et non <span class="accented">in confusione</span>. St. Augustine ('De Civit.,' 17:20) deduces from this passage that there are two kingdoms - that of Christ and that of the devil, and he explains the allegory at some length, going into details which are of homiletic utility. Another interpretation is given by St. Jerome, quoted at length by Corn. a Lapide, in his copious commentary. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/10-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Blessed are you,</span><br /><span class="heb">אַשְׁרֵ֣יךְ</span> <span class="translit">(’aš·rêḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection | second person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_835.htm">Strong's 835: </a> </span><span class="str2">Happiness, interjection, how happy!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">O land</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶ֔רֶץ</span> <span class="translit">(’e·reṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earth, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">whose king</span><br /><span class="heb">שֶׁמַּלְכֵּ֖ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(šem·mal·kêḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is a son</span><br /><span class="heb">בֶּן־</span> <span class="translit">(ben-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of nobles,</span><br /><span class="heb">חוֹרִ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(ḥō·w·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2715.htm">Strong's 2715: </a> </span><span class="str2">White, pure, noble</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and whose princes</span><br /><span class="heb">וְשָׂרַ֙יִךְ֙</span> <span class="translit">(wə·śā·ra·yiḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8269.htm">Strong's 8269: </a> </span><span class="str2">Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince</span><br /><br /><span class="word">feast</span><br /><span class="heb">יֹאכֵ֔לוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yō·ḵê·lū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> </span><span class="str2">To eat</span><br /><br /><span class="word">at the proper time—</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּעֵ֣ת</span> <span class="translit">(bā·‘êṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6256.htm">Strong's 6256: </a> </span><span class="str2">Time, now, when</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[to be] strong</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּגְבוּרָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(biḡ·ḇū·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1369.htm">Strong's 1369: </a> </span><span class="str2">Force, valor, victory</span><br /><br /><span class="word">rather than</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to become drunk.</span><br /><span class="heb">בַשְּׁתִֽי׃</span> <span class="translit">(ḇaš·šə·ṯî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8358.htm">Strong's 8358: </a> </span><span class="str2">A drinking, drinking bout</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/10-17.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/10-17.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/10-17.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/10-17.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/10-17.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/10-17.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/10-17.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/10-17.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/10-17.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/10-17.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-17.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 10:17 Happy are you land when your king (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 10:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 10:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 10:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 10:18" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>