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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 10:6 Folly is appointed to great heights, but the rich sit in lowly positions.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/10-6.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/21_Ecc_10_06.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ecclesiastes 10:6 - Wisdom and Folly" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Folly is appointed to great heights, but the rich sit in lowly positions." /><script type="application/javascript" 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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 />Fools are put in many high positions, while the rich occupy the low ones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/10.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />when they give great authority to foolish people and low positions to people of proven worth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/10.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Folly is appointed to great heights, but the rich sit in lowly positions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/10.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ecclesiastes/10.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Folly is set in great dignity, While the rich sit in a lowly place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/10.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />foolishness is set in many exalted places while the rich sit in humble places.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/10.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />folly is set in many exalted places while rich men sit in humble places.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/10.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />folly is set in many exalted places while rich men sit in humble places.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />folly is set in many exalted places while rich men sit in humble places.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />folly is set in many exalted places <i>and</i> in great dignity while the rich sit in humble places.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The fool is appointed to great heights, but the rich remain in lowly positions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The fool is appointed to great heights, but the rich remain in lowly positions. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/10.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />They honor fools, but dishonor the rich; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/10.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/10.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Foolish people are often given high positions, and rich people are left to fill lower positions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Stupid people are given positions of authority while the rich are ignored. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/10.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Foolishness is given great honor, while the prosperous sit in lowly places. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ecclesiastes/10.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Fools are placed in many positions of authority, while wealthy men sit in lowly positions. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/10.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Folly is appointed to great heights, but the rich sit in lowly positions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ecclesiastes/10.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />He has set the fool in many high places, "" And the rich sits in a low place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> He hath set the fool in many high places, And the rich in a low place do sit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Folly was given to great heights, and the rich were set in lowness.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />A fool set in high dignity, and the rich sitting beneath. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />a foolish man appointed to a high dignity, and the rich sitting beneath him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/10.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />a fool put in high position, while the great and the rich sit in lowly places.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/10.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The fool is set in high and powerful places, and the rich shall sit in a low place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />For a fool sits in a high mighty place, and the rich will be seated in humility<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/10.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Folly is set on great heights, And the rich sit in low place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />The fool has been set in very high places, while rich men would sit in a low one.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/10-6.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=1882" 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">5</span>There is an evil I have seen under the sun—an error that proceeds from the ruler: <span class="reftext">6</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5529.htm" title="5529: has·se·ḵel (Art:: N-ms) -- Folly. From cakal; silliness; concretely and collectively, dolts.">Folly</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: nit·tan (V-Nifal-Perf-3ms) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">is appointed</a> <a href="/hebrew/7227.htm" title="7227: rab·bîm (Adj-mp) -- Much, many, great. By contracted from rabab; abundant.">to great</a> <a href="/hebrew/4791.htm" title="4791: bam·mə·rō·w·mîm (Prep-b, Art:: N-mp) -- Height. From ruwm; altitude, i.e. Concretely, abstractly (elation), or adverbially (aloft).">heights,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6223.htm" title="6223: wa·‘ă·šî·rîm (Conj-w:: Adj-mp) -- Rich. From ashar; rich, whether literal or figurative.">but the rich</a> <a href="/hebrew/3427.htm" title="3427: yê·šê·ḇū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; properly, to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry.">sit</a> <a href="/hebrew/8216.htm" title="8216: baš·šê·p̄el (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Low estate or condition. From shaphel; an humble rank.">in lowly positions.</a> </span><span class="reftext">7</span>I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.…<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/19-10.htm">Proverbs 19:10</a></span><br />Luxury is unseemly for a fool—how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/30-22.htm">Proverbs 30:22</a></span><br />a servant who becomes king, a fool who is filled with food,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/3-4.htm">Isaiah 3:4-5</a></span><br />“I will make mere lads their leaders, and children will rule over them.” / The people will oppress one another, man against man, neighbor against neighbor; the young will rise up against the old, and the base against the honorable.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/5-20.htm">Isaiah 5:20</a></span><br />Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/2-8.htm">1 Samuel 2:8</a></span><br />He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap. He seats them among princes and bestows on them a throne of honor. For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s, and upon them He has set the world.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/3-7.htm">1 Kings 3:7-9</a></span><br />And now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in my father David’s place. But I am only a little child, not knowing how to go out or come in. / Your servant is here among the people You have chosen, a people too numerous to count or number. / Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/113-7.htm">Psalm 113:7-8</a></span><br />He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the dump / to seat them with nobles, with the princes of His people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/4-17.htm">Daniel 4:17</a></span><br />This decision is the decree of the watchers, the verdict declared by the holy ones, so that the living will know that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes, setting over it the lowliest of men.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/13-11.htm">Hosea 13:11</a></span><br />So in My anger I gave you a king, and in My wrath I took him away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/34-18.htm">Job 34:18</a></span><br />who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-12.htm">Matthew 23:12</a></span><br />For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/1-52.htm">Luke 1:52</a></span><br />He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-27.htm">1 Corinthians 1:27-28</a></span><br />But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. / He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/4-10.htm">James 4:10</a></span><br />Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/5-5.htm">1 Peter 5:5-6</a></span><br />Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” / Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.</p><p class="hdg">folly</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/9-14.htm">Judges 9:14-20</a></b></br> Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, <i>and</i> reign over us… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/12-13.htm">1 Kings 12:13,14</a></b></br> And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men's counsel that they gave him; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/esther/3-1.htm">Esther 3:1</a></b></br> After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that <i>were</i> with him.</p><p class="hdg">dignity </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/james/2-3.htm">James 2:3-5</a></b></br> And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jude/1-8.htm">Dignities</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-25.htm">Dignity</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-32.htm">Exalted</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-1.htm">Folly</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-3.htm">Fool</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-3.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-17.htm">Fools</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-4.htm">Great</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-3.htm">Heights</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-8.htm">High</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-23.htm">Humble</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-15.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-23.htm">Low</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-10.htm">Occupy</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-8.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-7.htm">Placed</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-13.htm">Places</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-22.htm">Positions</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-12.htm">Rich</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-24.htm">Sit</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-19.htm">Wealth</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_peter/2-10.htm">Dignities</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-7.htm">Dignity</a> <a href="/isaiah/2-2.htm">Exalted</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-13.htm">Folly</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-12.htm">Fool</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-12.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-15.htm">Fools</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-8.htm">Great</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-5.htm">Heights</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-5.htm">High</a> <a href="/isaiah/11-4.htm">Humble</a> <a href="/songs/1-6.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-18.htm">Low</a> <a href="/ezekiel/27-9.htm">Occupy</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-3.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/songs/5-12.htm">Placed</a> <a href="/songs/2-14.htm">Places</a> <a href="/isaiah/22-7.htm">Positions</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-20.htm">Rich</a> <a href="/songs/2-3.htm">Sit</a> <a href="/songs/8-7.htm">Wealth</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'; 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In biblical context, this can be seen in the stories of leaders like King Saul, whose lack of wisdom led to his downfall (1 Samuel 15). The appointment of folly to high positions can be a result of human error, societal values that prioritize charisma over character, or divine allowance for the purpose of testing or judgment (<a href="/daniel/4-17.htm">Daniel 4:17</a>). This theme is echoed in the New Testament, where Paul speaks of God choosing the foolish things of the world to shame the wise (<a href="/1_corinthians/1-27.htm">1 Corinthians 1:27</a>), indicating that God's wisdom often contradicts human expectations.<p><b>but the rich sit in lowly positions</b><br>In ancient Near Eastern culture, wealth was often associated with wisdom and divine favor. However, this phrase suggests a reversal of expected social order, where those who are materially wealthy or wise are relegated to positions of lesser influence. This can be seen as a critique of societal values that fail to recognize true wisdom and righteousness. The Bible often warns against the dangers of wealth leading to pride and a false sense of security (<a href="/proverbs/11-28.htm">Proverbs 11:28</a>, <a href="/matthew/19-24.htm">Matthew 19:24</a>). The imagery of the rich sitting in lowly positions can also be seen as a foreshadowing of the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized humility and servanthood as the true marks of greatness (<a href="/matthew/23-11.htm">Matthew 23:11-12</a>). This reversal is a common theme in Scripture, where God exalts the humble and brings down the proud (<a href="/james/4-6.htm">James 4:6</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the king of Israel known for his wisdom, wealth, and writings. Ecclesiastes is part of the wisdom literature attributed to him.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation over which Solomon reigned. The societal structure and governance of Israel during Solomon's time provide context for understanding the observations in Ecclesiastes.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/f/fools_and_wise.htm">Fools and Wise</a></b><br>The book contrasts the lives and outcomes of the foolish and the wise, often using societal roles and positions to illustrate these differences.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/h/high_places.htm">High Places</a></b><br>In the context of this verse, "high places" refers to positions of authority or influence within society.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/r/rich_and_poor.htm">Rich and Poor</a></b><br>The verse contrasts the societal positions of the rich and the poor, using them as metaphors for wisdom and folly.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_inversion_of_worldly_values.htm">The Inversion of Worldly Values</a></b><br>The verse highlights the irony and folly of worldly systems where those lacking wisdom are often elevated to positions of power. This serves as a reminder to evaluate leadership and authority through the lens of godly wisdom rather than societal status.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_humility_of_the_wise.htm">The Humility of the Wise</a></b><br>The "rich" sitting in lowly positions can symbolize those who are rich in wisdom and understanding. True wisdom often comes with humility, and the wise may not always occupy the highest societal roles.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_folly_in_leadership.htm">The Danger of Folly in Leadership</a></b><br>When folly is set in high places, it can lead to societal decay and injustice. This calls for discernment in choosing leaders and a reminder to pray for those in authority.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_over_human_affairs.htm">God's Sovereignty Over Human Affairs</a></b><br>Despite the apparent disorder in human systems, God remains sovereign. Believers are encouraged to trust in His ultimate justice and order.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_seek_wisdom.htm">The Call to Seek Wisdom</a></b><br>The verse serves as a call to pursue wisdom and understanding, aligning oneself with God's values rather than the world's.<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_eternal_rewards_does_the_bible_promise.htm">Does laughter bring joy to the heart?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_you_doubt_when_you_have_faith.htm">What does the Bible say about dancing?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_ecclesiastes_10_2_culturally_biased.htm">Does the association of the wise with the 'right' and fools with the 'left' (Ecclesiastes 10:2) reflect outdated cultural biases, and how does it align with modern moral or ethical views?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_lucifer's_fall.htm">What does the Bible say about the value of laughter?</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 6.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place</span>. This is an instance of the error intimated in the preceding verse. A tyrannical ruler exalts incompetent persons, unworthy favorites, to "great heights" (<span class="greek">ἐν ὅψεσι μεγάλοις</span>, Septuagint), as it is literally - puts them into eminent positions. "Folly" is abstract for concrete, "fools." <span class="accented">And the rich sit in low place</span>. "The rich" (<span class="accented">ushirim</span>) are not simply those who have wealth, however obtained, but men of noble birth; <span class="greek">ἀρχαιόπλουτοι</span>, as Plumptre appositely notes, persons of ancestral wealth, who from natural position might be looked upon as rulers of men. Such men would seek eminent stations, not from base motives of gain, but from an honorable ambition, and yet they are often slighted by unworthy princes and kept in low estate (comp. <a href="/1_samuel/2-7.htm">1 Samuel 2:7, 8</a>; <a href="/proverbs/19-10.htm">Proverbs 19:10</a>; Ecclus. 11:5, 6). The experience mentioned in this and the following verses could scarcely have been Solomon's, though it has been always common enough in the East, where the most startling changes have been made, the lowest persons have been suddenly raised to eminence, mistresses and favorites loaded with dignities, and oppression of the rich has been systematically pursued. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/10-6.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">Folly</span><br /><span class="heb">הַסֶּ֔כֶל</span> <span class="translit">(has·se·ḵel)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5529.htm">Strong's 5529: </a> </span><span class="str2">Silliness, dolts</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is appointed</span><br /><span class="heb">נִתַּ֣ן</span> <span class="translit">(nit·tan)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to great</span><br /><span class="heb">רַבִּ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(rab·bîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7227.htm">Strong's 7227: </a> </span><span class="str2">Much, many, great</span><br /><br /><span class="word">heights,</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּמְּרוֹמִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(bam·mə·rō·w·mîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4791.htm">Strong's 4791: </a> </span><span class="str2">Altitude</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but the rich</span><br /><span class="heb">וַעֲשִׁירִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(wa·‘ă·šî·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6223.htm">Strong's 6223: </a> </span><span class="str2">Rich</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sit</span><br /><span class="heb">יֵשֵֽׁבוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(yê·šê·ḇū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3427.htm">Strong's 3427: </a> </span><span class="str2">To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in lowly positions.</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּשֵּׁ֥פֶל</span> <span class="translit">(baš·šê·p̄el)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8216.htm">Strong's 8216: </a> </span><span class="str2">Low estate or condition</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/10-6.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:6 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/10-6.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:6 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/10-6.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:6 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/10-6.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:6 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/10-6.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:6 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/10-6.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:6 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/10-6.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:6 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/10-6.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:6 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/10-6.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:6 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/10-6.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:6 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-6.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 10:6 Folly is set in great dignity (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-5.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 10:5"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 10:5" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-7.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 10:7"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 10:7" /></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>