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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 />Woe to the land whose king was a servant and whose princes feast in the morning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/10.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />What sorrow for the land ruled by a servant, the land whose leaders feast in the morning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/10.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes feast in the morning!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth, and whose princes feast in the morning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/10.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Woe to thee, O land, when thy king <i>is</i> a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ecclesiastes/10.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Woe to you, O land, when your king <i>is</i> a child, And your princes feast in the morning!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/10.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Woe to you, land whose king is a boy, and whose princes feast in the morning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/10.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Woe to you, O land, whose king is a lad and whose princes feast in the morning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/10.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Woe to you, O land, whose king is a lad and whose princes feast in the morning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Woe to you, O land, whose king is a young man and whose princes eat in the morning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child and when your [incompetent] officials <i>and</i> princes feast in the morning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Woe to you, land, when your king is a youth and your princes feast in the morning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Woe to you, land, when your king is a youth and your princes feast in the morning. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/10.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />A country is in for trouble when its ruler is childish, and its leaders party all day long. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/10.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/10.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />How horrible it will be for any country where the king used to be a servant and where the high officials throw parties in the morning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />A country is in trouble when its king is a youth and its leaders feast all night long. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/10.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Woe to the land whose king is a youth and whose princes feast in the morning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth, and whose princes feast in the morning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ecclesiastes/10.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Woe to you, O land, when your king is childish, and your princes feast in the morning! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/10.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Woe to you, land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ecclesiastes/10.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Woe to you, land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning! <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Woe to you, O land, when your king [is] a youth, "" And your princes eat in the morning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a youth, And thy princes do eat in the morning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Wo! to thee, O land: thy king a youth, and thy chiefs will eat in the morning.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and when the princes eat in the morning. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Woe to you, the land whose king is a boy, and whose princes consume in the morning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/10.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Woe to you, O land, whose king is a youth, and whose princes feast in the morning! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/10.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Alas for you, O land, when your king is a servant, and your princes feast in the morning!<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Woe to you, oh city, when your King is a boy and your princes eat at dawn!<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/10.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a boy, And thy princes feast in the morning!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Woe to thee, O city, whose king is young, and thy princes eat in the morning!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/10-16.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=1957" 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">15</span>The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city. <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/337.htm" title="337: ’î- (Interjection) -- Alas! Short from 'owy; alas!">Woe</a> <a href="/hebrew/lāḵ (Prep:: 2fs) -- ">to 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/5288.htm" title="5288: nā·‘ar (N-ms) -- A boy, lad, youth, retainer. From na'ar; a boy, from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also, a girl.">is a youth,</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/1242.htm" title="1242: bab·bō·qer (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Morn- ing. From baqar; properly, dawn; generally, morning.">in the morning.</a> </span><span class="reftext">17</span>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.…<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="/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="/proverbs/28-16.htm">Proverbs 28:16</a></span><br />A leader who lacks judgment is also a great oppressor, but he who hates dishonest profit will prolong his days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/3-12.htm">Isaiah 3:12</a></span><br />Youths oppress My people, and women rule over them. O My people, your guides mislead you; they turn you from your paths.<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="/1_kings/12-1.htm">1 Kings 12:1-19</a></span><br />Then Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone there to make him king. / When Jeroboam son of Nebat heard about this, he was still in Egypt where he had fled from King Solomon and had been living ever since. / So they sent for Jeroboam, and he and the whole assembly of Israel came to Rehoboam and said, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/10-16.htm">2 Chronicles 10:16-19</a></span><br />When all Israel saw that the king had refused to listen to them, they answered the king: “What portion do we have in David, and what inheritance in the son of Jesse? To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, O David!” So all the Israelites went home, / but Rehoboam still reigned over the Israelites living in the cities of Judah. / Then King Rehoboam sent out Hadoram, who was in charge of the forced labor, but the Israelites stoned him to death. And King Rehoboam mounted his chariot in haste and escaped to Jerusalem. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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="/isaiah/5-11.htm">Isaiah 5:11</a></span><br />Woe to those who rise early in the morning in pursuit of strong drink, who linger into the evening, to be inflamed by wine.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/9-16.htm">Isaiah 9:16</a></span><br />For those who guide this people mislead them, and those they mislead are swallowed up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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="/1_kings/3-7.htm">1 Kings 3:7</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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/13-7.htm">2 Chronicles 13:7</a></span><br />Then worthless and wicked men gathered around him to resist Rehoboam son of Solomon when he was young, inexperienced, and unable to resist them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/28-7.htm">Isaiah 28:7</a></span><br />These also stagger from wine and stumble from strong drink: Priests and prophets reel from strong drink and are befuddled by wine. They stumble because of strong drink, muddled in their visions and stumbling in their judgments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/2-16.htm">Matthew 2:16</a></span><br />When Herod saw that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was filled with rage. Sending orders, he put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, according to the time he had learned from the Magi.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/6-21.htm">Mark 6:21-28</a></span><br />On Herod’s birthday, her opportunity arose. Herod held a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. / When the daughter of Herodias came and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests, and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.” / And he swore to her, “Whatever you ask of me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom!” ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning!</p><p class="hdg">when</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/13-7.htm">2 Chronicles 13:7</a></b></br> And there are gathered unto him vain men, the children of Belial, and have strengthened themselves against Rehoboam the son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was young and tenderhearted, and could not withstand them.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/33-1.htm">2 Chronicles 33:1</a></b></br> Manasseh <i>was</i> twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/36-2.htm">2 Chronicles 36:2,5,9,11</a></b></br> Jehoahaz <i>was</i> twenty and three years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem… </p><p class="hdg">and</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/20-1.htm">Proverbs 20:1,2</a></b></br> Wine <i>is</i> a mocker, strong drink <i>is</i> raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/5-11.htm">Isaiah 5:11,12</a></b></br> Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, <i>that</i> they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, <i>till</i> wine inflame them! … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/28-7.htm">Isaiah 28:7,8</a></b></br> But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble <i>in</i> judgment… </p><p class="hdg">in the</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/21-12.htm">Jeremiah 21:12</a></b></br> O house of David, thus saith the LORD; Execute judgment in the morning, and deliver <i>him that is</i> spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor, lest my fury go out like fire, and burn that none can quench <i>it</i>, because of the evil of your doings.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/4-3.htm">Boy</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-3.htm">Child</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-7.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-11.htm">Feast</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-2.htm">Feasting</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-15.htm">Lad</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-14.htm">Morning</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-7.htm">Princes</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-7.htm">Rulers</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-21.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-10.htm">Unhappy</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-10.htm">Wo</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-10.htm">Woe</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-15.htm">Youth</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/7-16.htm">Boy</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-5.htm">Child</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-17.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-17.htm">Feast</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-17.htm">Feasting</a> <a href="/isaiah/8-4.htm">Lad</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-6.htm">Morning</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-17.htm">Princes</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-10.htm">Rulers</a> <a href="/isaiah/16-14.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-11.htm">Unhappy</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-11.htm">Wo</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-9.htm">Woe</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-9.htm">Youth</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>Woe to you, O land</b><br>The term "woe" is often used in Scripture to express lamentation or impending judgment. It signifies a deep sorrow or distress that is about to befall a nation or people. In the biblical context, this warning is directed towards a land or nation that is under poor leadership. The use of "land" here can be understood as a reference to a nation or kingdom, emphasizing the collective impact of leadership on the people. This phrase echoes the prophetic warnings found in other parts of the Bible, such as Isaiah and Jeremiah, where nations are warned of the consequences of their leaders' actions.<p><b>whose king is a youth</b><br>The reference to a "youth" as a king suggests inexperience and immaturity in leadership. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, wisdom and experience were highly valued in rulers. A young king might lack the necessary discernment and understanding to govern effectively. This phrase can be connected to the story of Rehoboam, Solomon's son, who ascended to the throne at a young age and made unwise decisions that led to the division of the kingdom (1 Kings 12). The warning here is against the dangers of having leaders who are not yet ready to bear the responsibilities of governance.<p><b>and whose princes feast in the morning</b><br>Feasting in the morning implies indulgence and a lack of discipline among the leaders. In biblical times, morning was typically a time for work and preparation, not for feasting and revelry. This behavior indicates a disregard for duty and a focus on personal pleasure rather than the welfare of the nation. The contrast is seen in the example of Jesus Christ, who exemplified servant leadership and self-discipline. The behavior of these princes can be seen as a type of the prodigal lifestyle warned against in Proverbs, where wisdom is contrasted with folly. The indulgence of the leaders can lead to the downfall of the nation, as seen in the history of Israel and Judah when leaders turned away from God's commandments.<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 wisdom of its leaders.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_king.htm">The King</a></b><br>Symbolizes leadership and authority. In this verse, the king is described as a "youth," which implies immaturity and lack of experience.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_princes.htm">The Princes</a></b><br>These are the advisors or officials who assist the king in governance. Their behavior reflects the overall governance style and priorities of the leadership.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/f/feasting_in_the_morning.htm">Feasting in the Morning</a></b><br>This phrase indicates indulgence and lack of discipline. In the cultural context, morning was a time for work and preparation, not for feasting.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_wise_leadership.htm">The Importance of Wise Leadership</a></b><br>Leadership requires wisdom and maturity. Immature leaders can lead to the downfall of a nation or community.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_dangers_of_indulgence.htm">The Dangers of Indulgence</a></b><br>Leaders who prioritize personal pleasure over responsibility can cause harm to those they lead. Discipline and self-control are essential qualities for effective leadership.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_advisors.htm">The Role of Advisors</a></b><br>The behavior of a leader's advisors reflects the overall governance. Wise and disciplined advisors contribute to the stability and prosperity of the land.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_neglecting_responsibilities.htm">The Consequences of Neglecting Responsibilities</a></b><br>When leaders neglect their duties, it can lead to societal disorder and suffering. Leaders must prioritize their responsibilities over personal indulgence.<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/bible_books'_order.htm">What is the order of the Bible's books?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_couldn't_ephraimites_expel_canaanites.htm">If God promised the land to Israel, why were the Ephraimites unable to drive out the Canaanites (Joshua 16:10), raising questions about divine promises?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_reconcile_god's_rule_with_oppression.htm">How can we reconcile God's ultimate kingship with the continuing oppression seen throughout history? (Psalm 10:16-18)</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_ezekiel_27's_tarshish_match_history.htm">Does the mention of Tarshish and other distant lands in Ezekiel 27 align with known ancient geography and historical records?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16) <span class= "bld">Woe.</span>--See Note on <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-10.htm" title="For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falls; for he has not another to help him up.">Ecclesiastes 4:10</a>.<p><span class= "bld">A child.</span>--The Hebrew word has a wide range, being constantly translated <span class= "ital">lad </span>or <span class= "ital">young man, </span>and applied, for instance, to Solomon (<a href="/1_chronicles/29-1.htm" title="Furthermore David the king said to all the congregation, Solomon my son, whom alone God has chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great: for the palace is not for man, but for the LORD God.">1Chronicles 29:1</a>), to Rehoboam (<a href="/2_chronicles/13-7.htm" title="And there are gathered to him vain men, the children of Belial, and have strengthened themselves against Rehoboam the son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was young and tenderhearted, and could not withstand them.">2Chronicles 13:7</a>), and according to a usage common to many languages (<span class= "ital">e.g., </span>the Latin <span class= "ital">puer</span>)<span class= "ital">, </span>it often means a servant (<a href="/2_samuel/16-1.htm" title="And when David was a little past the top of the hill, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of asses saddled, and on them two hundred loaves of bread, and an hundred bunches of raisins, and an hundred of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine.">2Samuel 16:1</a>, &c). Some take it in that sense here, contrasting it with the nobly-born king of the next verse. But comp. <a href="/isaiah/3-12.htm" title="As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead you cause you to err, and destroy the way of your paths.">Isaiah 3:12</a>. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 16-20.</span> - Section 15. Koheleth returns to the theme mentioned in vers. 4-7. and speaks <span class="accented">of folly in one who holds the position of king, and the need of wisdom and prudence in the subjects of an unworthy ruler</span>. <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 16.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child</span>! "Child" is <span class="accented">naar</span>, which term included any age up to manhood. Some interpret the word here, as <span class="greek">παῖς</span> in Greek, in the sense of "slave," contrasting it with "the son of nobles" in the following verse. But it can hardly signify more than servitor, attendant; and in ver. 7 the antithesis to "prince" is <span class="accented">ebed</span>, not <span class="accented">naar</span>. The child in the present case is a youthful, inexperienced ruler, who does not realize his responsibilities, and is the tool of evil advisers. What particular instance, if any, Koheleth had in view it is impossible to say. Of course, many expositors see a reference to Rehoboam. whom, at forty years of age, his own son Abijah calls <span class="accented">naar</span> (<a href="/2_chronicles/13-7.htm">2 Chronicles 13:7</a>), and who was certainly childish in his conduct (<a href="/1_kings/12-1.htm">1 Kings 12:1-14</a>). Hitzig connects the passage with the reign of Ptolemy Epiphanes, who was but five years old at the death of his father, <span class="date">B.C. 205</span>, the reins of government being assumed by Agathocles and his sister Agathoclea, who occasioned serious disasters to the laud. To support this opinion, the date of our book has to be considerably reduced (see Introduction). It is best to take the gnome as a general expression, like that in <a href="/isaiah/3-12.htm">Isaiah 3:12</a>, "As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them." <span class="cmt_word">Thy princes eat in the morning.</span> Eating here implies feasting and banqueting, beginning the day with sensual enjoyment instead of such honest work as attending to state matters, administering justice, etc., as becomes good rulers. None but profligates would thus spend the early morning. "These are not drunken, as ye suppose; seeing it is but the third hour of the day," says St. Peter, repudiating the charge of intoxication (<a href="/acts/2-15.htm">Acts 2:15</a>). "Woe unto them," cries Isaiah (<a href="/isaiah/5-11.htm">Isaiah 5:11</a>), "that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink!" Even the heathen censured such debauchery. Cicero thus abuses Antonius: "At quam multos dies in ea villa turpissime es per-bacchatus. Ab hora tertia bibebatur, ludebatur, vomebatur" ('Philipp.,' 2:41). Curtius (5. 7. 2) reprehends" de die convivia inire." The Greeks had a proverb to denote abnormal sensuality, <span class="greek">Ἀφ ἡμέρας πίνειν</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/10-16.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">Woe to you,</span><br /><span class="heb">אִֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(’î-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_337.htm">Strong's 337: </a> </span><span class="str2">Alas!</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 youth,</span><br /><span class="heb">נָ֑עַר</span> <span class="translit">(nā·‘ar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5288.htm">Strong's 5288: </a> </span><span class="str2">A boy, lad, youth, retainer</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and whose princes</span><br /><span class="heb">וְשָׂרַ֖יִךְ</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">יֹאכֵֽלוּ׃</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">in the morning.</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּבֹּ֥קֶר</span> <span class="translit">(bab·bō·qer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1242.htm">Strong's 1242: </a> </span><span class="str2">Dawn, morning</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/10-16.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/10-16.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/10-16.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/10-16.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/10-16.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/10-16.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/10-16.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/10-16.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/10-16.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/10-16.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-16.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 10:16 Woe to you land when your king (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 10:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 10:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 10:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 10:17" /></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>