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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 10:7 I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/10-7.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/21_Ecc_10_07.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ecclesiastes 10:7 - Wisdom and Folly" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves." /><script type="application/javascript" 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cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad7.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-6.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 10:6">◄</a> Ecclesiastes 10:7 <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-8.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 10:8">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" 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 />I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/10.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />I have even seen servants riding horseback like princes—and princes walking like servants!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/10.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking on the ground like slaves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/10.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ecclesiastes/10.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />I have seen servants on horses, While princes walk on the ground like servants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/10.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />I have seen slaves <i>riding</i> on horses and princes walking like slaves on the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/10.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />I have seen slaves riding on horses and princes walking like slaves on the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/10.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />I have seen slaves <i>riding</i> on horses and princes walking like slaves on the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />I have seen slaves <i>riding</i> on horses and princes walking like slaves on the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />I have seen slaves <i>riding</i> on horses and princes walking like slaves on the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I have seen slaves on horses, but princes walking on the ground like slaves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I have seen slaves on horses, but princes walking on the ground like slaves. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/10.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking like servants upon the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />they let slaves ride on horses, but force slave owners to walk. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/10.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/10.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />I have seen slaves sitting on horses and influential people going on foot like slaves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />I have seen slaves on horseback while noblemen go on foot like slaves. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/10.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />And I have observed servants riding on horses, while princes walk on the ground like servants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ecclesiastes/10.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />I have seen slaves on horseback and princes walking on foot like slaves. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/10.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking like servants on the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ecclesiastes/10.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking like servants on the earth. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />I have seen servants on horses, "" And princes walking as servants on the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> I have seen servants on horses, And princes walking as servants on the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />I saw servants upon horses, and chiefs going as servants upon the earth.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />I have seen servants upon horses: and princes walking on the ground as servants. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking on the ground like servants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/10.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes went on foot like slaves. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/10.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />I have seen slaves on horseback, and princes walking on foot like slaves.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />I have seen servants riding upon horses, and princes walking like servants on the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />I have seen Servants upon horses and Rulers walking like Servants upon the Earth<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/10.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />I have seen servants upon horses, And princes walking as servants upon the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants on the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/10-7.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=1888" 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">6</span>Folly is appointed to great heights, but the rich sit in lowly positions. <span class="reftext">7</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: rā·’î·ṯî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">I have seen</a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: ‘ă·ḇā·ḏîm (N-mp) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">slaves</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">on</a> <a href="/hebrew/5483.htm" title="5483: sū·sîm (N-mp) -- A swallow, swift (type of bird). Or cuc; from an unused root meaning to skip; a horse; also a swallow.">horseback,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8269.htm" title="8269: wə·śā·rîm (Conj-w:: N-mp) -- Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince. From sarar; a head person.">while princes</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: hō·lə·ḵîm (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">go</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">on</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: hā·’ā·reṣ (Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">foot</a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: ka·‘ă·ḇā·ḏîm (Prep-k:: N-mp) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">like slaves.</a> </span><span class="reftext">8</span>He who digs a pit may fall into it, and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake.…<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/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="/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="/isaiah/10-1.htm">Isaiah 10:1-2</a></span><br />Woe to those who enact unjust statutes and issue oppressive decrees, / to deprive the poor of fair treatment and withhold justice from the oppressed of My people, to make widows their prey and orphans their plunder.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/32-5.htm">Isaiah 32:5</a></span><br />No longer will a fool be called noble, nor a scoundrel be respected.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/30-21.htm">Jeremiah 30:21</a></span><br />Their leader will be one of their own, and their ruler will arise from their midst. And I will bring him near, and he will approach Me, for who would dare on his own to approach Me?” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/5-8.htm">Lamentations 5:8</a></span><br />Slaves rule over us; there is no one to deliver us from their hands.<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/12-8.htm">1 Kings 12:8-10</a></span><br />But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders; instead, he consulted the young men who had grown up with him and served him. / He asked them, “What message do you advise that we send back to these people who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Lighten the yoke your father put on us’?” / The young men who had grown up with him replied, “This is how you should answer these people who said to you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you must make it lighter.’ This is what you should tell them: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/21-9.htm">2 Kings 21:9</a></span><br />But the people did not listen and Manasseh led them astray, so that they did greater evil than the nations that the LORD had destroyed before the Israelites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/33-9.htm">2 Chronicles 33:9</a></span><br />So Manasseh led the people of Judah and Jerusalem astray, so that they did greater evil than the nations that the LORD had destroyed before the Israelites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/20-25.htm">Matthew 20:25-28</a></span><br />But Jesus called them aside and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them. / It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, / and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave— ...<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.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking as servants on the earth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/19-10.htm">Proverbs 19:10</a></b></br> Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/30-22.htm">Proverbs 30:22</a></b></br> For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat;</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/8-16.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-1.htm">Foot</a> <a href="/esther/8-10.htm">Horseback</a> <a href="/psalms/76-6.htm">Horses</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-4.htm">Princes</a> <a href="/psalms/68-33.htm">Riding</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-19.htm">Rulers</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-7.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-7.htm">Slaves</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-3.htm">Walking</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-9.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-6.htm">Foot</a> <a href="/isaiah/22-6.htm">Horseback</a> <a href="/songs/1-9.htm">Horses</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-16.htm">Princes</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-1.htm">Riding</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-16.htm">Rulers</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-2.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/jeremiah/25-14.htm">Slaves</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-16.htm">Walking</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>I have seen slaves on horseback</b><br>This phrase highlights a reversal of expected social order, where those typically in positions of servitude are elevated to positions of power and authority. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, riding on horseback was a symbol of status and authority, often reserved for nobility and military leaders. The imagery here suggests a disruption in societal norms, which can be seen as a metaphor for the unpredictability and vanity of life, a central theme in Ecclesiastes. This reversal can also be compared to the biblical theme of the last being first and the first being last, as seen in <a href="/matthew/19-30.htm">Matthew 19:30</a>.<p><b>while princes go on foot like slaves</b><br>The image of princes walking on foot, a position of humility and servitude, further emphasizes the theme of life's unpredictability and the inversion of social hierarchies. In the historical context, princes or nobility would never be expected to walk, as this was a sign of low status. This phrase can be seen as a critique of human pride and the fleeting nature of earthly power and status. It echoes the biblical principle that God can raise up the humble and bring down the proud, as seen in passages like <a href="/1_samuel/2-7.htm">1 Samuel 2:7-8</a> and <a href="/luke/1-52.htm">Luke 1:52</a>. This inversion also serves as a reminder of the ultimate justice and sovereignty of God, who oversees the affairs of humanity.<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/s/slaves.htm">Slaves</a></b><br>In the context of this verse, slaves represent those who are typically in positions of low status or power. The imagery of them on horseback suggests an inversion of the expected social order.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/p/princes.htm">Princes</a></b><br>Princes symbolize those who are expected to hold positions of authority and honor. Their walking on foot like slaves indicates a reversal of roles and societal norms.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/h/horseback.htm">Horseback</a></b><br>Riding on horseback is a symbol of power, authority, and prestige in ancient times. It signifies a position of honor and leadership.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/f/foot.htm">Foot</a></b><br>Walking on foot, especially in contrast to riding, suggests a lower status or a position of servitude.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_unpredictability_of_life.htm">The Unpredictability of Life</a></b><br>Life often presents unexpected reversals. We should be prepared for changes in status and roles, understanding that earthly positions are temporary.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_over_social_order.htm">God's Sovereignty Over Social Order</a></b><br>God is ultimately in control of who is exalted and who is humbled. Trust in His wisdom and timing, even when societal norms are overturned.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/humility_and_contentment.htm">Humility and Contentment</a></b><br>Whether in a position of power or humility, we are called to be content and humble, recognizing that our worth is not determined by our social status.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_folly_of_pride.htm">The Folly of Pride</a></b><br>Pride can lead to downfall. We should avoid arrogance and instead seek wisdom and understanding, knowing that God can change our circumstances at any time.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_wisdom_over_status.htm">The Value of Wisdom Over Status</a></b><br>True wisdom is more valuable than social status. Seek wisdom and understanding, which provide lasting value beyond earthly positions.<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's_the_bible's_view_on_nostalgia.htm">What is the Bible's perspective on nostalgia?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_about_tomorrow.htm">What does fearing God mean about avoiding extremes?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/main_themes_of_bible's_books.htm">What are the main themes of the Bible's books?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_a_righteous_man's_prayer_effective.htm">What defines Machiavellianism?</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>(7) Considering that the importation of horses was a new thing in the reign of Solomon, we look on it as a mark of later age that a noble should think himself dishonoured by having to go on foot while his inferiors rode on horseback.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 7.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">I have seen servants upon horses.</span> A further description of the effect of the tyrant's perversion of equity. Such an allusion could not have been made in Solomon's reign, when the importation of horses was quite a new thing (<a href="/1_kings/10-28.htm">1 Kings 10:28</a>). Later, to ride upon horses was a distinction of the nobility (<a href="/jeremiah/17-25.htm">Jeremiah 17:25</a>). Thus Amaziah's corpse was brought on horses to be buried in the city of David (<a href="/2_chronicles/25-28.htm">2 Chronicles 25:28</a>): Mordecai was honored by being taken round the city on the king's own steed (<a href="/esther/6-8.htm">Esther 6:8</a>, etc.). <span class="cmt_word">Princes walking as servants upon the earth</span>. "Princes" (<span class="accented">sarim</span>); <span class="accented">i.e.</span> masters, lords. Some take the expressions here as figurative, equivalent to "those who are worthy to be princes," and "those who are fit only to be slaves;" but the literal is the true interpretation. Commentators quote what Justin (41:3) says of the Parthians, "Hoc denique discrimen inter serves liberos-que, quod servi pedibus, Liberi non nisi equis iuccdunt." Ginsburg notes that early travelers in the East record the fact that Europeans were not allowed by the Turks to ride upon horses, but were compelled either to use asses or walk on foot. In some places the privilege of riding upon horseback was permitted to the consuls of the great powers - an honor denied to all strangers of lower degree. Among the Greeks and Romans the possession of a horse with its war-trappings implied a certain amount of wealth and distinction. St. Gregory, treating of this passage ('Moral.,' 31:43), says, "By the name <span class="accented">horse</span> is understood temporal dignity, as Solomon witnesses .... For every one who sins is the servant of sin, and servants are upon horses, when sinner's are elated with the dignities of the present life. But princes walk as servants, when no honor exalts many who are full of the dignity of virtues, but when the greatest misfortune here presses them down, as though unworthy." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/10-7.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">I have seen</span><br /><span class="heb">רָאִ֥יתִי</span> <span class="translit">(rā·’î·ṯî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> </span><span class="str2">To see</span><br /><br /><span class="word">slaves</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲבָדִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·ḇā·ḏîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> </span><span class="str2">Slave, servant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">horseback,</span><br /><span class="heb">סוּסִ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(sū·sîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5483.htm">Strong's 5483: </a> </span><span class="str2">A swallow, swift (type of bird)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">while princes</span><br /><span class="heb">וְשָׂרִ֛ים</span> <span class="translit">(wə·śā·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural<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">go</span><br /><span class="heb">הֹלְכִ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(hō·lə·ḵîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">foot</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאָֽרֶץ׃</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ā·reṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | 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">like slaves.</span><br /><span class="heb">כַּעֲבָדִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(ka·‘ă·ḇā·ḏîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> </span><span class="str2">Slave, servant</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/10-7.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:7 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/10-7.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:7 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/10-7.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:7 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/10-7.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:7 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/10-7.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:7 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/10-7.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:7 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/10-7.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:7 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/10-7.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:7 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/10-7.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:7 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/10-7.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:7 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-7.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 10:7 I have seen servants on horses (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 10:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 10:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 10:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 10:8" /></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>