Ecclesiastes 10:11

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:4-11

The scope of these verses is to keep subjects loyal and dutiful to the government. In Solomon's reign the people were very rich, and lived in prosperity, which perhaps made them proud and petulant, and when the taxes were high, though they had enough to pay them with, it is probable that many conducted themselves insolently towards the government and threatened to rebel. To such Solomon here gives some necessary cautions. I. Let not subjects carry on a quarrel with their prince upon any... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:11

Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment ,.... See Jeremiah 8:17 . Or rather, "without a whisper" F20 בלא לחש "absque susurro", Pagniuus; "absque sibilo", Tigurine version. ; without hissing, or any noise, giving no warning at all: so the Vulgate Latin version renders it, "in silence"; some serpents bite, others sting, some both; see Proverbs 23:32 ; some hiss, others not, as here; and a babbler is no better ; a whisperer, a backbiter, a busy tattling body, that... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 10:11

The serpent will bite without enchantment - לחש בלא belo lachash , without hissing. As a snake may bite before it hiss, so also will the babbler, talkative person, or calumniator. Without directly speaking evil, he insinuates, by innuendoes, things injurious to the reputation of his neighbor. Gif the eddir bite in silence, noyhing lasse than he hath that privily backbiteth - Old MS. Bible. "A babbler of his tongue is no better than a serpent that styngeth without hyssynge." -... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:8-11

Section 13. Various proverbs expressing the benefit of prudence and caution, and the danger of folly . The connection with what has preceded is not closely marked, but is probably to be found in the bearing of the maxims on the conduct of the wise man who has incurred the resentment of a ruler, and might be inclined to disaffection and revolt. They are intentionally obscure and capable of a double sense—a necessary precaution if the writer lived under Persian despots. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:11

The last proverb of this little series shows the necessity of seizing the right opportunity. Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment. The Authorized Version is not quite correct. The particle אם , with which the verse begins, is here conditional, and the rendering should be, If the serpent bite, etc.; the apodosis comes in the next clause. The idea is taken up from Ecclesiastes 10:8 . If one handles a serpent without due precaution or without knowing the secret of charming... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 10:11

Rather: “If a serpent without enchantment (i. e., not being enchanted) bites, then there is no advantage to the charmer”: i. e., if the charmer is unwisely slack in exercising his craft, he will be bitten like other people. See Psalms 58:4 note. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 10:11

Ecclesiastes 10:11. Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment Unless it be seasonably prevented by the art and care of the charmer. This is an allusion to the general opinion, then and still prevailing in the eastern countries, that serpents might be charmed so as to be prevented from biting by certain incantations, or by singing and music. See note on Psalms 58:4-5. And a babbler is no better Hebrew, בעל הלשׁון , the master of the tongue; which may be understood either of a... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:1-20

Thoughts on wisdom and folly (9:13-10:20)A simple story illustrates how a person may be wise and humble, but the good he does is not appreciated by those who benefit from it. Riches, status and a show of power are the things people admire. If a person lacks these, he is ignored or despised, even though his quiet words of wisdom may save a city from destruction (13-18).One foolish act can spoil a lot of good. Stupidity leads to wrongdoing and marks a person out as a fool in the eyes of everyone... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 10:11

"If the serpent bite before it is charmed, then is there no advantage to the charmer.""If the snake-charmer is unwise in the practice of his craft, he may be bitten like anyone else."[11] "Knowing how to charm a snake is of no use if you let the snake bite you first"![12] A spiritual application is that, "Knowing what to do to be saved is of no use to the man who puts it off till death overtakes him." read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Ecclesiastes 10:11

Ecclesiastes 10:11. Surely, the serpent will bite without enchantment— If the serpent biteth because he is not enchanted, then nothing remaineth to the master of enchantments. The two proverbial similes made use of in this and the preceding verse, to shew the inconveniencies arising from an ill-judged choice of those who are intrusted with the administration of public affairs, are very fit for the purpose: but the manner in which Solomon passes from the last to the main subject, for the sake of... read more

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