SEV Biblia, Chapter 10:1
¶ Las moscas muertas hacen heder y dar mal olor al ungí¼ento del perfumador; así una pequeña locura, al que es estimado por sabiduría y honra.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:1
Verse 1. Dead flies - Any putrefaction spoils perfume; and so a foolish act ruins the character of him who has the reputation of being wise and good. Alas! alas! in an unguarded moment how many have tarnished the reputation which they were many years in acquiring! Hence, no man can be said to be safe, till he is taken to the paradise of God.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 1. Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour , etc.] Such, as Jarchi observes, are in the winter season, which are weak and near to death, and get into precious ointment, prepared after the best manner, where they die, and corrupt and spoil it: or, “flies of deaths” f232 ; deadly ones, which have something in their nature poisonous and pernicious; which, when they light upon the most sweet and savoury ointment, give it an ill smell; [so doth] a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom [and] honour ; a good name is like precious ointment, valuable and fragrant; sin, which is folly, is like a dead fly; not only light and mean, and base and worthless, but hurtful and pernicious, deadly, and the cause of death; and what may seem little, a peccadillo, or, however, one single act of sin, may injure the character of a wise and honourable man, and greatly expose him to shame and contempt, and cause him to stink in the nostrils of men, ( Genesis 36:20); and to be reproached by men, and religion and government to be reproached for his sake. Thus the affair of Bathsheba and Uriah, what a slur did it bring on the character of David, so famous for wisdom and honour, for religion and piety? and the idolatry of Solomon, the wisest of men; Jehoshaphat, that good king, entering into affinity with Ahab; and pious Josiah going to war with the king of Egypt, contrary to the word of the Lord; with many other instances. This teaches how careful men eminent for gifts and grace should be of their words and actions; since the least thing amiss in them is easily discerned, and soon taken notice of, as the least speck in a diamond, or spot in fine linen, clean and white; and there are wicked and envious persons enough watching for their halting, glad to have an occasion against them, and improve everything to the uttermost: this is a caution to wise magistrates, honourable ministers of the word, and eminent professors more especially. The Targum is, “evil concupiscence, which dwells at the gates of the heart, is as a fly, and is the cause of death in the world; and corrupts a good name, which was before like to anointing oil, perfumed with spices:” and to the same purpose the Midrash. One of the names of Satan is Beelzebub, the lord of a fly; who, by his temptations, solicits to sin and folly, which produce the effect here mentioned, and therefore to be shunned as a deadly fly in the ointment, ( Matthew 12:24). Gussetius f233 renders it, “that which is precious and worthy of honour “proceeds” from wisdom; and folly “comes” from glory, “worldly glory”, in a little time.”
Matthew Henry Commentary
To preserve a character for wisdom. (Eccl. 10:1-3) Respecting subject and rulers. (Eccl. 10:4-10) Of foolish talk. (Eccl. 10:11-15) Duties of rulers and subjects. (Eccl. 10:16-20) Eccl. 10:1-3 Those especially who make a profession of religion, shoul keep from all appearances of evil. A wise man has great advantage ove a fool, who is always at a loss when he has anything to do. Sin is the reproach of sinners, wherever they go, and shows their folly.
Eccl. 10:4-10 Solomon appears to caution men not to seek redress in hasty manner, nor to yield to pride and revenge. Do not, in a passion quit thy post of duty; wait awhile, and thou wilt find that yieldin pacifies great offences. Men are not preferred according to their merit. And those are often most forward to offer help, who are leas aware of the difficulties, or the consequences. The same remark i applied to the church, or the body of Christ, that all the member should have the same care one for another.
Eccl. 10:11-15 There is a practice in the East, of charming serpents by music. The babbler's tongue is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison and contradiction only makes it the more violent. We must find the way to keep him gentle. But by rash, unprincipled, or slanderous talk, he brings open or secret vengeance upon himself. Would we duly conside our own ignorance as to future events, it would cut off many idle word which we foolishly multiply. Fools toil a great deal to no purpose They do not understand the plainest things, such as the entrance into great city. But it is the excellency of the way to the heavenly city that it is a high-way, in which the simplest wayfaring men shall no err, Is. 25:8. But sinful folly makes men miss that only way to happiness.
Eccl. 10:16-20 The happiness of a land depends on the character of it rulers. The people cannot be happy when their princes are childish, an lovers of pleasure. Slothfulness is of ill consequence both to privat and public affairs. Money, of itself, will neither feed nor clothe though it answers the occasions of this present life, as what is to be had, may generally be had for money. But the soul, as it is no redeemed, so it is not maintained with corruptible things, as silve and gold. God sees what men do, and hears what they say in secret; and when he pleases, brings it to light by strange and unsuspected ways. I there be hazard in secret thoughts and whispers against earthly rulers what must be the peril from every deed, word, or thought of rebellio against the King of kings, and Lord of lords! He seeth in secret. Hi ear is ever open. Sinner! curse not THIS KING in thy inmost thought Your curses cannot affect Him; but his curse, coming down upon you will sink you to the lowest hell __________________________________________________________________
Original Hebrew
זבובי 2070 מות 4194 יבאישׁ 887 יביע 5042 שׁמן 8081 רוקח 7543 יקר 3368 מחכמה 2451 מכבוד 3519 סכלות 5531 מעט׃ 4592
