SEV Biblia, Chapter 10:11
Si mordiere la serpiente no encantada; no es más el lenguaraz.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:11
Verse 11. The serpent will bite without enchantment - Ťjl alb 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 neighbour. "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." - COVERDALE. The moral of this saying is simply this: A calumniator is as dangerous as a poisonous serpent; and from the envenomed tongue of slander and detraction no man is safe. The comparing the serpent, Ťjn nachash, to a babbler, has something singular in it. I have already supposed that the creature mentioned, Genesis iii. 1, was of the genus simia. This has been ridiculed, but not disproved.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 11. Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment , etc.] See ( Jeremiah 8:17). Or rather, “without a whisper” f239 ; 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 goes from house to house, and, in a private manner, speaks evil of civil governments, of ministers of the word, and of other persons; and; in a secret way, defames men, and detracts from their characters: such an one is like a venomous viper, a poisonous serpent or adder; and there is no more guarding against him than against such a creature that bites secretly.
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
אם 518 ישׁך 5391 הנחשׁ 5175 בלוא 3808 לחשׁ 3908 ואין 369 יתרון 3504 לבעל 1167 הלשׁון׃ 3956
