SEV Biblia, Chapter 10:8
El que hiciere el hoyo caerá en él; y al que aportillare el vallado, le morderá la serpiente.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:8
Verse 8. Whoso breaketh a hedge, a serpent shall bite him. - While spoiling his neighbour's property, he himself may come to greater mischief: while pulling out the sticks, he may be bit by a serpent, who has his nest there. Some have supposed that Ťjn nachash here means a thorn; perhaps from the similarity of its prick to the serpent's sting. He who forces his way through a hedge will be pricked by the thorns.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 8. He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it , etc.] This and the three following clauses are proverbial expressions, teaching men to be wise and cautious, lest by their conduct they bring mischief upon themselves; as it often is, the one that digs a pit for another, falls into it himself, as the wise man’s father before him had observed, ( Psalm 7:15,16 9:15,16); as kings that lay snares for their people, and subjects that plot against their sovereign; or courtiers that form schemes for the rain of those that are in their way; or any man that devises mischief against another, frequently so it is, that the same befalls them; as Haman, who prepared a gallows for Mordecai, was hanged on it himself; and whoso breaketh an hedge a serpent shall bite him ; which often lies hid in fences, in old walls, and rotten hedges f238 , ( Amos 5:19 Acts 28:3); so he that breaks down the hedges and fences of kingdoms and commonwealths, and breaks through the fundamental laws of a civil constitution, and especially that transgresses the laws of God, moral or civil, may expect to smart for it. Jarchi interprets this hedge of the sayings of their wise men, which those that transgress shall suffer death by the hand of heaven: but it would be much better to apply it to the doctrines contained in the word of God, which are a hedge and fence to the church of God, and whoever transgress them will suffer for it; (see 2 John 8,9); The Targum, by the “serpent”, understands an ungodly king, who bites like a serpent, into whose hands such transgressors shall be delivered: and some have thought of the old serpent the devil, as Alshech, who deceived Adam and Eve.
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
חפר 2658 גומץ 1475 בו יפול 5307 ופרץ 6555 גדר 1447 ישׁכנו 5391 נחשׁ׃ 5175
