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NASB | Ecclesiastes 10:1 Dead flies make a perfumer's oil stink, so a little foolishness is weightier than wisdom and honor. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ecclesiastes 10:1 Dead flies make the oil of the perfumer give off a foul odor; so a little foolishness [in one who is esteemed] outweighs wisdom and honor. |
Subject: "Flies" should read "given" |
Bible Note: Hi sid, Please help me out a bit if you would. You stated: “"Death given" (10.1) is about the death of Israel being prophesied in Verse 3.2. Matthew Henry and Andrew Fausset agree with this interpretation of Verse 3.2.” Can you please point me to your source on that? As far as I have read Matthew Henry’s commentary, I cannot see where he referenced Ecc. 3:2 in regards to Ecc. 10:1. I’m not saying he hasn’t, just that I haven’t seen it. Or are “you” claiming that Ecc. 10:1 is referencing Ecc. 3:2 based on your own interpretation? Also, if you would, please explain to me how Ecc. 10:1 can make any sort of sense if “flies” should read “given”? “(Death) ???GIVEN??? cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savor: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honor.” I am by no means qualified to interpret but my common sense tells me that the verse rendered your way lacks any real sort of meaning. Ecc 10:1-3 - In these verses Solomon shows, What great need wise men have to take heed of being guilty of any instance of folly; for a little folly is a great blemish to him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour, and is as hurtful to his good name as dead flies are to a sweet perfume, not only spoiling the sweetness of it, but making it to send forth a stinking savour. Note, 1. True wisdom is true honour, and will gain a man a reputation, which is like a box of precious ointment, pleasing and very valuable. 2. The reputation that is got with difficulty, and by a great deal of wisdom, may be easily lost, and by a little folly, because envy fastens upon eminency, and makes the worst of the mistakes and miscarriages of those who are cried up for wisdom, and improves them to their disadvantage; so that the folly which in another would not be taken notice of in them is severely censured. Those who make a great profession of religion have need to walk very circumspectly, to abstain from all appearances of evil, and approaches towards it, because many eyes are upon them, that watch for their halting; their character is soon sullied, and they have a great deal of reputation to lose.” -- Matthew Henry “He recommends wisdom to private persons, who are in an inferior station. 1. It is our wisdom to preserve our reputation, in managing our affairs dexterously (Ecc_10:1-3).” -- Matthew Henry WOS |