Ecclesiastes 10:6
Ecclesiastes 10:6 in Multiple Translations
Folly is appointed to great heights, but the rich sit in lowly positions.
Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.
folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place.
The foolish are placed in high positions, but men of wealth are kept low.
when they put fools in high positions, while those who are richly qualified are put in low positions.
Follie is set in great excellencie, and the riche set in the lowe place.
He hath set the fool in many high places, And the rich in a low place do sit.
Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place.
Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.
A fool set in high dignity, and the rich sitting beneath.
They appoint foolish people to have important positions, while they appoint rich people to have unimportant positions.
Berean Amplified Bible — Ecclesiastes 10:6
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Ecclesiastes 10:6 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
נִתַּ֣ן
הַ/סֶּ֔כֶל
בַּ/מְּרוֹמִ֖ים
רַבִּ֑ים
וַ/עֲשִׁירִ֖ים
בַּ/שֵּׁ֥פֶל
יֵשֵֽׁבוּ
נִתַּ֣ן
nâthan
H5414
to give
V-Niphal-Perf-3ms
הַ/סֶּ֔כֶל
çekel
H5529
folly
Art | N-ms
בַּ/מְּרוֹמִ֖ים
mârôwm
H4791
height
Prep | N-mp
רַבִּ֑ים
rab
H7227
many
Adj
וַ/עֲשִׁירִ֖ים
ʻâshîyr
H6223
rich
Conj | Adj
בַּ/שֵּׁ֥פֶל
shephel
H8216
poverty
Prep | N-ms
יֵשֵֽׁבוּ
yâshab
H3427
to dwell
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ecclesiastes 10:6
נִתַּ֣ן
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
V-Niphal-Perf-3ms
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
הַ/סֶּ֔כֶל
çekel
H5529
"folly"
Art | N-ms
This Hebrew word refers to foolish behavior or silliness, like in Proverbs 14:8, where it talks about the folly of fools. It can also mean a group of foolish people. English Bibles usually translate it as 'folly'.
Definition: folly
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: folly. See also: Ecclesiastes 10:6.
בַּ/מְּרוֹמִ֖ים
mârôwm
H4791
"height"
Prep | N-mp
This word refers to a high or elevated place, either physically or figuratively. It can describe a location, such as a mountain, or a state of being, like pride or haughtiness. It is used in various books of the Bible.
Definition: 1) height 1a) height, elevation, elevated place 1a1) in a high place (adv) 1b) height 1c) proudly (adv) 1d) of nobles (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 52 OT verses. KJV: (far) above, dignity, haughty, height, (most, on) high (one, place), loftily, upward. See also: Judges 5:18; Isaiah 22:16; Psalms 7:8.
רַבִּ֑ים
rab
H7227
"many"
Adj
This Hebrew word means a chief or captain, someone in charge. It is used in 2 Samuel 23:19 to describe a great and powerful man. The idea is one of leadership and authority.
Definition: adj 1) much, many, great 1a) much 1b) many 1c) abounding in 1d) more numerous than 1e) abundant, enough 1f) great 1g) strong 1h) greater than adv 1i) much, exceedingly
Usage: Occurs in 443 OT verses. KJV: (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold, things, a time), (ship-)master, mighty, more, (too, very) much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous, populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent). See also: Genesis 6:5; 1 Kings 11:1; Psalms 3:2.
וַ/עֲשִׁירִ֖ים
ʻâshîyr
H6223
"rich"
Conj | Adj
In the Bible, the Hebrew word for 'rich' describes someone with wealth or noble status. It is used to describe people who are wealthy, like the rich man in certain parables. The word is often translated as 'rich' in English Bibles.
Definition: adj 1) rich, wealthy n 2) the rich, the wealthy, rich man
Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: rich (man). See also: Exodus 30:15; Proverbs 18:23; Psalms 45:13.
בַּ/שֵּׁ֥פֶל
shephel
H8216
"poverty"
Prep | N-ms
This term refers to a state of humility or being in a lowly position, often used to describe someone's social or economic status. It appears in the Old Testament, such as in Psalms, to describe a low estate or condition. It emphasizes a sense of humility or modesty.
Definition: lowliness, low estate or condition
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: low estate (place). See also: Psalms 136:23; Ecclesiastes 10:6.
יֵשֵֽׁבוּ
yâshab
H3427
"to dwell"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
This verb means to sit or dwell, and can also mean to remain or abide. It's used in the Bible to describe people living in a place or staying with someone, like in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sit, sit down 1a2) to be set 1a3) to remain, stay 1a4) to dwell, have one's abode 1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited 1c) (Piel) to set, place 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to sit 1d2) to cause to abide, set 1d3) to cause to dwell 1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited 1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to) 1e) (Hophal) 1e1) to be inhabited 1e2) to make to dwell Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)
Usage: Occurs in 977 OT verses. KJV: (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry. See also: Genesis 4:16; Leviticus 25:18; Joshua 13:6.
Study Notes — Ecclesiastes 10:6
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Ecclesiastes 10:6 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ecclesiastes 10:6
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ecclesiastes 10:6
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 10:6
- Trapp's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 10:6
- Cambridge Bible on Ecclesiastes 10:6
- Barnes' Notes on Ecclesiastes 10:6
- Whedon's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 10:6
- Sermons on Ecclesiastes 10:6
Context — Wisdom and Folly
4If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest.
5There is an evil I have seen under the sun— an error that proceeds from the ruler:
6Folly is appointed to great heights, but the rich sit in lowly positions.
7I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves. 8He who digs a pit may fall into it, and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 28:12 | When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves. |
| 2 | Proverbs 29:2 | When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan. |
| 3 | Esther 3:1 | After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him to a position above all the princes who were with him. |
| 4 | Psalms 12:8 | The wicked wander freely, and vileness is exalted among men. |
| 5 | Proverbs 28:28 | When the wicked come to power, people hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous flourish. |
| 6 | 1 Kings 12:13–14 | And the king answered the people harshly. He rejected the advice of the elders and spoke to them as the young men had advised, saying, “Whereas my father made your yoke heavy, I will add to your yoke. Whereas my father scourged you with whips, I will scourge you with scorpions.” |
| 7 | Judges 9:14–20 | Finally all the trees said to the thornbush, ‘Come and reign over us.’ But the thornbush replied, ‘If you really are anointing me as king over you, come and find refuge in my shade. But if not, may fire come out of the thornbush and consume the cedars of Lebanon.’ Now if you have acted faithfully and honestly in making Abimelech king, if you have done well by Jerubbaal and his family, and if you have done to him as he deserves— for my father fought for you and risked his life to deliver you from the hand of Midian, but you have risen up against my father’s house this day and killed his seventy sons on a single stone, and you have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the leaders of Shechem because he is your brother— if you have acted faithfully and honestly toward Jerubbaal and his house this day, then may you rejoice in Abimelech, and he in you. But if not, may fire come from Abimelech and consume the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo, and may fire come from the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo and consume Abimelech.” |
| 8 | James 2:3–5 | If you lavish attention on the man in fine clothes and say, “Here is a seat of honor,” but say to the poor man, “You must stand” or “Sit at my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him? |
Ecclesiastes 10:6 Summary
[This verse is saying that sometimes, people who aren't very wise or smart can end up in important positions, while people who have a lot of money might not have as much influence as they think. This can be a little confusing, but it's just the way life works sometimes, as seen in Proverbs 16:9 and Romans 11:33. The important thing to remember is that true wisdom and worth come from God, not from wealth or power, as taught in Psalm 62:11 and 1 Corinthians 1:26-31.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that folly is appointed to great heights?
This phrase suggests that foolish or unwise people are often given positions of power or authority, as seen in Ecclesiastes 10:6, which can be a frustrating reality, but it is not a new phenomenon, as noted in Proverbs 26:7 and Proverbs 28:3.
Why do the rich sit in lowly positions in this verse?
The rich sitting in lowly positions, as stated in Ecclesiastes 10:6, may indicate that despite their wealth, they lack true influence or respect, possibly due to their own foolishness or the fleeting nature of wealth, as warned in 1 Timothy 6:17 and Proverbs 23:5.
Is this verse saying that wealth and power are always a sign of foolishness?
No, Ecclesiastes 10:6 is not making a blanket statement that all wealthy or powerful people are foolish, but rather observing that in some cases, foolish people can rise to positions of power, while the wealthy may not always have the influence they expect, as seen in Luke 12:15 and Matthew 19:24.
How can I apply the wisdom of this verse to my own life?
By recognizing that true wisdom and influence come not from wealth or power, but from a right relationship with God, as taught in Proverbs 9:10 and James 1:5, and by seeking to cultivate humility and wisdom in our own lives, as encouraged in Micah 6:8 and Colossians 3:2.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I have seen foolishness or wisdom in leadership in my own life or community?
- How can I balance the desire for wealth or success with the pursuit of true wisdom and humility?
- In what ways can I use my own influence or position to promote wisdom and righteousness, rather than folly or selfishness?
- What are some potential pitfalls or dangers of seeking power or wealth above all else, and how can I avoid them in my own life?
Gill's Exposition on Ecclesiastes 10:6
Folly is set in great dignity,.... Or "in great heights" (q); in high places of honour and truest; even foolish and wicked men; men of poor extraction, of low life, and of mean abilities and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ecclesiastes 10:6
Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place. The rich sit in low place - not in mere wealth, but in wisdom, as the antithesis to "folly" (for "foolish men") shows.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 10:6
Folly is set in great dignity; foolish and unworthy persons are frequently advanced by the favour or humour of princes into places of highest trust and dignity, which is a great reproach and mischief to the prince, and a sore calamity to all his people. The rich; wise and worthy men, as is evident, because these are opposed to fools in the former clause; such as are rich in endowments of mind. The ground of the expression may be this, that rich men are capable of all the advantages of men or books for the attainment of wisdom, and therefore are supposed to be wise in some measure. Sit in low place; neglected and despised, or removed from those high places to which their merits had raised them.
Trapp's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 10:6
Ecclesiastes 10:6 Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.Ver. 6. Folly is set in great dignity.] Sedes prima et vita ima, these suit not. Dignitas in indigno est ornamentum in luto. Royalty itself, without righteousness, is but eminent dishonour. When a fool is set in dignity, it is, saith one, as when a handful of hay is set up to give light, which with smoke and smell offendeth all that are near. When as the worthy sit in low place, it is as when a goodly candle (that on a table would give a comfortable and comely light) is put under a bushel. And the rich in low place,] i.e., The wise, as appears by the opposition, who, in true account, are the only rich, "rich in faith," "rich in good works," rich to Godward, who hath highly honoured and advanced them, though vilipended and underrated by men; digni etiam qui ditentur, worthy they are also to be set in highest places, as being drained from the dregs, and sifted from the brans of the common sort of people. Dignity should wait upon desert, as it did here in England, in King Edward VI’ s days, that aureum saeculum, in quo honores melioribus dabantur, as Seneca hath it, that golden age in which honours were bestowed on those that best deserved them. But in case it prove otherwise, as it often doth - the golden bishopric of Carthage fell to the lot of leaden Aurelius, and little Hippo to great St Augustine; Damasus, the scholar, was advanced to the see of Rome when Jerome, his master, ended his days in his cell at Bethlehem - yet virtue is its own competent encouragement, and will rather choose to lie in the dust than to rise by wickedness. Cato said he had rather men should question why he had no statue or monument erected in honour of him, than why he had.
The wise historian observed that the statues of Brutus and Cassius, eo praefulgebant quod non visebantur, were the more glorious and illustrious, because they were not brought out with other images in a solemn procession at the funeral of Germanicus. God pleaseth himself, saith Basil, in beholding a hidden pearl in a disrespected body. A rich stone is of no less worth when locked up in a wicker casket, than when it is set in a royal diadem. Salvian. Cartwright. Sen. Epist., 91. Tacit. Annal. Abstrusum in despecto corpore margaritum conspicatus.
Cambridge Bible on Ecclesiastes 10:6
6. Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place] For “great dignity,” literally great heights. The “rich” here are those who by birth and station are looked on as the natural rulers of mankind. Such men, like the ἀρχαιόπλουτοι (the “men of ancestral wealth”) of Greek political writers, (Aristot. Rhet. ii. 9; Aesch. Agam. 1043) a wise ruler associates with himself as counsellors. The tyrant, on the other hand, like Louis XI. exalts the baseborn to the place of honour, or like Edward II. or James I. of England, or Henry III. of France, lavishes dignities on his minions. So the writer may have seen Agathoclea and her brother; all-powerful, as mistress and favourite, in the court of Ptolemy Philopator (Justin xxx. 1).
Barnes' Notes on Ecclesiastes 10:6
The “evil” of Ecclesiastes 10:5 is here specified as that caprice of a king by which an unworthy favorite of low origin is promoted to successive dignities, while a noble person is degraded or neglected.
Whedon's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 10:6
6. Folly — That is, the foolish man. Great dignity — Hebrew, Many high stations.
Sermons on Ecclesiastes 10:6
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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From the Departure of the Jews From Babylon to Fadus the Roman Procurator by Flavius Josephus | Josephus recounts the tumultuous period following the assassination of Emperor Caius, where the senators deliberated on restoring democracy while the soldiers favored preserving th |
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Turning the Tide - Part 1 by Charles Stanley | This sermon emphasizes the importance of heeding God's warnings throughout history to avoid the consequences of disobedience. It reflects on the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden |
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Voices From Hell Speaking to America - Part 1 by Alan Cairns | This sermon emphasizes the importance of discerning between different sins and understanding that while all sin is damnable, not all sin is equal. It encourages believers to engage |
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If My People - Part 1 by Shane Idleman | This sermon emphasizes the importance of addressing controversial topics and recapturing the prophetic zeal in churches. It highlights the impact of the Johnson Amendment on church |
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I Was a Slave in Russia - Part 2 by John Noble | In this sermon, the speaker shares his experience of being in a prisoner camp in the Soviet Union. He describes how prisoners from different backgrounds and professions were brough |
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When the Wicked Man Rules by Shane Idleman | This sermon emphasizes the importance of the gospel permeating every area of our lives, including political engagement. It highlights the need for the church to address critical is |
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On Eagles' Wings Pt 492 by Don Courville | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the ongoing impeachment process against the president and the phrase "high crimes and misdemeanors" mentioned in the Constitution. The speaker |