Ecclesiastes 10:9

9 He who quarries stones may get hurt by them, he who chops wood puts himself in danger.

Ecclesiastes 10:9 Meaning and Commentary

Ecclesiastes 10:9

Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith
That carries them from the quarry, where they are dug; or takes them from a heap, where they lie; or that attempts to pull them out of a building, where they are put; or removes them from places, where they are set as boundaries and landmarks; all which is troublesome, and by which men get hurt; the stones fall upon them, or are too heavy for them, or they do what they should not do, and so bring themselves into trouble; as do all such persons who are for removing the boundaries of commonwealths and communities, and for changing laws, and altering constitutions; [and] he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby;
of cutting himself: so he that soweth discord among brethren, that makes divisions in families, neighbourhoods, kingdoms, and churches; see ( Proverbs 6:16 Proverbs 6:19 ) ( Romans 16:18 ) . Jarchi renders it, "shall be warmed" or "heated", according to the sense of the word, as he thinks, in ( 1 Kings 1:2 ) ; though he understands it of being profited by studying in the law and the commandments; of which he interprets the clause; and Ben Melech observes, that the word so signifies in the Arabic language; and Mr. Broughton renders it, "shall be heated thereby". The Targum paraphrases it,

``shall be burnt with fire, by the hand of the Angel of the Lord:''
or, however, he may be overheated and do himself hurt, as men, that kindle the flame of contention and strife, often do.

Ecclesiastes 10:9 In-Context

7 I have seen servants riding horses, while princes walk on foot like slaves.
8 He who digs a pit may fall into it; he who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
9 He who quarries stones may get hurt by them, he who chops wood puts himself in danger.
10 If the [hatchet's] iron [blade] is blunt, and [its user] doesn't sharpen it, he will have to exert more effort; but the expert has the advantage of his skill.
11 If a snake bites before it is charmed, the snake-charmer has no advantage.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.