Ecclesiastes 10:9

9 Whosoever moves the stones shall have tribulation along with it, and he that cuts the firewood shall be endangered by it.

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 saw slaves upon horses, and princes walking as slaves upon the earth.
8 He that digs a pit shall fall into it, and whosoever breaks a hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
9 Whosoever moves the stones shall have tribulation along with it, and he that cuts the firewood shall be endangered by it.
10 If the iron is blunt, and he does not whet the edge, then he must put forth more strength, but the advantages of wisdom excel.
11 If the serpent bites without being enchanted, then the babbler is no more.
The Jubilee Bible (from the Scriptures of the Reformation), edited by Russell M. Stendal, Copyright © 2000, 2001, 2010