Prediker 10:9

9 Wie stenen wegdraagt, zal smart daardoor lijden; wie hout klieft, zal daardoor in gevaar zijn.

Prediker 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.

Prediker 10:9 In-Context

7 Ik heb knechten te paard gezien, en vorsten, gaande als knechten op de aarde.
8 Wie een kuil graaft, zal daarin vallen; en wie een muur doorbreekt, een slang zal hem bijten.
9 Wie stenen wegdraagt, zal smart daardoor lijden; wie hout klieft, zal daardoor in gevaar zijn.
10 Indien hij het ijzer heeft stomp gemaakt, en hij slijpt de snede niet, dan moet hij meerder kracht te werk stellen; maar de wijsheid is een uitnemende zaak, om iets recht te maken.
11 Indien de slang gebeten heeft, eer der bezwering geschied is, dan is er geen nuttigheid voor den allerwelsprekendsten bezweerder.
The Dutch Staten Vertaling translation is in the public domain.