Ecclesiastes 10:9

9 Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them; whoever splits logs may be endangered by them.

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 slaves on horseback, while princes walk on foot like slaves.
8 Whoever digs a pit may fall into it, and whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
9 Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them; whoever splits logs may be endangered by them.
10 If an ax is dull and one doesn't sharpen it first, then one must exert more force. It's profitable to be skillful and wise.
11 If a snake bites before it's charmed, then there's no profit for the snake charmer.
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