Ecclesiastes 10 Footnotes

10:7 Some would say that this verse shows prejudice in favor of the aristocracy and against people of humbler backgrounds. But 4:13 shows respect for a lowborn person who has drive and ability. The “slaves” in this verse were people who had neither dignity nor competence and yet were in a position of authority (Pr 19:10). They may be highborn, but in their character they were fit only for menial service. Another possibility is to view this verse against the background of Israel’s military ventures, in which the king’s servant might be mounted while a defeated and captured prince of some subjugated nation must walk.

10:19 “Money is the answer for everything” looks like the ultimate expression of cynical greed. In reality, it only makes the point that people do need some money in order to get along in life. Ec 2:1-11 and 6:1-6 have already shown that wealth is not the answer. But this verse gives balance to this picture: Affluence is not the source of happiness, but abject poverty is not a blissful condition (Pr 30:8-9).