Ecclesiastes - 10:7



7 I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking like servants on the earth.

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Ecclesiastes 10:7.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
I have seen servants upon horses: and princes walking on the ground as servants.
I have seen servants on horses, and rulers walking on the earth as servants.
I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking on the ground like servants.

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

I have seen servants upon horses,.... Which being scarce in Judea, were only rode upon by princes and great personages, or such as were in affluent circumstances; and therefore it was an unusual and disagreeable sight to see servants upon them, which was a token of their being advanced upon the ruin and destruction of their masters; a reigning servant is not only uncomely, but one of the things by which the earth is disquieted, and it cannot bear, Proverbs 30:21; the Parthians and Persians distinguished their nobles and the vulgar, freemen and servants, by this; the servants went on foot, and the freemen rode on horses (r);
and princes walking as servants upon the earth; degraded from their honour; banished from their thrones and palaces, or obliged to leave them, and reduced to the lowest state and condition: so David, when his son rebelled against him, and he was forced to flee from him, and walk on foot, 2-Samuel 15:30; Alshech thinks it may be a prophecy of the captivity of Israel, when they walked as servants on the earth, and the Gentiles rode on horses.
(r) Justin. e Trogo, l. 41. c. 3. Alex. ab Alex. Genial. Dier. l. 5. c. 19.

servants upon horses--the worthless exalted to dignity (Jeremiah 17:25); and vice versa (2-Samuel 15:30).

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