Bible Strands
Ecclesiastes 10:6
Folly is appointed to great heights, but the rich sit in lowly positions.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The speaker addresses readers observing life under the sun, placing this observation between a ruler’s error and a description of social inversion. The words — נִתַּן (ni.Tan) means "it is put" or appointed, and הַסֶּכֶל (ha.Sekhel) translates to "folly." The thread — This pattern of misplaced elevation appears in Proverbs 28:12, Proverbs 29:2, and Esther 3:1. Why it lands — The text reports that foolish individuals occupy high office while wealthy people occupy low positions, asking the reader to acknowledge this visible disorder without assuming it reflects divine approval.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 28:12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.
- Proverbs 29:2 When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
- Esther 3:1 After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him to a position above all the princes who were with him.
- Psalms 12:8 The wicked wander freely, and vileness is exalted among men.
- 1 Kings 12:13 And the king answered the people harshly. He rejected the advice of the elders
- Proverbs 28:28 When the wicked come to power, people hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous flourish.
- Judges 9:14 Finally all the trees said to the thornbush, ‘Come and reign over us.’
- James 2:3 If you lavish attention on the man in fine clothes and say, “Here is a seat of honor,” but say to the poor man, “You must stand” or “Sit at my feet,”