Ecclesiastes 10:8
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
He that digs a pit shall fall into it; and whoever breaks an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
American King James Version (AKJV)
He that digs a pit shall fall into it; and whoever breaks an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
American Standard Version (ASV)
He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh through a wall, a serpent shall bite him.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
He who makes a hole for others will himself go into it, and for him who makes a hole through a wall the bite of a snake will be a punishment.
Webster's Revision
He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoever breaketh a hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
World English Bible
He who digs a pit may fall into it; and whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
English Revised Version (ERV)
He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh through a fence, a serpent shall bite him.
Clarke's Ecclesiastes 10:8 Bible Commentary
Whoso breaketh a hedge, a serpent shall bite him - While spoiling his neighbor's property, he himself may come to greater mischief: while pulling out the sticks, he may be bit by a serpent, who has his nest there. Some have supposed that נחש nachash here means a thorn; perhaps from the similarity of its prick to the serpent's sting. He who forces his way through a hedge will be pricked by the thorns.
Barnes's Ecclesiastes 10:8 Bible Commentary
The figures seem to be taken from the work of building up and pulling down houses. In their general application, they recommend the man who would act wisely to be cautious when taking any step in life which involves risk.
Ecclesiastes 10:8
Breaketh an hedge - Rather: "breaks through a wall."
Serpent - The habit of snakes is to nestle in a chink of a wall, or among stones (compare Amos 5:19).
Wesley's Ecclesiastes 10:8 Bible Commentary
10:8 An hedge - Whereby another man's fields or vineyards are distinguished, that he may either take away their fruits, or enlarge his own fields.