Ecclesiastes 10:1
Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern honor-shame cultures placed enormous value on reputation. A wise person's counsel shaped communities, resolved disputes, and guided kings (2 Samuel 16:23 describes Ahithophel's counsel as oracular). One foolish choice could permanently destroy this social capital—consider Rehoboam's folly in rejecting wise counsel, splitting the kingdom (1 Kings 12:1-19). The perfumer metaphor resonated in societies where spices and oils were luxury commodities, often worth their weight in silver. The Preacher warns that hard-won wisdom and honor remain perpetually vulnerable to compromise. Church history confirms this pattern: leaders falling through "small" sins—financial impropriety, sexual compromise, doctrinal deviation—destroying decades of faithful ministry. The Reformers emphasized perseverance—faith that doesn't endure through final faithfulness isn't saving faith (Calvin).
Questions for Reflection
- What "little folly" are you tolerating that could contaminate your witness and undermine years of faithfulness?
- How can you maintain vigilance against small compromises that seem insignificant but carry disproportionate destructive potential?
Analysis & Commentary
Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour (יַבְאִישׁ יַבִּיעַ שֶׁמֶן רוֹקֵחַ זְבוּבֵי מָוֶת)—the Hebrew zevuvei mavet (זְבוּבֵי מָוֶת, flies of death/dead flies) contaminate expensive perfumed oil (shemen roqeach, שֶׁמֶן רוֹקֵחַ, apothecary's ointment). The verb yav'ish (יַבְאִישׁ, cause to stink) emphasizes how small contamination ruins great value. Ancient perfumers mixed costly spices—myrrh, frankincense, cinnamon—with olive oil to create precious ointments. A single dead insect spoils the entire batch.
So doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour (יָקָר מֵחָכְמָה מִכָּבוֹד סִכְלוּת מְעָט)—likewise, a small amount of sikhlut (סִכְלוּת, folly) outweighs great chokmah (חָכְמָה, wisdom) and kavod (כָּבוֹד, honor/glory). One foolish act can destroy a lifetime reputation for wisdom. The asymmetry is sobering: building wise reputation requires years of consistent choices, but one foolish moment can demolish it. This anticipates Jesus's warning about little compromises: "he that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much" (Luke 16:10). James warns that the tongue, though small, can set great fires (James 3:5-6)—small folly produces disproportionate destruction.