Ecclesiastes 10:15
The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.
Original Language Analysis
עֲמַ֥ל
The labour
H5999
עֲמַ֥ל
The labour
Strong's:
H5999
Word #:
1 of 9
toil, i.e., wearing effort; hence, worry, whether of body or mind
הַכְּסִילִ֖ים
of the foolish
H3684
הַכְּסִילִ֖ים
of the foolish
Strong's:
H3684
Word #:
2 of 9
properly, fat, i.e., (figuratively) stupid or silly
תְּיַגְּעֶ֑נּוּ
wearieth
H3021
תְּיַגְּעֶ֑נּוּ
wearieth
Strong's:
H3021
Word #:
3 of 9
properly, to gasp; hence, to be exhausted, to tire, to toil
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 9
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 9
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָדַ֖ע
every one of them because he knoweth
H3045
יָדַ֖ע
every one of them because he knoweth
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
6 of 9
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
Cross References
Isaiah 57:1The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.Psalms 107:4They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.Psalms 107:7And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.Ecclesiastes 10:3Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.
Historical Context
Ancient Palestinian geography centered on walled cities as hubs of trade, protection, and governance. Rural populations regularly traveled to cities for commerce and festivals. Being unable to find the city indicated either severe ignorance or disorientation.
Questions for Reflection
- In what areas might you be expending enormous energy but moving in wrong directions due to lack of wisdom?
- How does knowing the 'way to the city'—life's proper goal and methods—prevent wasted effort?
- What is the spiritual 'city' believers should know how to reach, and what keeps people from finding it?
Analysis & Commentary
The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them (עֲמַל הַכְּסִילִים תְּיַגְּעֶנּוּ, amal hakseilim teyagge'ennu)—'the toil of fools wearies him,' from yaga (to be weary, exhausted, spent). Because he knoweth not how to go to the city (אֲשֶׁר לֹא־יָדַע לָלֶכֶת אֶל־עִיר, asher lo-yada lalekhet el-ir)—literally 'for he knows not to go to the city,' possibly meaning he lacks basic navigational knowledge or can't find the most basic destinations.
This proverb captures folly's futility: the fool exhausts himself through misdirected effort because he lacks fundamental orientation. The phrase 'how to go to the city' likely means basic competence—knowing the way to the central, obvious destination. In ancient agrarian society, 'the city' (ir) represented commerce, governance, civilization itself—not knowing the way there suggests profound incompetence. Alternatively, it may be metaphorical: lacking direction toward life's proper goal. Jesus used similar imagery: 'Enter by the narrow gate... the way is easy that leads to destruction' (Matthew 7:13-14). The fool labors vigorously but toward wrong ends, achieving exhaustion without accomplishment. Proverbs 10:23 states, 'Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.'