Ecclesiastes 10:17
Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
Original Language Analysis
אַשְׁרֵ֣יךְ
Blessed
H835
אַשְׁרֵ֣יךְ
Blessed
Strong's:
H835
Word #:
1 of 11
happiness; only in masculine plural construction as interjection, how happy!
בֶּן
is the son
H1121
בֶּן
is the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
4 of 11
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
חוֹרִ֑ים
of nobles
H2715
חוֹרִ֑ים
of nobles
Strong's:
H2715
Word #:
5 of 11
properly, white or pure (from the cleansing or shining power of fire; hence (figuratively) noble (in rank)
בָּעֵ֣ת
in due season
H6256
בָּעֵ֣ת
in due season
Strong's:
H6256
Word #:
7 of 11
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
בִּגְבוּרָ֖ה
for strength
H1369
בִּגְבוּרָ֖ה
for strength
Strong's:
H1369
Word #:
9 of 11
force (literally or figuratively); by implication, valor, victory
Historical Context
The 'son of nobles' refers to proper training and character formation—ancient royal education prepared princes for responsibility through tutors, advisors, and structured development. David's careful preparation of Solomon (1 Chronicles 22:5) exemplifies this ideal.
Questions for Reflection
- How does discipline in 'small' areas like eating times and purposes reflect broader leadership character?
- What does it mean to pursue strength and purpose rather than pleasure and indulgence in your daily rhythms?
- How can you cultivate 'noble' character formation even if not from 'noble' background?
Analysis & Commentary
Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles (אַשְׁרֵיךְ אֶרֶץ שֶׁמַּלְכֵּךְ בֶּן־חוֹרִים, ashreyikh erets shemalkekhben-chorim)—'happy are you, land, whose king is the son of nobles,' using ashrey (blessed, happy), the Psalms' beatitude formula. And thy princes eat in due season (וְשָׂרֶיךָ בָּעֵת יֹאכֵלוּ, vesarekha ba'et yokhelu)—'and your officials eat at the proper time.' For strength, and not for drunkenness (בִּגְבוּרָה וְלֹא בַשְּׁתִי, bigevurah velo bashti)—'in strength and not in drinking,' from sheti (drinking, intoxication).
The contrasting beatitude: a nation thrives under a king who is ben-chorim (son of nobles)—not about lineage per se, but maturity, training, and character. Such leaders, with disciplined officials who eat ba'et (at proper time—after work, not instead of it), pursue gevurah (strength, valor) rather than sheti (intoxication). The word gevurah can mean physical strength or moral fortitude—eating to maintain capacity for service. This describes leadership marked by self-control, timing, purpose. Proverbs 31:4-5 warns kings against wine, 'lest they drink and forget what has been decreed.' Disciplined leadership creates flourishing societies; indulgent leadership breeds ruin.