Ecclesiastes 10:17

Authorized King James Version

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!

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אַשְׁרֵ֣יךְ
Blessed
happiness; only in masculine plural construction as interjection, how happy!
#2
אֶ֔רֶץ
art thou O land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#3
שֶׁמַּלְכֵּ֖ךְ
when thy king
a king
#4
בֶּן
is the son
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#5
חוֹרִ֑ים
of nobles
properly, white or pure (from the cleansing or shining power of fire; hence (figuratively) noble (in rank)
#6
וְשָׂרַ֙יִךְ֙
and thy princes
a head person (of any rank or class)
#7
בָּעֵ֣ת
in due season
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
#8
יֹאכֵ֔לוּ
eat
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#9
בִּגְבוּרָ֖ה
for strength
force (literally or figuratively); by implication, valor, victory
#10
וְלֹ֥א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#11
בַשְּׁתִֽי׃
and not for drunkenness
intoxicaion

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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