Ecclesiastes 10:20

Authorized King James Version

Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
גַּ֣ם
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
#2
בְּמַדָּֽעֲךָ֗
no not in thy thought
intelligence or consciousness
#3
מֶ֚לֶךְ
not the king
a king
#4
אַל
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
#5
תְּקַלֵּ֖ל
Curse
to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.)
#6
וּבְחַדְרֵי֙
in thy bedchamber
an apartment (usually literal)
#7
מִשְׁכָּ֣בְךָ֔
a bed (figuratively, a bier); abstractly, sleep; by euphemism, carnal intercourse
#8
אַל
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
#9
תְּקַלֵּ֖ל
Curse
to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.)
#10
עָשִׁ֑יר
not the rich
rich, whether literal or figurative (noble)
#11
כִּ֣י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#12
ע֤וֹף
for a bird
a bird (as covered with feathers, or rather as covering with wings), often collectively
#13
הַשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙
of the air
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
#14
יוֹלִ֣יךְ
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#15
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#16
הַקּ֔וֹל
the voice
a voice or sound
#17
וּבַ֥עַל
and that which hath
a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)
#18
הכְּנָפַ֖יִם
wings
an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bedclothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinna
#19
יַגֵּ֥יד
shall tell
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
#20
דָּבָֽר׃
the matter
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

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

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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