Ecclesiastes 10:8
He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh through a fence, a serpent shall bite him.
JPS TaNaKH 1917
In The King James Version
He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
In Context
7I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.
9Whoso quarrieth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood is endangered thereby.
Cross References
Judges 9:53And a certain woman cast an upper millstone upon Abimelech's head, and broke his skull.
2 Samuel 18:15And ten young men that bore Joab's armour compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him.
Psalms 7:15(7-16) He hath digged a pit, and hollowed it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made.
Psalms 9:15(9-16) The nations are sunk down in the pit that they made; in the net which they hid is their own foot taken.
Amos 5:19As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; and went into the house and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him.
Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 10:5-12
Mutual Duties of Princes and Subjects. 4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences. 5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler: 6 Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place. 7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth. 8 He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh a hedge, a serpent shall bite him. 9 Whoso removeth stones… Read the whole commentary →