Ecclesiastes 10:8
He who digs a pit may fall into it, and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake.
Majority Standard Bible
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 slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.
9The one who quarries stones may be injured by them, and he who splits logs endangers himself.
Cross References
Judges 9:53But a woman dropped an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head, crushing his skull.
2 Samuel 18:15And ten young men who carried Joab’s armor surrounded Absalom, struck him, and killed him.
Psalms 7:15He has dug a hole and hollowed it out; he has fallen into a pit of his own making.
Psalms 9:15The nations have fallen into a pit of their making; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden.
Amos 5:19It will be like a man who flees from a lion, only to encounter a bear, or who enters his house and rests his hand against the wall, only to be bitten by a snake.
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 →