Ecclesiastes 10:3

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

Yea also, when the fool walketh by the way, his understanding faileth him, and he saith to every one [that] he is a fool.

Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

וְגַם־בַּדֶּ֛רֶךְ כְּשֶׁסָּכָ֥ל הֹלֵ֖ךְ לִבּ֣וֹ חָסֵ֑ר וְאָמַ֥ר לַכֹּ֖ל סָכָ֥ל הֽוּא׃

Transliteration

wə-gam-in hadderek when sākāl hōlēk, libbô ḥāsēr wə-ʾāmar to kōl sākāl he

Grammar Details

*wə*: conjunction - and
*gam*: particle - also/even
*hadderek*: definite article + masculine singular noun - the way/road
*kə-še-sākāl*: conjunction + relative particle + adjective - when/as the fool
*hōlēk*: qal participle masculine singular - walking/going
*libbô*: masculine singular noun with 3rd masculine singular suffix - his heart
*ḥāsēr*: adjective, masculine singular - lacking/deficient
*wə-ʾāmar*: conjunction + qal perfect 3rd masculine singular - and he says
*la-kōl*: preposition + noun - to all/everyone
*sākāl*: adjective, masculine singular - foolish
*hûʾ*: 3rd person masculine singular pronoun - he/it

Word Meanings

*hadderek*: the way/the road/the path
*sākāl*: fool/foolish one
*hōlēk*: walks/goes/travels
*libbô*: his heart/his mind/his understanding
*ḥāsēr*: lacking/deficient/wanting
*la-kōl*: to everyone/to all people

ℹ️

About this Translation

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

Formal EquivalenceSource: American Standard VersionBest for: Word studies and original-language research

🎯 Translation Approach

A highly literal, word-for-word translation (ASV, 1901) augmented with Strong's numbering to connect English words to underlying Hebrew and Greek terms for study.

Word-for-word

5/5

Readability

2/5

💎 Distinctive Features

Integrated Strong's numbering: Links English terms to underlying Hebrew and Greek words for deeper lexical study.
Formal equivalence: Prioritizes close alignment with source-language forms and structures.
Divine name rendering: Frequently renders the Tetragrammaton as Jehovah in the Old Testament, following ASV tradition.
Study-focused formatting: Optimized for reference and research rather than casual reading.

✅ Strengths

High fidelity to original languages
Includes Strong's numbers for precise word study
Consistent lexical choices aid exegesis
Stable, longstanding scholarly text

⚠️ Considerations

Archaic language reduces readability
Older textual basis compared to some modern translations
Strong's numbers are a concordance index, not full lexical definitions

👥 Who is this for?

Ideal for

Pastors and teachers
Seminary students
Serious Bible students
Readers conducting word studies
Those referencing Hebrew/Greek tools

Consider alternatives for

Casual readers
Children and early teens
ESL learners seeking simple English
Readers preferring contemporary language

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Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

Prov 13:16 : 16 Every prudent man worketh with knowledge; But a fool flaunteth [his] folly.
Prov 18:2 : 2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, But only that his heart may reveal itself.
Prov 18:6 : 6 A fool's lips enter into contention, And his mouth calleth for stripes.
Eccl 5:3 : 3 For a dream cometh with a multitude of business, and a fool's voice with a multitude of words.
1 Pet 4:4 : 4 wherein {G3739} they think it strange that ye run not with [them] into the same excess of riot, speaking evil of [you]:

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

Eccl 10:1-2
2 verses
83%
1Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to send forth an evil odor; [so] doth a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor.
2A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.
Prov 12:15-16
2 verses
80%
15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes; But he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel.
16A fool's vexation is presently known; But a prudent man concealeth shame.
Eccl 10:12-15
4 verses
80%
12The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
14A fool also multiplieth words: [yet] man knoweth not what shall be; and that which shall be after him, who can tell him?
15The labor of fools wearieth every one of them; for he knoweth not how to go to the city.
Prov 14:7-8
2 verses
80%
7Go into the presence of a foolish man, And thou shalt not perceive [in him] the lips of knowledge.
8The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way; But the folly of fools is deceit.
Prov 13:16
79%
16Every prudent man worketh with knowledge; But a fool flaunteth [his] folly.
Prov 19:3
79%
3The foolishness of man subverteth his way; And his heart fretteth against Jehovah.
Prov 15:21
78%
21Folly is joy to him that is void of wisdom; But a man of understanding maketh straight his going.
Prov 26:4-6
3 verses
78%
4Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also be like unto him.
5Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own conceit.
6He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool Cutteth off [his own] feet, [and] drinketh in damage.
Eccl 2:14-15
2 verses
78%
14The wise man's eyes are in his head, and the fool walketh in darkness: and yet I perceived that one event happeneth to them all.
15Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so will it happen even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then said I in my heart, that this also is vanity.
Prov 18:2
77%
2A fool hath no delight in understanding, But only that his heart may reveal itself.
Prov 29:11
77%
11A fool uttereth all his anger; But a wise man keepeth it back and stilleth it.
Prov 14:33
77%
33Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding; But [that which is] in the inward part of fools is made known.
Prov 10:8-10
3 verses
77%
8The wise in heart will receive commandments; But a prating fool shall fall.
9He that walketh uprightly walketh surely; But he that perverteth his ways shall be known.
10He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow; But a prating fool shall fall.
Prov 14:16
77%
16A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil; But the fool beareth himself insolently, and is confident.
Prov 17:28
76%
28Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; When he shutteth his lips, he is [esteemed as] prudent.
Prov 23:9
76%
9Speak not in the hearing of a fool; For he will despise the wisdom of thy words.
Prov 26:11-12
2 verses
76%
11As a dog that returneth to his vomit, [So is] a fool that repeateth his folly.
12Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.
Prov 17:24
76%
24Wisdom is before the face of him that hath understanding; But the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
Prov 17:16
76%
16Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, Seeing he hath no understanding?
Prov 24:7
75%
7Wisdom is too high for a fool: He openeth not his mouth in the gate.
Prov 10:23
75%
23It is as sport to a fool to do wickedness; And [so is] wisdom to a man of understanding.
Prov 28:26
75%
26He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool; But whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
Prov 13:20
75%
20Walk with wise men, and thou shalt be wise; But the companion of fools shall smart for it.
Prov 19:1
75%
1Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity Than he that is perverse in his lips and is a fool.
Prov 12:23
75%
23A prudent man concealeth knowledge; But the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
Prov 14:3
74%
3In the mouth of the foolish is a rod for [his] pride; But the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
Prov 14:24
74%
24The crown of the wise is their riches; [But] the folly of fools is [only] folly.
1 Cor 3:18-19
2 verses
74%
18Let no man deceive himself. If any man thinketh that he is wise among you in this world, let him become a fool, that he may become wise.
19For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He that taketh the wise in their craftiness:
Prov 15:14
74%
14The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge; But the mouth of fools feedeth on folly.
Prov 18:6
74%
6A fool's lips enter into contention, And his mouth calleth for stripes.
Eccl 6:8
73%
8For what advantage hath the wise more than the fool? [or] what hath the poor man, that knoweth how to walk before the living?
Prov 10:18
73%
18He that hideth hatred is of lying lips; And he that uttereth a slander is a fool.
Prov 8:5
73%
5O ye simple, understand prudence; And, ye fools, be of an understanding heart.
Eccl 7:6
73%
6For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.
Ps 49:10
73%
10For he shall see it. Wise men die; The fool and the brutish alike perish, And leave their wealth to others.
Prov 15:2
73%
2The tongue of the wise uttereth knowledge aright; But the mouth of fools poureth out folly.
Prov 10:14
73%
14Wise men lay up knowledge; But the mouth of the foolish is a present destruction.