Ecclesiastes 10:8
He who digs a pit will fall into it, and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The verse isn't just about general consequences; it's about the specific, insidious dangers that lurk within our own actions. Breaking down a wall might seem like progress, but it can expose you to unseen threats, like a serpent hidden in the stone, suggesting that even well-intentioned disruption can unleash unexpected perils.
This proverb appears after a section warning against the folly of trusting fools and the consequences of a ruler's rash decisions. The author moves into a series of practical, often stark, observations about life's dangers and the need for caution, especially when undertaking significant actions or challenging established orders. These warnings about unintended consequences set the stage for the verse, suggesting that disruptive actions, whether malicious or reformist, carry inherent risks.
Ever felt like your own plans ended up tripping you up? This proverb speaks directly to that feeling.
The first part of this verse, 'He who digs a pit will fall into it,' is a powerful image of self-inflicted destruction. It’s like setting a trap for someone else, only to stumble into it yourself. This isn't just about bad luck; it's often about the natural consequence of our own schemes. When we actively plot harm or set traps for others, we create a dangerous environment, and we're often the most vulnerable to its perils. Think of it like this: if you’re so focused on digging a hole for someone else, you might not see the edge of the pit you're standing on.
Breaking down walls seems like progress, right? But sometimes, what's hidden within brings unexpected danger.
The second image, 'a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall,' paints a picture of hidden dangers revealed through rash action. The ancient world saw walls and hedges not just as boundaries, but as habitats. Breaking through them, especially old stone walls or overgrown hedges, could disturb creatures like snakes that nested there. This proverb warns that when we disrupt established structures – whether they are societal norms, personal boundaries, or even faulty systems – we risk encountering hidden threats. It’s a call for caution, reminding us that not all disturbances lead to a better outcome; some simply unleash unseen perils.
Understand the original words
paḥaṯ · Hebrew Noun
A destructive trap or snare, often used metaphorically for malicious schemes or the self-inflicted consequences of one's own wickedness.
nāḥāš · Hebrew Noun
A creature often associated with deception, temptation, or divine judgment; throughout Scripture, it represents spiritual danger or the subtle onset of evil.
This passage shares the same proverb about digging a pit, highlighting the common theme that wicked schemes often backfire on the perpetrator.
Psalm 7:15This Psalm directly echoes the idea of a pit digger falling into their own trap, illustrating how evil plans can lead to self-destruction.
Isaiah 58:12This verse speaks of 'builders of the breach' and 'repairers of the ancient ruins,' offering a potential contrast to breaking down walls, suggesting that constructive rebuilding is wiser than destructive action that might unleash hidden dangers.
Proverbs 24:31This proverb describes a field overgrown with thorns and nettles, with a stone wall (similar to a hedge) breached, relating to neglect and ruin, and indirectly to the dangers that can arise from neglected or broken boundaries.
Matthew 7:2Jesus teaches that the measure we use will be used against us, a New Testament parallel to the principle that how we treat others, especially through cunning or destructive acts, will often result in similar consequences for ourselves.
wesleyEcclesiastes 10:8: "He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him."
10:8 An hedge - Whereby another man's fields or vineyards are distinguished, that he may either take away their fruits, or enlarge his own fields.
henryEcclesiastes 10:4-10: "If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences."
10:4-10 Solomon appears to caution men not to seek redress in a hasty manner, nor to yield to pride and revenge. Do not, in a passion, quit thy post of duty; wait awhile, and thou wilt find that yielding pacifies great offences. Men are not preferred according to their merit. And those are often most forward to offer help, who are least aware of the difficulties,…
The verse isn't just about general consequences; it's about the specific, insidious dangers that lurk within our own actions. Breaking down a wall might seem like progress, but it can expose you to unseen threats, like a serpent hidden in the stone, suggesting that even well-intentioned disruption can unleash unexpected perils.
This proverb appears after a section warning against the folly of trusting fools and the consequences of a ruler's rash decisions. The author moves into a series of practical, often stark, observations about life's dangers and the need for caution, especially when undertaking significant actions or challenging established orders. These warnings about unintended consequences set the stage for the verse, suggesting that disruptive actions, whether malicious or reformist, carry inherent risks.
This proverb appears after a section warning against the folly of trusting fools and the consequences of a ruler's rash decisions. The author moves into a series of practical, often stark, observations about life's dangers and the need for caution, especially when undertaking significant actions or challenging established orders. These warnings about unintended consequences set the stage for the verse, suggesting that disruptive actions, whether malicious or reformist, carry inherent risks.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Ecclesiastes 10:8 is available in the Sola app.
"He who digs a pit will fall into it, and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall." — The verse isn't just about general consequences; it's about the specific, insidious dangers that lurk within our own actions. Breaking down a wall might seem like progress, but it can expose you to u…
