As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil
This phrase uses a vivid metaphor to illustrate how something small and seemingly insignificant can have a disproportionately large negative impact. In ancient times, perfumer's oil was a valuable commodity, often used for anointing and as a luxury item. The presence of dead flies would spoil the fragrance, rendering it useless. This imagery is consistent with the biblical theme of purity and the need to maintain holiness, as seen in Leviticus 11:20-23, where certain insects are deemed unclean. The metaphor also reflects the cultural understanding of the time, where cleanliness and purity were highly valued, especially in religious practices.

so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor
This part of the verse highlights the destructive power of folly, even when it is minor. In the wisdom literature of the Bible, folly is often contrasted with wisdom, as seen in Proverbs 10:1 and throughout the book of Proverbs. Wisdom and honor are attributes that are highly esteemed, yet the verse warns that even a small amount of foolishness can undermine them. This concept is echoed in 1 Corinthians 5:6, where a little leaven is said to leaven the whole lump, illustrating how a small negative influence can corrupt the whole. The verse serves as a cautionary reminder of the importance of vigilance in maintaining one's character and reputation, aligning with the biblical call to live wisely and honorably.

1. Solomon
Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom, wealth, and writings.

2. Perfumer
A craftsman in ancient times who created fragrant oils and perfumes, highly valued in biblical culture for anointing and ceremonial purposes.

3. Dead Flies
Symbolic of small, seemingly insignificant things that can cause significant damage or corruption.

4. Wisdom and Honor
Central themes in Ecclesiastes, representing the pursuit of a life aligned with God's principles and the respect that comes from living wisely.

5. Folly
Represents foolishness or a lack of good judgment, often contrasted with wisdom throughout the book of Ecclesiastes.The Power of Small Things
Just as dead flies can ruin a batch of perfume, small acts of folly can tarnish a person's reputation and negate their wisdom and honor.

Guarding Against Folly
Believers are called to be vigilant in their actions and decisions, understanding that even minor lapses in judgment can have significant consequences.

Pursuing Wisdom
The pursuit of wisdom should be a daily endeavor, seeking God's guidance through prayer and scripture to avoid the pitfalls of folly.

The Value of Reputation
A good reputation is precious and should be protected by living a life of integrity and wisdom.

Reflecting Christ in All Things
As Christians, our actions should reflect Christ, ensuring that our lives are a testament to His wisdom and honor.Verses 1-3. - Section 11. A little folly mars the effect of wisdom, and is sure to make itself conspicuous. Verse 1. - Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savor. This is a metaphorical confirmation of the truth enunciated at the end of the last chapter, "One sinner destroyeth much good." It is like the apostle's warning to his converts, "A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump" (1 Corinthians 5:6). The Hebrew expression is literally, "flies of death," which may mean either "dead flies," as in our version and the Vulgate (muses morientes), or "deadly, poisonous flies," as in the Septuagint (μυῖαι θανατοῦσαι). The latter rendering seems preferable, if we regard the use of similar compound phrases, e.g., "instruments of death" (Psalm 7:14: [13]); "snares of death" (Psalm 18:5); and in New Testament Greek, ἡ πληγὴ τοῦ θανάτου, "the death-stroke" (Revelation 13:3, 12). The flies meant are such as are poisonous in their bite, or carry infection with them. Such insects corrupt anything which they touch - food, ointment, whether they perish where they alight or not. They, as the Hebrew says, make to stink, make to ferment, the oil of the perfumer. The singular verb is here used with the plural subject to express the unity of the individuals, "flies" forming one complete idea. The Septuagint rendering omits one of the verbs: Σαμπιοῦσι σκευασίαν ἐλαίου ἡδύσματος, "Corrupt a preparation of sweet ointment." The point, of course, is the comparative insignificance of the cause which spoils a costly substance compounded with care and skill. Thus little faults mar great characters and reputations. "A good name is better than precious ointment" (Ecclesiastes 7:1), but a good name is ruined by follies, and then it stinks in men's nostrils. The term, "ointment of the apothecary," is used by Moses (Exodus 30:25, etc.) in describing the holy chrism which was reserved for special occasions. So doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honor. The meaning of the Authorized Version is tolerably correct, but the actual rendering will hardly stand, and one wants some verb to govern "him that," etc. The other versions vary. Septuagint, "A little wisdom is more precious (τίμιον) than great glory of folly;" Vulgate, "More precious are wisdom and glory than small and short-lived folly;" Jerome, "Precious above wisdom and glory is a little folly." This last interpretation proceeds upon the idea that such "folly" is at any rate free from pride, and has few glaring faults. "Dulce est desipere in loco," says Horace ('Carm.,' 4:12. 28). But the original is best translated thus: "More weighty than wisdom, than honor, is a little folly." It is a painful fact that a little folly, one foolish act, one silly peculiarity of manner or disposition, will suffice to impair the real value of a matt's wisdom and the estimation in which he was held. The little clement of foolishness, like the little insect in the ointment, obscures the real excellence of the man, and deprives him of the honor that is really his due. And in religion we know that one fault unchecked, one Secret sin cherished, poisons the whole character, makes a man lose the grace of God. (For the same effect from another cause, see Ezekiel 3:20; Ezekiel 33:13.) Jerome sees in the "dead flies" wicked thoughts put into the Christian's mind by Beelzebub, "the lord of flies."

Parallel Commentaries ...


As dead
מָ֔וֶת (mā·weṯ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4194: Death, the dead, their place, state, pestilence, ruin

flies
זְב֣וּבֵי (zə·ḇū·ḇê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 2070: A fly

bring
יַבִּ֖יעַ (yab·bî·a‘)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5042: To gush forth, to utter, to emit

a stench
יַבְאִ֥ישׁ (yaḇ·’îš)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 887: To smell bad, to be offensive

to the perfumer’s
רוֹקֵ֑חַ (rō·w·qê·aḥ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7543: To mix or compound oil or ointment

oil,
שֶׁ֣מֶן (še·men)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8081: Grease, liquid, richness

so a little
מְעָֽט׃ (mə·‘āṭ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 4592: A little, fewness, a few

folly
סִכְל֥וּת (siḵ·lūṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5531: Silliness

outweighs
יָקָ֛ר (yā·qār)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 3368: Precious, rare, splendid, weighty

wisdom
מֵחָכְמָ֥ה (mê·ḥā·ḵə·māh)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2451: Wisdom

and honor.
מִכָּב֖וֹד (mik·kā·ḇō·wḏ)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3519: Weight, splendor, copiousness


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OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 10:1 Dead flies cause the oil (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.)