Even as the fool walks along the road
This phrase suggests a public setting, indicating that the actions of the fool are visible to others. In ancient Israel, roads were common places for travel and interaction, symbolizing life's journey. The fool's behavior is not hidden but evident to all who observe him. Biblically, the "fool" often represents someone who rejects wisdom and understanding, as seen in Proverbs 1:7, where the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. The road can also symbolize the path of life, where choices reflect one's character and wisdom.

his sense is lacking
This indicates a deficiency in judgment or discernment. In the Hebrew context, "sense" often refers to the heart or mind, the center of decision-making. The fool's lack of sense is not merely intellectual but moral and spiritual, reflecting a failure to live according to God's wisdom. This aligns with Proverbs 28:26, which warns that those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe. The fool's lack of sense is a spiritual condition, highlighting the importance of seeking divine wisdom.

and he shows everyone that he is a fool
The fool's actions are self-revealing, making his folly apparent to all. This public display of foolishness contrasts with the wise, who are often discreet and prudent. In biblical literature, a fool's behavior is often characterized by arrogance, rashness, and a lack of self-control, as seen in Proverbs 12:23, where a prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly. This phrase underscores the biblical principle that one's actions reveal their true character, and it serves as a warning to live wisely and righteously.

1. The Fool
In the context of Ecclesiastes, the fool represents someone who lacks wisdom and understanding, often making poor decisions and displaying a lack of discernment.

2. The Road
Symbolically, the road represents the journey of life. The actions and decisions made along this path reveal one's character and wisdom.

3. Solomon
Traditionally attributed as the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon is known for his wisdom. His observations in this book often contrast wisdom with folly.

4. Jerusalem
While not directly mentioned in this verse, Jerusalem is the central place of Solomon's reign and the backdrop for much of his wisdom literature.

5. The Observers
The people who witness the fool's behavior, representing society's ability to discern wisdom from folly.The Visibility of Folly
The actions of a fool are evident to all. Our behavior on life's journey reveals our character and wisdom.

The Importance of Wisdom
Wisdom is not just intellectual knowledge but practical understanding that guides our daily decisions and interactions.

Seeking Godly Wisdom
As believers, we are called to seek wisdom from God, who generously provides it to those who ask in faith.

The Consequences of Foolishness
Foolish actions not only affect the individual but also impact those around them, often leading to negative consequences.

Living Wisely in Community
Our actions are observed by others, and living wisely can be a testimony to God's work in our lives.(3) That he is a fool.--In Hebrew, as in English, the antecedent of "he" may be taken differently, and so the Vulg. and other authorities understand the verse as meaning that the fool in his self-conceit attributes folly to everyone else. But it is better, as well as more obvious, to take the verse of the self-betrayal of the fool (Proverbs 13:16; Proverbs 17:28; Proverbs 18:2).

Verse 3. - Yea, also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way. As soon as ever he sets his foot outside the house, and mixes with other men, he exhibits his folly. If he remained at home he might keep his real ineptitude concealed; but such persons as he are unconscious of their inanity, and take no pains to hide it; they go where, they act as, their foolish heart prompts them. There is no metaphor here, nor any reference to the fool being put in the right path and perversely turning away. It is simply, as the Septuagint renders, Καί γε ἐν ὁδῷ ὅταν ἄφρων πορεύηται His wisdom (Hebrew, heart) faileth him. Ginsburg and others render, "He lacketh his mind," want of heart being continually taken in the Book of Proverbs as equivalent to deficiency of understanding (Proverbs 6:32; Proverbs 7:7, etc.). But Delitzsch and Wright consider the order of the words and the suffix to be against this view, and they translate as the Authorized Version, i.e. his understanding is at fault. And he saith to every one that he is a fool. The sentence is ambiguous, and capable of two interpretations. The Vulgate has, Cumipse insipiens sit, omnes stultos aestimat. Jerome quotes Symmachus as rendering, "He suspects all men that they are fools." According to this view, the fool in his conceit thinks that every one he meets is a fool, says this in his mind, like the sluggard in Proverbs 26:16, "Who is wiser in his own conceit than ten men that can render a reason." Another explanation, more closely in accordance with the foregoing clauses, takes the pronoun in "he is a fool" to refer to the man himself, se esse stultum (comp. Psalm 9:21 [20], "Let the nations know themselves to be but men"). As soon as he goes abroad, his words and actions display his real character; he betrays himself; he says virtually to all with whom he has to do, "I am a fool" (comp. Proverbs 13:16; Proverbs 18:2). It is hard to say to which interpretation the Septuagint inclines, giving, Καὶ α} λογιεῖται πάντα ἀφροσύνη ἐστίν, "And all that he will think is folly."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Even
וְגַם־ (wə·ḡam-)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

as the fool
כְּשֶׁסָּכָ֥ל‪‬ (kə·šes·sā·ḵāl)
Preposition-k, Pronoun - relative | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5530: A fool

walks
הֹלֵ֖ךְ (hō·lêḵ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

along the road,
בַּדֶּ֛רֶךְ (bad·de·reḵ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

his sense
לִבּ֣וֹ (lib·bōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

is lacking,
חָסֵ֑ר (ḥā·sêr)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2638: Needy, lacking, in want of

and he shows
וְאָמַ֥ר (wə·’ā·mar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

everyone
לַכֹּ֖ל (lak·kōl)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

that he
הֽוּא׃ (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

is a fool.
סָכָ֥ל (sā·ḵāl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5530: A fool


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OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 10:3 Yes also when the fool walks (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.)