Ecclesiastes 10:11
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.
American King James Version (AKJV)
Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.
American Standard Version (ASV)
If the serpent bite before it is charmed, then is there no advantage in the charmer.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
If a snake gives a bite before the word of power is said, then there is no longer any use in the word of power.
Webster's Revision
Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.
World English Bible
If the snake bites before it is charmed, then is there no profit for the charmer's tongue.
English Revised Version (ERV)
If the serpent bite before it be charmed, then is there no advantage in the charmer.
Definitions for Ecclesiastes 10:11
Clarke's Ecclesiastes 10:11 Bible Commentary
The serpent will bite without enchantment - בלא לחש belo lachash, without hissing. As a snake may bite before it hiss, so also will the babbler, talkative person, or calumniator. Without directly speaking evil, he insinuates, by innuendoes, things injurious to the reputation of his neighbor. Gif the eddir bite in silence, noyhing lasse than he hath that privily backbiteth - Old MS. Bible. "A babbler of his tongue is no better than a serpent that styngeth without hyssynge." - Coverdale. The moral of this saying is simply this: A calumniator is as dangerous as a poisonous serpent; and from the envenomed tongue of slander and detraction no man is safe. The comparing the serpent, נחש nachash, to a babbler, has something singular in it. I have already supposed that the creature mentioned, Genesis 3:1, was of the genus simia. This has been ridiculed, but not disproved.
Barnes's Ecclesiastes 10:11 Bible Commentary
Rather: "If a serpent without enchantment (i. e., not being enchanted) bites, then there is no advantage to the charmer": i. e., if the charmer is unwisely slack in exercising his craft, he will be bitten like other people. See Psalm 58:4 note.
Wesley's Ecclesiastes 10:11 Bible Commentary
10:11 Without - If not prevented by the art and care of the charmer; which practice he does not justify, but only mentions by way of resemblance.
