Ecclesiastes 10:9Whoever carves out stones may be injured by them. Whoever splits wood may be endangered thereby.
The setting
Ancient Israel, ~950 BC. Solomon observes quarry workers and woodcutters in Jerusalem's building projects...
The emotion here: observing life's harsh realities with weary wisdom
The original word
ʿāṣab (עצב) — to hurt, grieve, or cause pain through labor
Why it matters
Stone carvers used bronze tools that could shatter, sending deadly fragments flying
Read with care
What most readers miss in Ecclesiastes 10:9
This isn't about laziness - it's about how even necessary work carries inherent dangers
Common misconceptionPeople think this warns against hard work, but Solomon is acknowledging that even productive, necessary labor has risks we must accept.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Ecclesiastes 10:9
Bible Genome reading
Ecclesiastes 10:9 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Ecclesiastes 10:9 comes from the book of Ecclesiastes, written during the United Kingdom period. The setting is a royal palace. These words are attributed to Solomon. The dominant emotion in this verse is deciding, with a comfort power of 30% and a tone that is reflective. It belongs to the wisdom genre of biblical literature. Key themes include consequences, labor. Notable phrases: carves out stones; splits wood may be endangered.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same deciding
“"You shall have no other gods before me.”
— Deuteronomy 5:7
“"You shall not murder.”
— Exodus 20:13
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
— Matthew 23:12
“For God didn't give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.”
— 2 Timothy 1:7
“But Peter said, "Silver and gold have I none, but what I have, that I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!"”
— Acts 3:6
Your reflection
What does Ecclesiastes 10:9 mean to you, today?
A short note. A question. A prayer. Saved privately to your Soul Garden, dated, and tied to this verse forever.
Speak your heart →Get 3 verses for "deciding"
Delivered to your inbox right now. Free.