Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
(Ecc. 10:1-20)
Following up Ecclesiastes 9:18.
him that is in reputation--for example, David (2 Samuel 12:14); Solomon (1Ki. 11:1-43); Jehoshaphat (2Ch. 18:1-34; 2 Chronicles 19:2); Josiah (2 Chronicles 35:22). The more delicate the perfume, the more easily spoiled is the ointment. Common oil is not so liable to injury. So the higher a man's religious character is, the more hurt is caused by a sinful folly in him. Bad savor is endurable in oil, but not in what professes to be, and is compounded by the perfumer ("apothecary") for, fragrance. "Flies" answer to "a little folly" (sin), appropriately, being small (1 Corinthians 5:6); also, "Beelzebub" means prince of flies. "Ointment" answers to "reputation" (Ecclesiastes 7:1; Genesis 34:30). The verbs are singular, the noun plural, implying that each of the flies causes the stinking savor.
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
Proverbs 12:27
Ecclesiastes 9:18
Song of Solomon 2:15
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