Ecclesiastes 10:16 Meaning and Explanation
“Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A nation suffers when its ruler is immature and its leaders feast in the morning instead of attending to their duties.
What Does Ecclesiastes 10:16 Mean?
The Preacher pronounces a woe over a land cursed with weak leadership. A king who is a child, lacking maturity and judgment, and princes who feast at dawn rather than govern, leave the people exposed. The image is of rulers given to self-indulgence while their nation drifts.
Eating in the morning signals appetite ruling over responsibility, pleasure displacing duty. Leadership is a trust, and its neglect brings misery on the many. This sober warning honors the weight of authority and reminds every leader that those they serve flourish or suffer by how faithfully they keep their charge.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ecclesiastes 10:16
What does Ecclesiastes 10:16 mean?
A nation suffers when its ruler is immature and its leaders feast in the morning instead of attending to their duties.