Ecclesiastes 10:8 Meaning and Explanation
“He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Every undertaking carries its own risk; the one who digs a pit may fall in, and the one who tears down a wall may be bitten by a snake hiding there.
What Does Ecclesiastes 10:8 Mean?
The Preacher turns to a cluster of working proverbs drawn from ordinary labor. Digging a pit and breaking through a stone wall were common tasks, yet each held hidden danger. The pit can collapse on its maker; a serpent can lurk in a broken hedge.
On one level this is plain caution about the hazards of work. On another it whispers a moral truth Scripture often echoes, that mischief plotted against others can recoil upon the one who plots it. Either way, it teaches a humble, watchful reverence, doing one's work carefully and leaving the outcome in God's hands.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ecclesiastes 10:8
What does Ecclesiastes 10:8 mean?
Every undertaking carries its own risk; the one who digs a pit may fall in, and the one who tears down a wall may be bitten by a snake hiding there.