Ecclesiastes 10:20 · Bible study
Ecclesiastes 10:20 Commentary: The Secret That Flies
Hebrew · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Ecclesiastes 10:20 warns against cursing rulers even in private. Is it about secrecy or the heart? Study the Hebrew, context, and debated interpretations.
Research Summary
- Meaning: A warning against cursing rulers, even in private, because secrets inevitably come to light.
- Key words: Maddaʽ (mind/conscience), qalal (curse/lighten), ʿof haššāmayim (bird of the heavens), a proverbial image for revelation of hidden words.
- Main debate: Is this prudential advice to avoid discovery (Cambridge Bible, Lange) or a moral prohibition against internal disrespect (Matthew Henry, Gill)?
- Theological theme: The sovereignty of God over human speech and the call to honor those in authority as part of his order.
- Best use: To guide Christians in balanced speech about leaders, neither naive silence nor careless cursing, with confidence that God hears and will bring justice.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
Do not curse the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich even in your bedroom, for a bird of the air may carry your words, and a winged creature may report your speech.
WEB World English Bible 2000
Don’t curse the king, no, not in your thoughts; and don’t curse the rich in your bedroom, for a bird of the sky may carry your voice, and that which has wings may tell the matter.
KJV King James Version 1769
Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
Revile not the king, no, not in thy thought; and revile not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the heavens shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
Even in thy mind a king revile not, And in the inner parts of thy bed-chamber Revile not the rich: For a fowl of the heavens causeth the voice to go, And a possessor of wings declareth the word.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
Curse not the king, no, not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for the bird of the air will carry the voice, and that which hath wings will tell the matter.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
Detract not the king, no not in thy thought; and speak not evil of the rich man in thy private chamber: because even the birds of the air will carry thy voice, and he that hath wings will tell what thou hast said.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Ni aun en tu pensamiento digas mal del rey, ni en los secretos de tu cámara digas mal del rico; porque las aves del cielo llevarán la voz, y las que tienen alas harán saber la palabra.
Nem mesmo em pensamento amaldiçoes ao rei, nem também no interior de teu quarto amaldiçoes ao rico, porque as aves dos céus levam o que foi falado, e os que tem asas contam o que foi dito.
Ne maudis pas le roi, même dans ta pensée, et ne maudis pas le riche dans la chambre où tu couches; car l’ oiseau du ciel emporterait ta voix, l’ animal ailé publierait tes paroles.
Fluche dem König nicht in deinem Herzen und fluche dem Reichen nicht in deiner Schlafkammer; denn die Vögel des Himmels führen die Stimme fort, und die Fittiche haben, sagen's weiter.
Vloek den koning niet, zelfs in uw gedachten, en vloek den rijke niet in het binnenste uwer slaapkamer; want het gevogelte des hemels zou de stem wegvoeren, en het gevleugelde zou het woord te kennen geven.
Non maledire il re, neppur col pensiero; e non maledire il ricco nella camera ove tu dormi; poiché un uccello del cielo potrebbe spargerne la voce, e un messaggero alato pubblicare la cosa.
Ani w myśli twojej królowi nie złorzecz, ani w skrytym pokoju twoim nie przeklinaj bogatego; albowiem i ptak niebieski doniósłby ten głos; a to, co ma skrzydła, objawiłoby powieść twoję.
Даже и в мыслях твоих не злословь царя, и в спальной комнате твоей не злословь богатого; потому что птица небесная может перенести слово твое, и крылатая - пересказать речь твою.
你不可 咒詛 君王，也 不可心懷此念；在你臥房 也不可 咒詛 富戶。因為 空中 的鳥 必傳揚 這 聲音，有 翅膀 的也必述說 這事。
Say not a curse against the king, even in your thoughts; and even secretly say not a curse against the man of wealth; because a bird of the air will take the voice, and that which has wings will give news of it.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Ecclesiastes 10:20
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators broadly agree this verse warns against speaking evil of rulers and the wealthy, even in the most private settings. The reason, that a bird of the air may carry your voice, is almost universally read as a proverb for how secrets are uncovered. The Cambridge Bible treats it as worldly-wise counsel under a despotic government where informers are everywhere. Matthew Henry and Gill go further, arguing the prohibition extends to internal thoughts: the Hebrew term bemaddaʽeka (in your mind/conscience) suggests that even a wish of harm is forbidden. Keil and Delitzsch note that mad·da approaches the idea of conscience. Whether the emphasis falls on practical prudence or moral duty, all agree the verse condemns disrespect toward authority, because nothing hidden remains hidden.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Prudential caution: The context of despotic rule (Ecclesiastes 10:16–20) and the widespread ancient proverb about birds carrying words suggest practical advice to avoid informing and execution.
- Moral prohibition: The word <em>maddaʽ</em> (mind/conscience) and the parallel with Exodus 22:28 point to a command that forbids even internal disrespect, not merely speech that might be overheard.
- Ironic counsel: The Cambridge Bible and others note that the verse follows sharp criticism of the king, so the warning may be ironic—the sage pretends to advise prudence while exposing the corruption that makes such prudence necessary.
What is clear: The verse explicitly forbids cursing the king and the rich, especially in private, and warns that hidden words may become known.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning of 'in thy thought' (bemaddaʽeka) | The Hebrew word refers to the inner mind or conscience, not just the tongue. | Some (e.g., Cambridge Bible) see it as a practical warning against even thinking aloud in a place where spies might hear; others (e.g., Keil & Delitzsch, Gill) argue it forbids internal wishes of evil, approaching a moral prohibition. |
| Purpose of the warning | The verse warns that curses spoken against authorities may be exposed. | One view: it is worldly-wise caution for survival under despotic regimes. Another view: it is a religious command rooted in honoring God's appointed order (Exodus 22:28). |
| Interpretation of the bird with wings | All see it as a proverbial image for how secrets get out. | Some take it literally, carrier pigeons used in espionage (Adam Clarke). Others see it as a metaphor for spies or informers (Barnes, Cambridge Bible). Still others read it supernaturally: angels carrying news to heaven (Targum, Gill). |
| Tone of the passage | The verse is part of a section critiquing foolish rulers. | Cambridge Bible and modern readers often detect irony: the sage advises caution while exposing the injustice of a system that forces such caution. Older commentators (Matthew Henry, Wesley) treat the command straightforwardly as a serious prohibition. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Ecclesiastes 10:16, 20 contrasts foolish and wise rulers, childish princes who feast at dawn bring ruin, while noble leaders strengthen the land. Into this political critique comes verse 20, a warning that sounds like self-preservation. In the ancient Near East, kings maintained elaborate spy networks. The “bird of the air” carrying a voice echoes proverbs from many cultures: the Greek story of the cranes that betrayed the murder of Ibycus, and the Latin saying “walls have ears.” The Hebrew phrase for “bedchamber” (ḥadrê miškāvḵā) means the innermost sleeping room, the place of greatest privacy. Second Kings 6:12 gives a biblical parallel: the king of Aram believed Elisha could report his most secret bedroom words. The Targum to Ecclesiastes interprets the bird as the angel Raziel or Elijah flying to publish secrets, showing that even ancient readers heard a supernatural note here. The verse likely reflects real danger: rebellious talk in oppressive regimes could bring execution. Yet the counsel comes right after sharp criticism of bad rulers, suggesting the sage is neither naive nor servile, he knows when and how to speak truth to power.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants that affect the interpretation of this verse. Keil and Delitzsch mention a Masoretic scribal note regarding the Chethib/Kerî for the phrase “the possessor of wings” (baʿal kenāfayim), with a slight difference in the spelling of the definite article. This does not change the meaning.
Reception History
Early Christian writers used Ecclesiastes 10:20 to support the command to honor rulers, linking it to Romans 13 and Exodus 22:28. Medieval rabbinic commentaries frequently interpreted the bird as angels or the soul returning to God, a reading preserved in the Targum. During the Reformation, commentators such as Luther and Calvin stressed the moral duty to respect civil authority, even as they themselves wrote harsh critiques of princes. In modern homiletics, the verse is often cited to teach the power of the tongue (James 3) and the certainty that nothing is hidden from God (Luke 12:2, 3). Its ironic edge, advising caution while criticizing the system that demands it, has been appreciated in contexts where Christians live under oppressive governments.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Guard your heart’s thoughts. The Hebrew word maddaʽ points to the inner mind, not just the tongue. Disrespect begins internally (Matthew Henry).
- Honor authority, even flawed authority. Ecclesiastes 10:16, 19 criticizes childish rulers, yet the cure is not rebellion but respectful speech, or respectful silence.
- Secrets have wings. The proverb teaches that hidden words rarely stay hidden. Gossip about a boss, complaints about a pastor, muttered curses, they travel in ways we cannot anticipate.
Five-point outline
- Context. The land suffers under weak, indulgent rulers (vv. 16, 18). Tension is high.
- The command. Do not curse the king or the rich, even in your thoughts or bedroom.
- The inner dimension. “Thought” (maddaʽ) suggests conscience; the prohibition reaches beyond speech.
- The revealed secret. A bird, whether informer, providence, or angel, will carry the news.
- The wise response. Rather than rebel in word or thought, the wise trust God with justice.
Illustration hooks
- A workplace where a frustrated employee vents about a manager in the break room, only to discover a coworker repeated every word.
- A private conversation about a political leader overheard on a cell phone left on, or posted on social media years later.
- The ancient experience of speaking in a room with thin walls, where servants or children hear and repeat.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Does this mean I can never disagree with my government or church leaders?
- What if the king, or boss, or pastor, is genuinely corrupt or harmful?
- Is it wrong to even think critically about authority, or only to speak curses?
Leading a Discussion
This short verse sounds like streetwise caution, but it touches on the nature of our thoughts and words. The small group can explore whether the command is about survival under a tyrant or about a heart that honours God. Read aloud Ecclesiastes 10:16, 20, then focus on verse 20.
Discussion questions
- What exactly does this verse forbid? Where does it draw the line, speech, thoughts, or both?
- Why do you think the writer pairs “the king” with “the rich”? How do these two figures differ, and how are they similar in this context?
- The Hebrew word for “thought” here is maddaʽ (knowledge/conscience). How does that shape your understanding of the warning?
- Compare Ecclesiastes 10:20 with Exodus 22:28 and Ecclesiastes 7:21, 22. Do these passages add moral weight, or do they offer practical wisdom?
- The image of a bird carrying a voice is a proverb from many cultures. What does this image suggest about how secrets get exposed?
- Is this command about fear (being caught) or about reverence (honoring God’s authority structures)?
- How can we apply this verse today without becoming silent when leaders do harm?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Exodus 22:28 | “You shall not blaspheme God, nor curse a ruler of your people. |
| II Kings 6:12 | One of his servants said, “No, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.” |
| Ecclesiastes 7:21 | Also don’t take heed to all words that are spoken, lest you hear your servant curse you; |
| Ecclesiastes 7:22 | for often your own heart knows that you yourself have likewise cursed others. |
| Isaiah 8:21 | They will pass through it, very distressed and hungry. It will happen that when they are hungry, they will worry, and curse their king and their God. They will turn their faces upward, |
| Luke 10:40 | But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she came up to him, and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister left me to serve alone? Ask her therefore to help me.” |
| Luke 12:2 | But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. |
| Luke 12:3 | Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light. What you have spoken in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
10 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke notes that God has special care for civil government and will reveal hidden plans to stop those who try to harm it. This protection ensures such attempts fail despite being kept secret.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes notes that foolish rulers cause a nation to fail because of their weakness and laziness. He says a person of noble character brings prosperity to that state.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
Christians who hold this view point to Ecclesiastes 10:20, while others emphasize similar verses. Both seek to be faithful to Scripture. You may find hope in Christ and the resurrection.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Bible notes stress that no secret is truly hidden from God, not even a whispered curse in private. God can use the smallest and most unlikely agents, such as a bird, to carry words and expose what was spoken in secret. No thought or word is safe from being brought to light.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill's distinctive point is that the command against cursing the king extends even to secret thoughts and the privacy of one's own bedchamber, because no disloyalty stays hidden. Even the quietest whisper, he warns, can reach the king through unexpected means, whether human informants or, as the verse hyperbolically suggests, the birds themselves.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
Christians who hold this view point to Ecclesiastes 10:20, while others understand it as pointing to deeper spiritual realities. Both seek to be faithful to Scripture.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil and Delitzsch note that speaking badly about leaders or the rich in private can cause harm because people may spread those words. This teaches us to be careful with our speech even when we think no one is listening.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange argues that this passage forms a deliberate three-part contrast between the wise man’s tranquil patience and the fool’s arrogant, loquacious nature. The wise man preserves his peace through silence and quiet attentiveness, while the fool reveals himself through noisy outbursts, rash speech, and indolent behavior.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry notes that a land suffers greatly when its rulers are foolish and lazy. It also suffers when rulers indulge their appetites instead of working hard.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley stresses that even the most secret thought against a ruler will be discovered by unknown, unsuspected means. The king hears of it through hidden channels, as if a bird had overheard and carried the report. No privacy is safe from God’s providence.