EGW → Biblical Foundation
Select an Ellen White book from the sidebar to see each passage mapped to the Bible verses it amplifies, cites, or echoes.
Scripture Index
Ellen White & Bible Cross-Reference
Ecclesiastes 10:6
"Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place."
"In the anguish of bitter reflection on the evil of his course, Solomon was constrained to declare, “Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.” “There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler: folly is set in great dignity.” PK 85.1"
EGW directly quotes Ecclesiastes 9:18 and 10:5-7 (verse 6 is provided).
Ecclesiastes 10:10
"If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct."
"“There is in the world a great deal of hard, taxing work to be done; and he who labors without exercising the God-given powers of mind and heart and soul, he who employs the physical strength alone, makes the work a wearisome tax and burden. There are men with mind, heart, and soul who regard work as a drudgery, and settle down to it with self-complacent ignorance, delving without thought, without taxing the mental capabilities in order to do the work better. LS 352.3"
Both passages discuss the importance of applying wisdom and skill to work. Ecclesiastes 10:10 highlights the inefficiency of using a blunt tool without sharpening it, while EGW emphasizes the need to engage the mind and heart in labor to avoid it becoming a wearisome burden.
"A constant strain upon the brain while the muscles are inactive, enfeebles the nerves and gives to students an almost uncontrollable desire for change and exciting amusements. When they are released, after being confined to study several hours each day, they are nearly wild. Many have never been controlled at home. They have been left to follow inclination, and they think that the restraint of the hours of study is a severe tax upon them; and because they have nothing to do after study hours, Satan suggests sport and mischief for a change. Their influence over other students is demoralizing.... CT 288.2"
The EGW passage discusses the consequences of overworking the brain without physical activity, leading to a desire for change and mischief. This thematically parallels Ecclesiastes 10:10, which speaks of the need to sharpen the iron (representing the mind) to avoid expending unnecessary strength. Both passages highlight the importance of proper preparation and balance to avoid negative consequences.
Ecclesiastes 10:16
"Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!"
"Solomon had written, “Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child!” Ecclesiastes 10:16 . Thus it was with the land of Judah. Through continued transgression her rulers had become as children. Isaiah called the attention of the people to the weakness of their position among the nations of earth, and he showed that this was the result of wickedness in high places. “Behold,” he said, “the Lord, the Lord of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water, the mighty man, and the man of war, the judge, and the prophet, and the prudent, and the ancient, the captain of fifty, and the honorable man, and the counselor, and the cunning artificer, and the eloquent orator. And I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them.” “For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings are against the Lord.” Isaiah 3:1-4, 8 . PK 323.2"
EGW directly quotes Ecclesiastes 10:16.
"thee, O land, when thy king is a child.” Ecclesiastes 10:16 . The popular enthusiasm in Luther's favor throughout all Germany convinced both the emperor and the Diet that any injustice shown him would endanger the peace of the empire and even the stability of the throne. GC 164.3"
Ellen White directly references Ecclesiastes 10:16 in this passage.
Ecclesiastes 10:17
"Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!"
"Wisdom's “ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.” Proverbs 3:17 . Let every youth in our land, with the possibilities before him of a destiny higher than that of crowned kings, ponder the lesson conveyed in the words of the wise man, “Blessed art thou, O land, when ... thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!” Ecclesiastes 10:17 . Ed 206.4"
Ellen White directly references Ecclesiastes 10:17 in this passage.
"Section 3—Health Foods “Eat ... for strength and not for drunkenness!” Ecclesiastes 10:17. Chapter 23—Medical Missionary Work in the Cities 7T 110 San Francisco, California, December 12, 1900 7T 110"
Ellen White directly references Ecclesiastes 10:17 in this passage.
"In many cases the faintness that leads to a desire for food is felt because the digestive organs have been too severely taxed during the day. After disposing of one meal, the digestive organs need rest. At least five or six hours should intervene between the meals, and most persons who give the plan a trial will find that two meals a day are better than three. MH 304.1"
This verse speaks of eating for strength and not for excess, which aligns with the passage's emphasis on giving the digestive organs rest and avoiding overeating.