Ecclesiastes 10:10

Footnotes

1. 27 The term “ax head” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for clarity. The preceding noun “iron” functions as a metonymy of material (i.e., iron) for the object with which it is associated (i.e., ax head).
2. 28 Heb “he”; the referent (the workman) is implied, and has been specified in the translation for clarity
3. 29 The verb קלל in the Pilpel means “to sharpen; to make a blade sharp” ( קלל 1). This denominative verb is derived from the rare noun II קָלַל “smooth; shiny” (referring to bronze; Ezek 1:7; Dan 10:6; ). Sharpening the blade or head of a bronze ax will make it smooth and shiny. It is not derived from I קָלַל (qalal) “to treat light” or the noun I קְלָלָה (qélalah) “curse.” Nor is it related to I קָלַל “to shake” (Ezek 21:26); cf. . 886 קָלַל 2 erroneously relates it to I קָלַל, suggesting “to whet” or “to move quickly to and fro.”
4. 30 Heb “face.”
5. 31 Heb “strength.” The term וַחֲיָלִים (vakhayalim, conjunction + plural noun from חַיִל, khayil, “strength; efficiency”) is an example of a plural of intensification ( §124.e). The point is that it is a waste of a great deal of strength and energy. If a person is not smart, he will have to use a lot of energy and waste his efficiency.