Here the contrast is drawn between fools and rich persons, who occupy social positions that do not conform to their status. This is a case of “evil under the sun,” which Qoheleth refers to in the previous verse.

Folly as a noun represents an impersonal description of foolish people. See Good News Translation “stupid people.” Qoheleth says that they are set, from the verb meaning to “put” or “place.” This passive form is set lacks a definable subject, so we are at a loss to know what Qoheleth intends. However, the Hebrew passive form used here was originally a reflexive, meaning that it is possible to render it as “fools set themselves up [in high places].” The expression describes a situation that exists, rather than one which Qoheleth blames someone for causing. In some languages we can retain the passive without naming any agent: “Fools are [or, have been] placed in high places.” In other languages an impersonal “they” can be used in such contexts: “They have placed fools in high places.” It is also possible to substitute a different verb with the same sense. For instance, “Fools have reached high positions.”

In many high places describes social or political leadership, people in places of power and influence. Instead of “high” and “low,” some languages will prefer to speak of places for “big people” and “little people.”

A good translation here may be:

• Fools are found in many positions of power.

• Fools set themselves up in positions of authority.

• Fools are given places of honor and power.

And the rich provides the contrast with “folly.” And translates the Hebrew conjunction. To highlight the contrast the translator may wish to use another conjunction such as “while” or “but.” Throughout Proverbs there are many sayings suggesting that a rich person may well be a fool. Similarly poverty is often associated with the wise (see also 9.11). However, the context on this occasion indicates that the rich represent the elite and powerful in society, without meaning that they are fools. If this unusual use of rich causes misunderstandings, the translator can add another modifying adjective to make the point: “rich, important people.”

Sit (or, “dwell”) means that they occupy these positions, not that they are actually seated or living somewhere. Qoheleth seems to have purposely used two separate verbs, “set,” pointing to high position, and “sit,” pointing to low position. In contrast to “set [themselves],” the verb “sit” suggests inactivity. Translator should look for a similar opposing pair, but in some cases we may have to use one verb for both contexts.

A low place can describe a place or object that is physically or geographically low, but here it refers to a position of low social status and power, hence a term such as “lowly” is appropriate. Good News Translation “… while rich men are ignored” is not sufficiently close to the text’s sense.

Two models for translation are:

• … while the rich occupy lowly positions.

• on the other hand, those with wealth take the lowly places.

As a further comment, there appears to be a contrast here in the Hebrew text between “the fool” (singular) occupying “many high positions” (plural) and “rich people” (plural) occupying one “low place” (singular). In most languages this kind of a play on words will be very difficult to render. The main thrust of the verse is the reversal of expected roles, so these small distinctions in the original may have to be ignored in the translation:

• Foolish people have been placed in places of authority, while rich, important ones, take the lowly positions.

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Zogbo, Lynell. A Handbook on the Book of Ecclesiates. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .