KJV ORIGINAL
For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
The laughter of a fool is like the crackling sound of thorns burning under a cooking pot—it's loud and meaningless. This too is empty and worthless.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
The writer is saying that foolish laughter is loud but shallow, offering no real substance or lasting value.
📚 Historical Context
Solomon is writing about the futility of seeking meaning in shallow pleasures and foolish behavior. In ancient times, thorns were often used as quick-burning fuel that made a lot of noise but provided little heat and burned out fast. This metaphor would have been very familiar to people who cooked over open fires daily.
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