Amplified Bible
Ecclesiastes 10:14
14Yet the fool multiplies words, though no man knows what will happen, and who can tell him what will come after he is gone?
Ecclesiastes 10:14 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?
- New International Version (NIV)and fools multiply words. No one knows what is coming— who can tell someone else what will happen after them?
- English Standard Version (ESV)A fool multiplies words, though no man knows what is to be, and who can tell him what will be after him?
- New King James Version (NKJV)A fool also multiplies words. No man knows what is to be; Who can tell him what will be after him?
Context of Ecclesiastes 10:14
12The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious and win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him; 13the beginning of his talking is foolishness and the end of his talk is wicked madness. Yet the fool multiplies words, though no man knows what will happen, and who can tell him what will come after he is gone? 15The labor of a fool so wearies him [because he is ignorant] that he does not even know how to go to a city. 16Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child and when your [incompetent] officials and princes feast in the morning.
Read all of Ecclesiastes 10Ecclesiastes 10:14 word by word
וְהַסָּכָ֖ל יַרְבֶּ֣ה דְבָרִ֑ים לֹא־יֵדַ֤ע הָאָדָם֙ מַה־שֶׁיִּֽהְיֶ֔ה וַאֲשֶׁ֤ר יִֽהְיֶה֙ מֵֽאַחֲרָ֔יו מִ֖י יַגִּ֥יד לֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 10:14
- Ecclesiastes 5:3For the dream comes through much effort, and the voice of the fool through many words.
- Proverbs 10:19When there are many words, transgression and offense are unavoidable, But he who controls his lips and keeps thoughtful silence is wise.
- Proverbs 15:2The tongue of the wise speaks knowledge that is pleasing and acceptable, But the [babbling] mouth of fools spouts folly.
- Job 34:37For he adds rebellion [in his unsubmissive, defiant attitude toward God] to his [unacknowledged] sin; He claps his hands among us [in open mockery and contempt of God], And he multiplies his words [of accusation] against God.’ ”
- Job 35:16Job uselessly opens his mouth And multiplies words without knowledge [drawing the worthless conclusion that the righteous have no more advantage than the wicked].”
- Ecclesiastes 3:22So I have seen that there is nothing better than that a man should be happy in his own works and activities, for that is his portion (share). For who will bring him [back] to see what will happen after he is gone?
- Ecclesiastes 6:12For who [limited by human wisdom] knows what is good for man during his lifetime, during the few days of his futile life? He spends them like a shadow [staying busy, but achieving nothing of lasting value]. For who can tell a man what will happen after him [to his work, his treasure, his plans] under the sun [after his life is over]?
- Ecclesiastes 8:7For no one knows what will happen; So who can tell him how and when it will happen?
- James 4:13Come now [and pay attention to this], you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and carry on our business and make a profit.”
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 10:14
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 14A man cannot tell what shall be - A foolish babbling man will talk on every subject, though he can say as little on the past, as he can on the future.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 14Full of words - Confident talking of the future is indicated rather than mere loquacity. Compare James 4:13.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 11-15Verses 11-15 There is a practice in the East, of charming serpents by music. The babbler's tongue is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison; and contradiction only makes it the more violent. We must find the way to keep him gentle. But by rash, unprincipled, or slanderous talk, he brings open or secret vengeance upon himself. Would we duly consider our own ignorance as to future events, it would cut off many idle words which we foolishly multiply. Fools…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 14the fool multiplies words: Fools often speak about nothing important (see Ecclesiastes 5:3; 6:11; Proverbs 10:19; 17:28). who can tell him what will come after him?: Wise people avoid foolish talk and its consequences (see James 4:13–16).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1414. full of words--(Ec 5:2). a man cannot tell what shall be--(Ec 3:22; 6:12; 8:7; 11:2; Pr 27:1). If man, universally (including the wise man), cannot foresee the future, much less can the fool; his "many words" are therefore futile.Read the comment
Topics related to Ecclesiastes 10:14
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 10
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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