American Standard Version
Ecclesiastes 12:11
11The words of the wise are as goads; and as nails well fastened are the words of the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.
Ecclesiastes 12:11 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.
- New International Version (NIV)The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails—given by one shepherd.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd.
- New King James Version (NKJV)The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd.
Context of Ecclesiastes 12:11
9And further, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he pondered, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs. 10The Preacher sought to find out acceptable words, and that which was written uprightly, even words of truth. The words of the wise are as goads; and as nails well fastened are the words of the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. 12And furthermore, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. 13This isthe end of the matter; all hath been heard: Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.
Read all of Ecclesiastes 12Ecclesiastes 12:11 word by word
דִּבְרֵ֤י חֲכָמִים֙ כַּדָּ֣רְבֹנ֔וֹת וּֽכְמַשְׂמְר֥וֹת נְטוּעִ֖ים בַּעֲלֵ֣י אֲסֻפּ֑וֹת נִתְּנ֖וּ מֵרֹעֶ֥ה אֶחָֽד׃Read the interlinear
Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 12:11
- Jeremiah 23:29Is not my word like fire? saith Jehovah; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?
- Matthew 3:7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said unto them, Ye offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
- Acts 2:37Now when they heardthis, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do?
- 2 Corinthians 10:4(for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds);
- Hebrews 4:12For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.
- John 3:10Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou the teacher of Israel, and understandest not these things?
- Genesis 49:24But his bow abode in strength, And the arms of his hands were made strong, By the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob (From thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel),
- Psalms 23:1Jehovah is my shepherd; I shall not want.
- Psalms 80:1Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, Thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; Thou that sittest above the cherubim, shine forth.
- Isaiah 40:11He will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and will gently lead those that have their young.
- Ezekiel 34:23And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.
- John 10:14I am the good shepherd; and I know mine own, and mine own know me,
- Hebrews 13:20Now the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, even our Lord Jesus,
- 1 Peter 5:4And when the chief Shepherd shall be manifested, ye shall receive the crown of glory that fadeth not away.
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 12:11
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 11The words of the wise - Doctrines of faith, illustrated by suitable language, are as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, אספות בעלי baaley asuphoth, the masters of collections, those who had made the best collections of this kind, the matter of which was of the most excellent nature; every saying sinking as deeply into the mind, by the force of the truth contained in it, as a nail well pointed does into a board, when impelled by the hammer's…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 8-14Verses 8-14 This passage is properly regarded as the Epilogue of the whole book; a kind of apology for the obscurity of many of its sayings. The passage serves therefore to make the book more intelligible and more acceptable. Here, as in the beginning of the book Ecclesiastes 1:1-2, the Preacher speaks of himself Ecclesiastes 12:8-10 in the third person. He first repeats Ecclesiastes 12:8 the mournful, perplexing theme with which his musings began…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 8-14Verses 8-14 Solomon repeats his text, VANITY OF VANITIES, ALL IS VANITY. These are the words of one that could speak by dear-bought experience of the vanity of the world, which can do nothing to ease men of the burden of sin. As he considered the worth of souls, he gave good heed to what he spake and wrote; words of truth will always be acceptable words. The truths of God are as goads to such as are dull and draw back, and nails to such as are wandering…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 11goads...firmly embedded nails: Sometimes, painful lessons guide us to paths we prefer to avoid. a single Shepherd: This word might refer to God as the shepherd of his people (Psalm 23:1; Isaiah 40:11). The sentence could also compare the wise person's words to a shepherd's work in caring for his flock.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 8-128-12. A summary of the first part. Vanity, &c.--Resumption of the sentiment with which the book began (Ec 1:2; 1Jo 2:17).Read the comment
Topics related to Ecclesiastes 12:11
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 12
- 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
American Standard Version — 1901 — Public Domain
Commentaries