Ecclesiastes 7:8

Ecclesiastes 7:8 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
• New International Version (NIV)The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
• New King James Version (NKJV)The end of a thing is better than its beginning; The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

Context of Ecclesiastes 7:8

6For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity. 7Surely extortion maketh the wise man foolish; and a bribe destroyeth the understanding. Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof; and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. 9Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry; for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. 10Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.

Ecclesiastes 7:8 word by word

ט֛וֹב אַחֲרִ֥ית דָּבָ֖ר מֵֽרֵאשִׁית֑וֹ ט֥וֹב אֶֽרֶךְ־ר֖וּחַ מִגְּבַהּ־רֽוּחַ׃Read the interlinear

• endאַחֲרִית'achărîyth · endH319
• thingדָּבָרdâbâr · wordH1697
• spiritרוּחַrûach · spiritH7307
• betterטוֹבţôb · pleasantH2896

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 7:8

• Psalms 126:5They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
• Isaiah 10:24Therefore thus saith the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, O my people that dwellest in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrian, though he smite thee with the rod, and lift up his staff against thee, after the manner of Egypt.
• Luke 16:25But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things: but now here he is comforted, and thou art in anguish.
• James 5:11Behold, we call them blessed that endured: ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord, how that the Lord is full of pity, and merciful.
• 1 Peter 1:13Wherefore girding up the loins of your mind, be sober and set your hope perfectly on the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
• Proverbs 13:10By pride cometh only contention; But with the well-advised is wisdom.
• Proverbs 14:29He that is slow to anger is of great understanding; But he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
• Proverbs 15:18A wrathful man stirreth up contention; But he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
• Proverbs 16:32He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; And he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city.
• Proverbs 28:25He that is of a greedy spirit stirreth up strife; But he that putteth his trust in Jehovah shall be made fat.
• Luke 21:19In your patience ye shall win your souls.
• Romans 2:7to them that by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and incorruption, eternal life:
• Hebrews 10:36For ye have need of patience, that, having done the will of God, ye may receive the promise.
• James 5:8Be ye also patient; establish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
• 1 Peter 2:20For what glory is it, if, when ye sin, and are buffeted for it, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye shall take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
• 1 Peter 5:5Likewise, ye younger, be subject unto the elder. Yea, all of you gird yourselves with humility, to serve one another: for God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 7:8

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 8Better is the end - We can then judge of the whole, and especially if the matter relate to the conduct of Divine Providence. At the beginning we are often apt to make very rash conjectures, and often suppose that such and such things are against us; and that every thing is going wrong. Dr. Byrom gives good advice on such a subject: - "With patient mind thy course of duty run: God nothing does, nor suffers to be done, But thou wouldst do thyself, couldst…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 8Better - Inasmuch as something certain is attained, man contemplates the end throughout an entire course of action, and does not rest upon the beginning. Patient … proud - literally, “Long,” long-suffering … “high,” in the sense of impatient.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 7-10Verses 7-10 The event of our trials and difficulties is often better than at first we thought. Surely it is better to be patient in spirit, than to be proud and hasty. Be not soon angry, nor quick in resenting an affront. Be not long angry; though anger may come into the bosom of a wise man, it passes through it as a way-faring man; it dwells only in the bosom of fools. It is folly to cry out upon the badness of our times, when we have more reason to cry…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 8It is better to finish a project with patience than to start it with boastful words.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 88. connected with Ec 7:7. Let the "wise" wait for "the end," and the "oppressions" which now (in "the beginning") perplex their faith, will be found by God's working to be overruled to their good. "Tribulation worketh patience" (Ro 5:3), which is infinitely better than "the proud spirit" that prosperity might have generated in them, as it has in fools (Psa 73:2, 3, 12-14, 17-26; Jas 5:11).Read the comment

Topics related to Ecclesiastes 7:8

• Meekness
• Patience

In the dictionaries

• Adversity
• Bosom
• Consider
• Crackling
• Living
• Rest
• Longsuffering
• Patience
• Spirit
• Synagogue, the Great

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 7

• 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
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings