Ecclesiastes 7:12

Ecclesiastes 7:12 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.
• New International Version (NIV)Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves those who have it.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, But the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it.

Context of Ecclesiastes 7:12

10Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is unwise of you to ask about this. 11Wisdom, like an inheritance, is good, and it benefits those who see the sun. For wisdom, like money, is a shelter, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of its owner. 13Consider the work of God: Who can straighten what He has bent? 14In the day of prosperity, be joyful, but in the day of adversity, consider this: God has made one of these along with the other, so that a man cannot discover anything that will come after him.

Ecclesiastes 7:12 word by word

כִּ֛י בְּצֵ֥ל הַֽחָכְמָ֖ה בְּצֵ֣ל הַכָּ֑סֶף וְיִתְר֣וֹן דַּ֔עַת הַֽחָכְמָ֖ה תְּחַיֶּ֥ה בְעָלֶֽיהָ׃Read the interlinear

• Forכִּיkîy · forH3588
• wisdomחׇכְמָהchokmâh · wisdomH2451
• ·צֵלtsêl · shadowH6738
• like moneyכֶּ֫סֶףkeseph · silver: moneyH3701
• and the advantageיִתְרוֹןyithrôn · advantageH3504
• of knowledgeדַּ֫עַתda‛ath · knowledgeH1847
• preserves the lifeחָיָהchâyâh · to liveH2421
• of its ownerבַּעַלba‛al · master: owningH1167

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 7:12

• Job 1:10Have You not placed a hedge on every side around him and his household and all that he owns? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.
• Job 22:21Reconcile now and be at peace with Him; thereby good will come to you.
• Proverbs 2:7He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk with integrity,
• Proverbs 14:20The poor man is hated even by his neighbor, but many are those who love the rich.
• Proverbs 18:10The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
• Isaiah 33:6He will be the sure foundation for your times, a storehouse of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the LORD is Zion’s treasure.
• Judges 9:15But the thornbush replied, ‘If you really are anointing me as king over you, come and find refuge in my shade. But if not, may fire come out of the thornbush and consume the cedars of Lebanon.’
• Psalms 57:1Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy, for in You my soul takes refuge. In the shadow of Your wings I will take shelter until the danger has passed.
• Isaiah 30:2They set out to go down to Egypt without asking My advice, to seek shelter under Pharaoh’s protection and take refuge in Egypt’s shade.
• Isaiah 32:2Each will be like a shelter from the wind, a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in a dry land, like the shadow of a great rock in an arid land.
• Deuteronomy 30:19I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore choose life, so that you and your descendants may live,
• Deuteronomy 32:47For they are not idle words to you, because they are your life, and by them you will live long in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess.”
• Proverbs 3:18She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who lay hold of her are blessed.
• Proverbs 8:35For whoever finds me finds life and obtains the favor of the LORD.
• Proverbs 9:11For through wisdom your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.
• Proverbs 11:4Riches are worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness brings deliverance from death.

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 7:12

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12Wisdom is a defense - To whom Solomon answers: All true wisdom is most undoubtedly a great advantage to men in all circumstances; and money is also of great use: but it cannot be compared to wisdom. Knowledge of Divine and human things is a great blessing. Money is the means of supporting our animal life: but wisdom - the religion of the true God - gives life to them that have it. Money cannot procure the favor of God, nor give life to the soul.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12Wisdom is a defense … - See the margin and Psalm 121:5, i. e., He who is defended from adversity by his wisdom is in as good a position as he who is defended by his riches. Excellency - literally, Profit. Giveth life to - literally, “Causes to live,” “makes alive” Proverbs 3:18; the deeper meaning of which is elicited by comparing these words with John 6:63; Matthew 4:4.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 11-22Verses 11-22 Wisdom is as good as an inheritance, yea better. It shelters from the storms and scorching heat of trouble. Wealth will not lengthen out the natural life; but true wisdom will give spiritual life, and strengthen men for services under their sufferings. Let us look upon the disposal of our condition as the work of God, and at last all will appear to have been for the best. In acts of righteousness, be not carried into heats or passions, no…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 11-12Wisdom and money are powerful tools for gaining benefits. wisdom preserves the life of its owner: See Ecclesiastes 7:17; Proverbs 10:2; 11:4.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. Literally, (To be) in (that is, under) the shadow (Is 30:2) of wisdom (is the same as to be) in (under) the shadow of money; wisdom no less shields one from the ills of life than money does. is, that--rather, "the excellency of the knowledge of wisdom giveth life," that is, life in the highest sense, here and hereafter (Pr 3:18; Joh 17:3; 2Pe 1:3). Wisdom (religion) cannot be lost as money can. It shields one in adversity, as well as prosperity…Read the comment

Topics related to Ecclesiastes 7:12

• Money
• Riches
• Wisdom

In the dictionaries

• Adversity
• Bosom
• Consider
• Crackling
• Living
• Rest
• Excellency
• 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