Ecclesiastes 7:5

Ecclesiastes 7:5 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
• New International Version (NIV)It is better to heed the rebuke of a wise person than to listen to the song of fools.
• English Standard Version (ESV)It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools.
• New King James Version (NKJV)It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise Than for a man to hear the song of fools.

Context of Ecclesiastes 7:5

3Sorrow is better than laughter, for a sad countenance is good for the heart. 4The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure. It is better to heed a wise man’s rebuke than to listen to the song of fools. 6For like the crackling of thorns under the pot, so is the laughter of the fool. This too is futile. 7Surely extortion turns a wise man into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart.

Ecclesiastes 7:5 word by word

ט֕וֹב לִשְׁמֹ֖עַ גַּעֲרַ֣ת חָכָ֑ם מֵאִ֕ישׁ שֹׁמֵ֖עַ שִׁ֥יר כְּסִילִֽים׃Read the interlinear

• It is betterטוֹבţôb · pleasantH2896
• to heedשָׁמַעshâma‛ · to hear: hearH8085
• a wise man’sחָכָםchâkâm · wiseH2450
• rebukeגְּעָרָהge‛ârâh · rebukeH1606
• thanאִישׁ'îysh · man: anyoneH376
• to the songשִׁירshîyr shîyrâh · songH7892
• of foolsכְּסִילkesîyl · foolH3684

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 7:5

• Psalms 141:5Let the righteous man strike me; let his rebuke be an act of loving devotion. It is oil for my head; let me not refuse it. For my prayer is ever against the deeds of the wicked.
• Proverbs 9:8Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
• Proverbs 13:13He who despises instruction will pay the penalty, but the one who respects a command will be rewarded.
• Proverbs 15:31He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.
• Proverbs 17:10A rebuke cuts into a man of discernment deeper than a hundred lashes cut into a fool.
• Proverbs 27:6The wounds of a friend are faithful, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
• Revelation 3:19Those I love I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent.
• Psalms 69:12Those who sit at the gate mock me, and I am the song of drunkards.

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 7:5

• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 5-6Praise from a fool and enjoying a fool’s laughter are temporary and worthless. Criticism from a wise person can lead to real benefits (Proverbs 17:10).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 55. (Psa 141:4, 5). Godly reproof offends the flesh, but benefits the spirit. Fools' songs in the house of mirth please the flesh, but injure the soul.Read the comment

Topics related to Ecclesiastes 7:5

• Reproof

In the dictionaries

• Adversity
• Bosom
• Consider
• Crackling
• Living
• Rest
• Fool; Folly
• 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