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

3Vexation is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. 4The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools in the house of mirth. It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise, than to hear the song of fools. 6For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool. This also is vanity. 7Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad, and a gift destroyeth the heart.

Ecclesiastes 7:5 word by word

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

• betterטוֹבţôb · pleasantH2896
• manאִישׁ'îysh · manH376
• hearשָׁמַעshâma‛ · to hear: hearH8085
• rebukeגְּעָרָהge‛ârâh · rebukeH1606
• wiseחָכָםchâkâm · wiseH2450
• songשִׁירshîyr shîyrâh · songH7892
• foolsכְּסִילkesîyl · foolH3684

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 7:5

• Psalms 141:5Let the righteous smite me, it is kindness; and let him reprove me, it is an excellent oil which my head shall not refuse: for yet my prayer also is [for them] in their calamities.
• Proverbs 9:8Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee; reprove a wise [man], and he will love thee.
• Proverbs 13:13Whoso despiseth the word shall be held by it; but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.
• Proverbs 15:31The ear that heareth the reproof of life shall abide among the wise.
• Proverbs 17:10A reproof entereth more deeply into him that hath understanding than a hundred stripes into a fool.
• Proverbs 27:6Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are profuse.
• Revelation 3:19I rebuke and discipline as many as I love; be zealous therefore and repent.
• Psalms 69:12They that sit in the gate talk of me, and [I am] the song of the 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