EasyEnglish Bible 2018
Ecclesiastes 7:12
12Both wisdom and money can keep you safe. But wisdom is better. If you are wise, your knowledge can save your life.
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, ‘Everything was a lot better in the past.’ Those are not wise thoughts. 11It is good to have wisdom, like money that you receive from your father. Wisdom helps everyone who lives. Both wisdom and money can keep you safe. But wisdom is better. If you are wise, your knowledge can save your life. 13Think about the things that God has done. If God has bent something, nobody can make it straight again. 14If your life is good, you should be happy. But if you have trouble, think about this: God causes both joy and trouble in our lives. We do not know what will happen next.
Read all of Ecclesiastes 7Ecclesiastes 7:12 word by word
כִּ֛י בְּצֵ֥ל הַֽחָכְמָ֖ה בְּצֵ֣ל הַכָּ֑סֶף וְיִתְר֣וֹן דַּ֔עַת הַֽחָכְמָ֖ה תְּחַיֶּ֥ה בְעָלֶֽיהָ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 7:12
- Job 1:10You do not let any bad things happen to him. You keep him, his family and all his things safe. You have given him success with everything that he does. His many farm animals are everywhere!
- Job 22:21So, Job, agree to accept God's ways. Have peace in your mind about him. Then you will again have good success.
- Proverbs 2:7He helps good people to be wise in how they live. And he keeps honest people safe.
- Proverbs 14:20Even the neighbours of poor people do not like them. But rich people have many friends.
- Proverbs 18:10The name of the Lord is like a strong tower. Righteous people can run there, and then they will be safe.
- Isaiah 33:6Whatever happens, he will cause you to be strong. He will always keep you safe, and he will make you wise, so that you understand things. Respect the Lord with fear, and he will do all this for you.
- Judges 9:15The thorn bush said to the trees, “If you really want to choose me as your king, come here. Hide under my branches to keep safe. If not, I will cause fire to come out from the thorn bush. It will burn up all the big cedar trees in Lebanon!”
- Psalms 57:1God, please be kind to me and help me! Please help me! I have come to you to keep me safe. Until the danger has gone, keep me near to you, in the way that birds protect their babies under their wings.
- Isaiah 30:2Your leaders travel to Egypt to ask for Pharaoh's help to keep them safe. But they did not ask me what I think about it. They think that Egypt has the power to protect them.
- Isaiah 32:2Each leader will be like a safe place to hide from strong winds and storms. He will be like streams of water in a desert. And he will be like the shadow of a great rock in a hot, dry land.
- Deuteronomy 30:19Today, I want the sky and the earth to hear what I have said to you. I have told you what you may choose. You may choose life or death. You may choose the Lord to bless you or to curse you. Choose life today, so that you and your descendants will live!
- Deuteronomy 32:47These are not just useless words. This is a message that gives life! If you obey it, you will live for many years in the land on the other side of the Jordan River. That is the land that will be your new home.’
- Proverbs 3:18Wisdom is like a tree with fruits that give life to the people who pick them. The Lord blesses everyone who keeps hold of wisdom.
- Proverbs 8:35Anyone who finds me, wisdom, finds true life. The Lord will bless that person.
- Proverbs 9:11Wisdom will add more days and years to your life.
- Proverbs 11:4When it is time for God to punish you, money will not help you to escape. But if you are righteous, that will save you 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
In the dictionaries
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
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