Ecclesiastes 10:10

Ecclesiastes 10:10 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.
• New International Version (NIV)If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success.
• New King James Version (NKJV)If the ax is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success.
• New Living Translation (NLT)Using a dull ax requires great strength, so sharpen the blade. That’s the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed.

Context of Ecclesiastes 10:10

8He who digs a pit will fall into it, and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall. 9He who quarries stones is hurt by them, and he who splits logs is endangered by them. If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed. 11If the serpent bites before it is charmed, there is no advantage to the charmer. 12The words of a wise man's mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.

Ecclesiastes 10:10 word by word

אִם־קֵהָ֣ה הַבַּרְזֶ֗ל וְהוּא֙ לֹא־פָנִ֣ים קִלְקַ֔ל וַחֲיָלִ֖ים יְגַבֵּ֑ר וְיִתְר֥וֹן הַכְשֵׁ֖ר חָכְמָֽה׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• If the ironבַּרְזֶלbarzel · ironH1270
• be bluntקָהָהqâhâh · be bluntH6949
• and he do not whetקָלַלqâlal · to lightenH7043
• the edgeפָּנֶהpânîym · faceH6440
• then must he putגָּבַרgâbar · to prevailH1396
• to more strengthחַ֫יִלchayil · strengthH2428
• but wisdomחׇכְמָהchokmâh · wisdomH2451
• profitableיִתְרוֹןyithrôn · advantageH3504
• to directכָּשֵׁרkâshêr · to succeedH3787

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 10:10

• Ecclesiastes 10:15The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city.
• Ecclesiastes 9:15But there was found in it a poor, wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that poor man.
• Genesis 41:33Now therefore let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt.
• Exodus 18:19Now obey my voice; I will give you advice, and God be with you! You shall represent the people before God and bring their cases to God,
• 1 Kings 8:9There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets of stone that Moses put there at Horeb, where the Lord made a covenant with the people of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.
• 1 Chronicles 12:32Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, 200 chiefs, and all their kinsmen under their command.
• 2 Chronicles 23:4This is the thing that you shall do: of you priests and Levites who come off duty on the Sabbath, one third shall be gatekeepers,
• Matthew 10:16"Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
• Acts 6:1Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.
• Acts 15:2And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question.
• Romans 16:19For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.
• 1 Corinthians 14:20Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.
• Ephesians 5:15Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,
• Colossians 4:5Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.
• James 1:5If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 10:10

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 10If the iron be blunt - If the axe have lost its edge, and the owner do not sharpen it, he must apply the more strength to make it cut: but the wisdom that is profitable to direct will teach him, that he should whet his axe, and spare his strength. Thus, without wisdom and understanding we cannot go profitably through the meanest concerns in life.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 8-10Verses 8-10 The figures seem to be taken from the work of building up and pulling down houses. In their general application, they recommend the man who would act wisely to be cautious when taking any step in life which involves risk. Ecclesiastes 10:8 Breaketh an hedge - Rather: “breaks through a wall.” Serpent - The habit of snakes is to nestle in a chink of a wall, or among stones (compare Amos 5:19). Ecclesiastes 10:9 Be endangered - Rather: “cut…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 4-10Verses 4-10 Solomon appears to caution men not to seek redress in a hasty manner, nor to yield to pride and revenge. Do not, in a passion, quit thy post of duty; wait awhile, and thou wilt find that yielding pacifies great offences. Men are not preferred according to their merit. And those are often most forward to offer help, who are least aware of the difficulties, or the consequences. The same remark is applied to the church, or the body of Christ…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 10skill produces success: In every job, tools must be in good condition to work well. Sharpening a dull ax is wise for those who rely on it for their livelihood.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1010. iron ... blunt--in "cleaving wood" (Ec 10:9), answering to the "fool set in dignity" (Ec 10:6), who wants sharpness. More force has then to be used in both cases; but "force" without judgment "endangers" one's self. Translate, "If one hath blunted his iron" [Maurer]. The preference of rash to judicious counsellors, which entailed the pushing of matters by force, proved to be the "hurt" of Rehoboam (1Ki 12:1-33). wisdom is profitable to direct--to a…Read the comment

Topics related to Ecclesiastes 10:10

• Iron
• Prudence
• Wisdom

In the dictionaries

• Direct
• Idleness
• Prince
• Synagogue, the Great

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 10

• 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
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings