Ecclesiastes 7:18

Ecclesiastes 7:18 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.
• New International Version (NIV)It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. Whoever fears God will avoid all extremes.
• New King James Version (NKJV)It is good that you grasp this, And also not remove your hand from the other; For he who fears God will escape them all.
• New Living Translation (NLT)Pay attention to these instructions, for anyone who fears God will avoid both extremes.

Context of Ecclesiastes 7:18

16Be not overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself? 17Be not overly wicked, neither be a fool. Why should you die before your time? It is good that you should take hold of this, and from that withhold not your hand, for the one who fears God shall come out from both of them. 19Wisdom gives strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city. 20Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.

Ecclesiastes 7:18 word by word

ט֚וֹב אֲשֶׁ֣ר תֶּאֱחֹ֣ז בָּזֶ֔ה וְגַם־מִזֶּ֖ה אַל־תַּנַּ֣ח אֶת־יָדֶ֑ךָ כִּֽי־יְרֵ֥א אֱלֹהִ֖ים יֵצֵ֥א אֶת־כֻּלָּֽם׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• goodטוֹבţôb · pleasantH2896
• that thou shouldest take holdאָחַז'âchaz · to graspH270
• of this; yea, also from thisזֶהzeh · thisH2088
• withdrawיָנַחyânach · to restH3240
• not thine handיָדyâd · handH3027
• for he that fearethיָרֵאyârê' · afraidH3373
• Godאֱלֹהִים'ĕlôhîym · GodH430
• shall come forthיָצָאyâtsâ' · to come out: comeH3318

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 7:18

• Ecclesiastes 11:6In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good.
• Proverbs 4:25Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.
• Proverbs 8:20I walk in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice,
• Luke 11:42"But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.
• Ecclesiastes 8:12Though a sinner does evil a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I know that it will be well with those who fear God, because they fear before him.
• Ecclesiastes 12:13The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
• Psalms 25:12Who is the man who fears the Lord? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.
• Psalms 145:19He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.
• Jeremiah 32:40I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me.
• Malachi 4:2But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.
• Luke 1:50And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 7:18

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 18It is good that thou shouldest take hold or this - Do not let such an observation slip: take hold of this; do not forget that. Get what you can in an honest way; but do not forget to get true religion; for he that fears God will be saved from all evil.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. 1-22God's control over everything is serious, but it gives us hope.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1818. this ... this--the two opposite excesses (Ec 7:16, 17), fanatical, self-wise righteousness, and presumptuous, foolhardy wickedness. he that feareth God shall come forth of them all--shall escape all such extremes (Pr 3:7).Read the comment

Topics related to Ecclesiastes 7:18

• Fear of God
• Righteous
• Wisdom

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Adversity
• Bosom
• Consider
• Crackling
• Living
• Rest
• 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