English Standard Version
Ecclesiastes 7:19
19Wisdom gives strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.
Ecclesiastes 7:19 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.
- New International Version (NIV)Wisdom makes one wise person more powerful than ten rulers in a city.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Wisdom strengthens the wise More than ten rulers of the city.
- New Living Translation (NLT)One wise person is stronger than ten leading citizens of a town!
Context of Ecclesiastes 7:19
17Be not overly wicked, neither be a fool. Why should you die before your time? 18It 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. Wisdom 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. 21Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you.
Read all of Ecclesiastes 7Ecclesiastes 7:19 word by word
הַֽחָכְמָ֖ה תָּעֹ֣ז לֶחָכָ֑ם מֵֽעֲשָׂרָה֙ שַׁלִּיטִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר הָי֖וּ בָּעִֽיר׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 7:19
- 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.
- 2 Samuel 20:16Then a wise woman called from the city, "Listen! Listen! Tell Joab, 'Come here, that I may speak to you.'"
- Proverbs 21:22A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.
- Proverbs 24:5A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might,
- Colossians 1:9And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 7:19
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 19Wisdom strengtheneth the wise - One wise, thoroughly learned, and scientific man, may be of more use in fortifying and defending a city, than ten princes. Witness the case of Syracuse, when attacked by the Romans both by sea and land. Archimedes, by his engines, burnt and dashed their fleet to pieces, and destroyed all that came near the walls. And had not the city been betrayed and he killed, all their force and skill could not have taken it.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. 19the wise man: For example, see Ecclesiastes 9:14–15; 2 Samuel 20:15–22.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1919. Hebrew, "The wisdom," that is, the true wisdom, religion (2Ti 3:15). than ten mighty--that is, able and valiant generals (Ec 7:12; 9:13-18; Pr 21:22; 24:5). These "watchmen wake in vain, except the Lord keep the city" (Psa 127:1).Read the comment
Topics related to Ecclesiastes 7:19
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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries