English Standard Version
Ecclesiastes 9:18
18Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.
Ecclesiastes 9:18 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.
- New International Version (NIV)Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Wisdom is better than weapons of war; But one sinner destroys much good.”
- New Living Translation (NLT)Better to have wisdom than weapons of war, but one sinner can destroy much that is good.
Context of Ecclesiastes 9:18
16But I say that wisdom is better than might, though the poor man's wisdom is despised and his words are not heard. 17The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.
Read all of Ecclesiastes 9Ecclesiastes 9:18 word by word
טוֹבָ֥ה חָכְמָ֖ה מִכְּלֵ֣י קְרָ֑ב וְחוֹטֶ֣א אֶחָ֔ד יְאַבֵּ֥ד טוֹבָ֥ה הַרְבֵּֽה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 9:18
- Ecclesiastes 9:16But I say that wisdom is better than might, though the poor man's wisdom is despised and his words are not heard.
- Joshua 7:1But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things, for Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. And the anger of the Lord burned against the people of Israel.
- Joshua 22:20Did not Achan the son of Zerah break faith in the matter of the devoted things, and wrath fell upon all the congregation of Israel? And he did not perish alone for his iniquity.'"
- 1 Samuel 14:28Then one of the people said, "Your father strictly charged the people with an oath, saying, 'Cursed be the man who eats food this day.'" And the people were faint.
- 2 Samuel 20:1Now there happened to be there a worthless man, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjaminite. And he blew the trumpet and said, "We have no portion in David, and we have no inheritance in the son of Jesse; every man to his tents, O Israel!"
- 2 Thessalonians 2:8And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.
- 2 Timothy 2:16But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness,
- 2 Timothy 3:8Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith.
- 2 Timothy 4:3For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,
- Hebrews 12:15See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no "root of bitterness" springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 9:18
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 18Wisdom is better than weapons of war - So proved in the case of Archimedes. But one sinner - Such as the Roman butcher above mentioned. Destroyeth much good - Such as were the life and skill of the Syracusan mathematician. One sinner has often injured the work of God; one stumbling-block has sometimes destroyed a revival of religion. Sin acts like a ferment; whatever comes in contact with it, it assimilates to itself.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 18Sinner - The word in the original indicates intellectual as well as moral error.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 13-18Verses 13-18 A man may, by his wisdom, bring to pass that which he could never do by his strength. If God be for us, who can be against us, or stand before us? Solomon observes the power of wisdom, though it may labour under outward disadvantages. How forcible are right words! But wise and good men must often content themselves with the satisfaction of having done good, or, at least, endeavoured to do it, when they cannot do the good they would, nor have…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 18one sinner destroys...a little folly outweighs: A little foolishness can ruin things. Sin and foolishness can quickly undo much good.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1818. one sinner, &c.--(Jos 7:1, 11, 12). Though wisdom excels folly (Ec 9:16; 7:19), yet a "little folly (equivalent to sin) can destroy much good," both in himself (Ec 10:1; Jas 2:10) and in others. "Wisdom" must, from the antithesis to "sinner," mean religion. Thus typically, the "little city" may be applied to the Church (Lu 12:32; He 12:22); the great king to Satan (Joh 12:31); the despised poor wise man, Jesus Christ (Is 53:2, 3; Mr 6:3; 2Co 8:9; Ep…Read the comment
Topics related to Ecclesiastes 9:18
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 9
- 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