God’s Word Translation
Ecclesiastes 12:10
10The spokesman tried to find just the right words. He wrote the words of truth very carefully.
Ecclesiastes 12:10 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.
- New International Version (NIV)The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth.
- New King James Version (NKJV)The Preacher sought to find acceptable words; and what was written was upright—words of truth.
Context of Ecclesiastes 12:10
8“Absolutely pointless!” says the spokesman. “Everything is pointless!” 9Besides being wise, the spokesman also taught the people what he knew. He very carefully thought about it, studied it, and arranged it in many proverbs. The spokesman tried to find just the right words. He wrote the words of truth very carefully. 11Words from wise people are like spurs. Their collected sayings are like nails that have been driven in firmly. They come from one shepherd. 12Be warned, my children, against anything more than these. People never stop writing books. Too much studying will wear out your body.
Read all of Ecclesiastes 12Ecclesiastes 12:10 word by word
בִּקֵּ֣שׁ קֹהֶ֔לֶת לִמְצֹ֖א דִּבְרֵי־חֵ֑פֶץ וְכָת֥וּב יֹ֖שֶׁר דִּבְרֵ֥י אֱמֶֽת׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 12:10
- Ecclesiastes 1:1The words of the spokesman, the son of David and the king in Jerusalem.
- Proverbs 15:23A person is delighted to hear an answer from his own mouth, and a timely word—oh, how good!
- Proverbs 16:21The person who is truly wise is called understanding, and speaking sweetly helps others learn.
- Proverbs 25:11⌞Like⌟ golden apples in silver settings, ⌞so⌟ is a word spoken at the right time.
- 1 Timothy 1:15This is a statement that can be trusted and deserves complete acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, and I am the foremost sinner.
- Proverbs 1:1The proverbs of Solomon, David’s son who was king of Israel, ⌞given⌟
- Proverbs 8:6Listen! I am speaking about noble things, and my lips will say what is right.
- Proverbs 22:17Open your ears, and hear the words of wise people, and set your mind on the knowledge I give you.
- Luke 1:1Many have attempted to write about what had taken place among us.
- John 3:11I can guarantee this truth: We know what we’re talking about, and we confirm what we’ve seen. Yet, you don’t accept our message.
- Colossians 1:5You have these because of the hope which is kept safe for you in heaven. Some time ago you heard about this hope in the Good News which is the message of truth.
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 12:10
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 10He sought to find out acceptable words - חפץ דברי dibrey chephets, words of desire, words of will; the best, the most suitable words; those which the people could best understand. But these words were not such as might merely please the people; they were words of truth; such as came from God, and might lead them to him.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 8-14Verses 8-14 This passage is properly regarded as the Epilogue of the whole book; a kind of apology for the obscurity of many of its sayings. The passage serves therefore to make the book more intelligible and more acceptable. Here, as in the beginning of the book Ecclesiastes 1:1-2, the Preacher speaks of himself Ecclesiastes 12:8-10 in the third person. He first repeats Ecclesiastes 12:8 the mournful, perplexing theme with which his musings began…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 8-14Verses 8-14 Solomon repeats his text, VANITY OF VANITIES, ALL IS VANITY. These are the words of one that could speak by dear-bought experience of the vanity of the world, which can do nothing to ease men of the burden of sin. As he considered the worth of souls, he gave good heed to what he spake and wrote; words of truth will always be acceptable words. The truths of God are as goads to such as are dull and draw back, and nails to such as are wandering…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 9-14This final note by the editor (see “Author and Recipients” in the Book Introduction) shows respect for the Teacher. It urges readers to apply the Teacher's lessons and shares the editor’s conclusion from studying the Teacher (Ecclesiastes 12:13–14).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 8-128-12. A summary of the first part. Vanity, &c.--Resumption of the sentiment with which the book began (Ec 1:2; 1Jo 2:17).Read the comment
Topics related to Ecclesiastes 12:10
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 12
- 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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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