God’s Word Translation
Ecclesiastes 12:9
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.
Ecclesiastes 12:9 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.
- New International Version (NIV)Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs with great care.
- New King James Version (NKJV)And moreover, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yes, he pondered and sought out and set in order many proverbs.
Context of Ecclesiastes 12:9
7Then the dust ⌞of mortals⌟ goes back to the ground as it was before, and the breath of life goes back to God who gave it. 8“Absolutely pointless!” says the spokesman. “Everything is pointless!” Besides 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. 10The 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.
Read all of Ecclesiastes 12Ecclesiastes 12:9 word by word
וְיֹתֵ֕ר שֶׁהָיָ֥ה קֹהֶ֖לֶת חָכָ֑ם ע֗וֹד לִמַּד־דַּ֙עַת֙ אֶת־הָעָ֔ם וְאִזֵּ֣ן וְחִקֵּ֔ר תִּקֵּ֖ן מְשָׁלִ֥ים הַרְבֵּֽה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- And moreoverיוֹתֵרyôthêr · advantageH3148
- because the preacherקֹהֶ֫לֶתqôheleth · preacherH6953
- was wiseחָכָםchâkâm · wiseH2450
- he still taughtלָמַדlâmad · to learn: teachH3925
- the peopleעַם‛am · peopleH5971
- knowledgeדַּ֫עַתda‛ath · knowledgeH1847
- yea, he gave good heedאָזַן'âzan · to ponderH239
- and sought outחָקַרchâqar · to searchH2713
- set in orderתָּקַןtâqan · be straightH8626
- manyרָבָהrâbâh · to multiplyH7235
- proverbsמָשָׁלmâshâl · proverbH4912
Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 12:9
- 1 Kings 8:12Then Solomon said, “The Lord said he would live in a dark cloud.
- 1 Kings 10:8How blessed your men must be! How blessed these servants of yours must be because they are always stationed in front of you, listening to your wisdom!
- 1 Kings 4:32Solomon spoke 3,000 proverbs and wrote 1,005 songs.
- Proverbs 1:1The proverbs of Solomon, David’s son who was king of Israel, ⌞given⌟
- Proverbs 10:1The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son makes his father happy, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.
- Proverbs 25:1These also are Solomon’s proverbs that were copied by the men of King Hezekiah of Judah.
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 12:9
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 9Because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge - And in order to do this he took good heed - considered what would be most useful. He set in order - collected and arranged, many parables, probably alluding to the book over which we have already passed.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. 9Even as king (Ecclesiastes 1:1), the Teacher made time to study wisdom. He gathered and organized proverbs (see also 1 Kings 4:29–34; Proverbs 1:1; 10:1; 25:1).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 12:9
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
Commentaries