Ecclesiastes 7:5

Ecclesiastes 7:5 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
• New International Version (NIV)It is better to heed the rebuke of a wise person than to listen to the song of fools.
• English Standard Version (ESV)It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools.
• New King James Version (NKJV)It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise Than for a man to hear the song of fools.

Context of Ecclesiastes 7:5

3Sorrow is better than laughter because, in spite of a sad face, the heart can be joyful. 4The minds of wise people think about funerals, but the minds of fools think about banquets. It is better to listen to wise people who reprimand you than to fools who sing your praises. 6The laughter of a fool is like the crackling of thorns burning under a pot. Even this is pointless. 7Oppression can turn a wise person into a fool, and a bribe can corrupt the mind.

Ecclesiastes 7:5 word by word

ט֕וֹב לִשְׁמֹ֖עַ גַּעֲרַ֣ת חָכָ֑ם מֵאִ֕ישׁ שֹׁמֵ֖עַ שִׁ֥יר כְּסִילִֽים׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• betterטוֹבţôb · pleasantH2896
• to hearשָׁמַעshâma‛ · to hear: hearH8085
• the rebukeגְּעָרָהge‛ârâh · rebukeH1606
• of the wiseחָכָםchâkâm · wiseH2450
• than for a manאִישׁ'îysh · man: anyoneH376
• the songשִׁירshîyr shîyrâh · songH7892
• of foolsכְּסִילkesîyl · foolH3684

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 7:5

• Psalms 141:5A righteous person may strike me or correct me out of kindness. It is like lotion for my head. My head will not refuse it, because my prayer is directed against evil deeds.
• Proverbs 9:8Do not warn a mocker, or he will hate you. Warn a wise person, and he will love you.
• Proverbs 13:13Whoever despises ⌞God’s⌟ words will pay the penalty, but the one who fears ⌞God’s⌟ commands will be rewarded.
• Proverbs 15:31The ear that listens to a life-giving warning will be at home among wise people.
• Proverbs 17:10A reprimand impresses a person who has understanding more than a hundred lashes impress a fool.
• Proverbs 27:6Wounds made by a friend are intended to help, but an enemy’s kisses are too much to bear.
• Revelation 3:19I correct and discipline everyone I love. Take this seriously, and change the way you think and act.
• Psalms 69:12Those who sit at the gate gossip about me, and drunkards make up songs about me.

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 7:5

• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 5-6Praise from a fool and enjoying a fool’s laughter are temporary and worthless. Criticism from a wise person can lead to real benefits (Proverbs 17:10).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 55. (Psa 141:4, 5). Godly reproof offends the flesh, but benefits the spirit. Fools' songs in the house of mirth please the flesh, but injure the soul.Read the comment

Topics related to Ecclesiastes 7:5

• Reproof

In the dictionaries

• Adversity
• Bosom
• Consider
• Crackling
• Living
• Rest
• Fool; Folly
• 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