Ecclesiastes 7:12

Ecclesiastes 7:12 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.
• New International Version (NIV)Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves those who have it.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, But the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it.

Context of Ecclesiastes 7:12

10Do not say, “Why is it that the former days were better than these?” For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this. 11Wisdom along with an inheritance is good And an advantage to those who see the sun. For wisdom is protection just as money is protection, But the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the lives of its possessors. 13Consider the work of God, For who is able to straighten what He has bent? 14In the day of prosperity be happy, But in the day of adversity consider-- God has made the one as well as the other So that man will not discover anything that will be after him.

Ecclesiastes 7:12 word by word

כִּ֛י בְּצֵ֥ל הַֽחָכְמָ֖ה בְּצֵ֣ל הַכָּ֑סֶף וְיִתְר֣וֹן דַּ֔עַת הַֽחָכְמָ֖ה תְּחַיֶּ֥ה בְעָלֶֽיהָ׃Read the interlinear

• wisdomחׇכְמָהchokmâh · wisdomH2451
• protectionצֵלtsêl · shadowH6738
• moneyכֶּ֫סֶףkeseph · silver: moneyH3701
• But the advantageיִתְרוֹןyithrôn · advantageH3504
• of knowledgeדַּ֫עַתda‛ath · knowledgeH1847
• of its possessorsבַּעַלba‛al · master: owningH1167

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 7:12

• Job 1:10Have You not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.
• Job 22:21“Yield now and be at peace with Him; Thereby good will come to you.
• Proverbs 2:7He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
• Proverbs 14:20The poor is hated even by his neighbor, But those who love the rich are many.
• Proverbs 18:10The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe.
• Isaiah 33:6And He will be the stability of your times, A wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge; The fear of the Lord is his treasure.
• Judges 9:15The bramble said to the trees, ‘If in truth you are anointing me as king over you, come and take refuge in my shade; but if not, may fire come out from the bramble and consume the cedars of Lebanon.’
• Psalms 57:1Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me, For my soul takes refuge in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge Until destruction passes by.
• Isaiah 30:2Who proceed down to Egypt Without consulting Me, To take refuge in the safety of Pharaoh And to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt!
• Isaiah 32:2Each will be like a refuge from the wind And a shelter from the storm, Like streams of water in a dry country, Like the shade of a huge rock in a parched land.
• Deuteronomy 30:19I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants,
• Deuteronomy 32:47For it is not an idle word for you; indeed it is your life. And by this word you will prolong your days in the land, which you are about to cross the Jordan to possess.”
• Proverbs 3:18She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who hold her fast.
• Proverbs 8:35For he who finds me finds life And obtains favor from the Lord.
• Proverbs 9:11For by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you.
• Proverbs 11:4Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death.

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 7:12

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12Wisdom is a defense - To whom Solomon answers: All true wisdom is most undoubtedly a great advantage to men in all circumstances; and money is also of great use: but it cannot be compared to wisdom. Knowledge of Divine and human things is a great blessing. Money is the means of supporting our animal life: but wisdom - the religion of the true God - gives life to them that have it. Money cannot procure the favor of God, nor give life to the soul.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12Wisdom is a defense … - See the margin and Psalm 121:5, i. e., He who is defended from adversity by his wisdom is in as good a position as he who is defended by his riches. Excellency - literally, Profit. Giveth life to - literally, “Causes to live,” “makes alive” Proverbs 3:18; the deeper meaning of which is elicited by comparing these words with John 6:63; Matthew 4:4.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. 11-12Wisdom and money are powerful tools for gaining benefits. wisdom preserves the life of its owner: See Ecclesiastes 7:17; Proverbs 10:2; 11:4.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. Literally, (To be) in (that is, under) the shadow (Is 30:2) of wisdom (is the same as to be) in (under) the shadow of money; wisdom no less shields one from the ills of life than money does. is, that--rather, "the excellency of the knowledge of wisdom giveth life," that is, life in the highest sense, here and hereafter (Pr 3:18; Joh 17:3; 2Pe 1:3). Wisdom (religion) cannot be lost as money can. It shields one in adversity, as well as prosperity…Read the comment

Topics related to Ecclesiastes 7:12

• Money
• Riches
• Wisdom

In the dictionaries

• Adversity
• Bosom
• Consider
• Crackling
• Living
• Rest
• Excellency
• 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