Ecclesiastes 7:21

Ecclesiastes 7:21 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:
• New International Version (NIV)Do not pay attention to every word people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you—
• English Standard Version (ESV)Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Also do not take to heart everything people say, Lest you hear your servant cursing you.

Context of Ecclesiastes 7:21

19Wisdom strengthens a wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city. 20Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins. Also, do not take seriously all words which are spoken, so that you will not hear your servant cursing you. 22For you also have realized that you likewise have many times cursed others. 23I tested all this with wisdom, and I said, “I will be wise,” but it was far from me.

Ecclesiastes 7:21 word by word

גַּ֤ם לְכָל־הַדְּבָרִים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יְדַבֵּ֔רוּ אַל־תִּתֵּ֖ן לִבֶּ֑ךָ אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹֽא־תִשְׁמַ֥ע אֶֽת־עַבְדְּךָ֖ מְקַלְלֶֽךָ׃Read the interlinear

• Alsoגַּםgam · alsoH1571
• takeנָתַןnâthan · to give: putH5414
• seriouslyלֵבlêb · heartH3820
• allכֹּלkôl kôl · allH3605
• wordsדָּבָרdâbâr · word: thingH1697
• whichאֲשֶׁר'ăsher · whichH834
• are spokenדָבַרdâbar · to speak: speakH1696
• soלֹאlô' lô' lôh · notH3808
• that you will not hearשָׁמַעshâma‛ · to hear: hearH8085
• your servantעֶ֫בֶד‛ebed · servant/slaveH5650
• cursingקָלַלqâlal · to lightenH7043

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 7:21

• 2 Samuel 19:19So he said to the king, “Let not my lord consider me guilty, nor remember what your servant did wrong on the day when my lord the king came out from Jerusalem, so that the king would take it to heart.
• 2 Samuel 16:10But the king said, “What have I to do with you, O sons of Zeruiah? If he curses, and if the Lord has told him, ‘Curse David,’ then who shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’”
• Isaiah 29:21Who cause a person to be indicted by a word, And ensnare him who adjudicates at the gate, And defraud the one in the right with meaningless arguments.
• 1 Corinthians 13:5does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 7:21

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 21Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken - This is good advice, and much for every man's peace through life. Thy servant curse thee - מקללך mekallelecha, make light of thee, speak evil of thee.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 21Curse … cursed - Rather, speak evil of … spoken evil of.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. 1-22God's control over everything is serious, but it gives us hope.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2121. As therefore thou being far from perfectly "just" thyself, hast much to be forgiven by God, do not take too strict account, as the self-righteous do (Ec 7:16; Lu 18:9, 11), and thereby shorten their lives (Ec 7:15, 16), of words spoken against thee by others, for example, thy servant: Thou art their "fellow servant" before God (Mt 18:32-35).Read the comment

Topics related to Ecclesiastes 7:21

• Curiosity
• Forgiveness
• Servant
• Wisdom

In the dictionaries

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