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, For when a face is sad a heart may be happy. 4The mind of the wise is in the house of mourning, While the mind of fools is in the house of pleasure. It is better to listen to the rebuke of a wise person Than for one to listen to the song of fools. 6For as the crackling of thorn bushes under a pot, So is the laughter of the fool; And this too is futility. 7For oppression makes a wise person look foolish, And a bribe corrupts the heart.

Ecclesiastes 7:5 word by word

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

• It is betterטוֹבţôb · pleasantH2896
• listenשָׁמַעshâma‛ · to hear: hearH8085
• to the rebukeגְּעָרָהge‛ârâh · rebukeH1606
• of a wiseחָכָםchâkâm · wiseH2450
• Thanמִן־min minnîy minnêy · fromH4480
• for oneאִישׁ'îysh · man: anyoneH376
• to the songשִׁירshîyr shîyrâh · songH7892
• of foolsכְּסִילkesîyl · foolH3684

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 7:5

• Psalms 141:5May the righteous strike me with mercy and discipline me; It is oil for the head; My head shall not refuse it, For my prayer is still against their evil deeds.
• Proverbs 9:8Do not rebuke a scoffer, or he will hate you; Rebuke a wise person and he will love you.
• Proverbs 13:13One who despises the word will do badly, But one who fears the commandment will be rewarded.
• Proverbs 15:31One whose ear listens to a life-giving rebuke Will stay among the wise.
• Proverbs 17:10A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding Than a hundred blows into a fool.
• Proverbs 27:6Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.
• Revelation 3:19Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.
• Psalms 69:12Those who sit in the gate talk about me, And songs of mockery by those habitually drunk are 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