Ecclesiastes 7:8

Ecclesiastes 7:8 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
• New International Version (NIV)The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
• New King James Version (NKJV)The end of a thing is better than its beginning; The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

Context of Ecclesiastes 7:8

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. The end of a matter is better than its beginning; Patience of spirit is better than arrogance of spirit. 9Do not be eager in your spirit to be angry, For anger resides in the heart of fools. 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.

Ecclesiastes 7:8 word by word

ט֛וֹב אַחֲרִ֥ית דָּבָ֖ר מֵֽרֵאשִׁית֑וֹ ט֥וֹב אֶֽרֶךְ־ר֖וּחַ מִגְּבַהּ־רֽוּחַ׃Read the interlinear

• endאַחֲרִית'achărîyth · endH319
• of a matterדָּבָרdâbâr · word: thingH1697
• is betterטוֹבţôb · pleasantH2896
• thanמִן־min minnîy minnêy · fromH4480
• its beginningרֵאשִׁיתrê'shîyth · first: beginningH7225
• Patienceאָרֵךְ'ârêk · slowH750
• of spiritרוּחַrûach · spiritH7307
• arroganceגָּבֹהַּgâbôhha gâbôhha · highH1364

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 7:8

• Psalms 126:5Those who sow in tears shall harvest with joyful shouting.
• Isaiah 10:24Therefore this is what the Lord God of armies says: “My people, you who dwell in Zion, do not fear the Assyrian who strikes you with the rod, and lifts up his staff against you the way Egypt did.
• Luke 16:25But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony.
• James 5:11We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.
• 1 Peter 1:13Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
• Proverbs 13:10Through overconfidence comes nothing but strife, But wisdom is with those who receive counsel.
• Proverbs 14:29One who is slow to anger has great understanding; But one who is quick-tempered exalts foolishness.
• Proverbs 15:18A hot-tempered person stirs up strife, But the slow to anger calms a dispute.
• Proverbs 16:32One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And one who rules his spirit, than one who captures a city.
• Proverbs 28:25An arrogant person stirs up strife, But one who trusts in the Lord will prosper.
• Luke 21:19By your endurance you will gain your lives.
• Romans 2:7to those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life;
• Hebrews 10:36For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.
• James 5:8You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.
• 1 Peter 2:20For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.
• 1 Peter 5:5You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God is opposed to the proud, but He gives grace to the humble.

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 7:8

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 8Better is the end - We can then judge of the whole, and especially if the matter relate to the conduct of Divine Providence. At the beginning we are often apt to make very rash conjectures, and often suppose that such and such things are against us; and that every thing is going wrong. Dr. Byrom gives good advice on such a subject: - "With patient mind thy course of duty run: God nothing does, nor suffers to be done, But thou wouldst do thyself, couldst…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 8Better - Inasmuch as something certain is attained, man contemplates the end throughout an entire course of action, and does not rest upon the beginning. Patient … proud - literally, “Long,” long-suffering … “high,” in the sense of impatient.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 7-10Verses 7-10 The event of our trials and difficulties is often better than at first we thought. Surely it is better to be patient in spirit, than to be proud and hasty. Be not soon angry, nor quick in resenting an affront. Be not long angry; though anger may come into the bosom of a wise man, it passes through it as a way-faring man; it dwells only in the bosom of fools. It is folly to cry out upon the badness of our times, when we have more reason to cry…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 8It is better to finish a project with patience than to start it with boastful words.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 88. connected with Ec 7:7. Let the "wise" wait for "the end," and the "oppressions" which now (in "the beginning") perplex their faith, will be found by God's working to be overruled to their good. "Tribulation worketh patience" (Ro 5:3), which is infinitely better than "the proud spirit" that prosperity might have generated in them, as it has in fools (Psa 73:2, 3, 12-14, 17-26; Jas 5:11).Read the comment

Topics related to Ecclesiastes 7:8

• Meekness
• Patience

In the dictionaries

• Adversity
• Bosom
• Consider
• Crackling
• Living
• Rest
• Longsuffering
• Patience
• Spirit
• 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