New English Translation
Ecclesiastes 12:10
10The Teacher sought to find delightful words, and to write accurately truthful sayings.
Ecclesiastes 12:10 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.
- New International Version (NIV)The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth.
- New King James Version (NKJV)The Preacher sought to find acceptable words; and what was written was upright—words of truth.
Context of Ecclesiastes 12:10
8“Absolutely futile!” laments the Teacher, “All of these things are futile!” 9Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also taught knowledge to the people; he carefully evaluated and arranged many proverbs. The Teacher sought to find delightful words, and to write accurately truthful sayings. 11The words of the sages are like prods, and the collected sayings are like firmly fixed nails; they are given by one shepherd. 12Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. There is no end to the making of many books, and much study is exhausting to the body.
Read all of Ecclesiastes 12Ecclesiastes 12:10 word by word
בִּקֵּ֣שׁ קֹהֶ֔לֶת לִמְצֹ֖א דִּבְרֵי־חֵ֑פֶץ וְכָת֥וּב יֹ֖שֶׁר דִּבְרֵ֥י אֱמֶֽת׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 12:10
- Ecclesiastes 1:1The words of the Teacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem:
- Proverbs 15:23A person has joy in giving an appropriate answer, and a word at the right time – how good it is!
- Proverbs 16:21The one who is wise in heart is called discerning, and kind speech increases persuasiveness.
- Proverbs 25:11Like apples of gold in settings of silver, so is a word skillfully spoken.
- 1 Timothy 1:15This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” – and I am the worst of them!
- Proverbs 1:1The Proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
- Proverbs 8:6Listen, for I will speak excellent things, and my lips will utter what is right.
- Proverbs 22:17Incline your ear and listen to the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my instruction.
- Luke 1:1Now many have undertaken to compile an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us,
- John 3:11I tell you the solemn truth, we speak about what we know and testify about what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony.
- Colossians 1:5Your faith and love have arisen from the hope laid up for you in heaven, which you have heard about in the message of truth, the gospel
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 12:10
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 10He sought to find out acceptable words - חפץ דברי dibrey chephets, words of desire, words of will; the best, the most suitable words; those which the people could best understand. But these words were not such as might merely please the people; they were words of truth; such as came from God, and might lead them to him.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 8-14Verses 8-14 This passage is properly regarded as the Epilogue of the whole book; a kind of apology for the obscurity of many of its sayings. The passage serves therefore to make the book more intelligible and more acceptable. Here, as in the beginning of the book Ecclesiastes 1:1-2, the Preacher speaks of himself Ecclesiastes 12:8-10 in the third person. He first repeats Ecclesiastes 12:8 the mournful, perplexing theme with which his musings began…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 8-14Verses 8-14 Solomon repeats his text, VANITY OF VANITIES, ALL IS VANITY. These are the words of one that could speak by dear-bought experience of the vanity of the world, which can do nothing to ease men of the burden of sin. As he considered the worth of souls, he gave good heed to what he spake and wrote; words of truth will always be acceptable words. The truths of God are as goads to such as are dull and draw back, and nails to such as are wandering…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 9-14This final note by the editor (see “Author and Recipients” in the Book Introduction) shows respect for the Teacher. It urges readers to apply the Teacher's lessons and shares the editor’s conclusion from studying the Teacher (Ecclesiastes 12:13–14).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 8-128-12. A summary of the first part. Vanity, &c.--Resumption of the sentiment with which the book began (Ec 1:2; 1Jo 2:17).Read the comment
Topics related to Ecclesiastes 12:10
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 12
- 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
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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