New English Translation
Ecclesiastes 7:19
19Wisdom gives a wise person more protection than ten rulers in a city.
Ecclesiastes 7:19 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.
- New International Version (NIV)Wisdom makes one wise person more powerful than ten rulers in a city.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Wisdom gives strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Wisdom strengthens the wise More than ten rulers of the city.
Context of Ecclesiastes 7:19
17Do not be excessively wicked and do not be a fool; otherwise you might die before your time. 18It is best to take hold of one warning without letting go of the other warning; for the one who fears God will follow both warnings. Wisdom gives a wise person more protection than ten rulers in a city. 20For there is not one truly righteous person on the earth who continually does good and never sins. 21Also, do not pay attention to everything that people say; otherwise, you might even hear your servant cursing you.
Read all of Ecclesiastes 7Ecclesiastes 7:19 word by word
הַֽחָכְמָ֖ה תָּעֹ֣ז לֶחָכָ֑ם מֵֽעֲשָׂרָה֙ שַׁלִּיטִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר הָי֖וּ בָּעִֽיר׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 7:19
- Ecclesiastes 9:15However, a poor but wise man lived in the city, and he could have delivered the city by his wisdom, but no one listened to that poor man.
- 2 Samuel 20:16a wise woman called out from the city, “Listen up! Listen up! Tell Joab, ‘Come near so that I may speak to you.’”
- Proverbs 21:22The wise person can scale the city of the mighty and bring down the stronghold in which they trust.
- Proverbs 24:5A wise warrior is strong, and a man of knowledge makes his strength stronger;
- Colossians 1:9For this reason we also, from the day we heard about you, have not ceased praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 7:19
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 19Wisdom strengtheneth the wise - One wise, thoroughly learned, and scientific man, may be of more use in fortifying and defending a city, than ten princes. Witness the case of Syracuse, when attacked by the Romans both by sea and land. Archimedes, by his engines, burnt and dashed their fleet to pieces, and destroyed all that came near the walls. And had not the city been betrayed and he killed, all their force and skill could not have taken it.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. 19the wise man: For example, see Ecclesiastes 9:14–15; 2 Samuel 20:15–22.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1919. Hebrew, "The wisdom," that is, the true wisdom, religion (2Ti 3:15). than ten mighty--that is, able and valiant generals (Ec 7:12; 9:13-18; Pr 21:22; 24:5). These "watchmen wake in vain, except the Lord keep the city" (Psa 127:1).Read the comment
Topics related to Ecclesiastes 7:19
In the dictionaries
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
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