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, because sober reflection is good for the heart. 4The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of merrymaking. It is better for a person to receive a rebuke from those who are wise than to listen to the song of fools. 6For like the crackling of quick-burning thorns under a cooking pot, so is the laughter of the fool. This kind of folly also is useless. 7Surely oppression can turn a wise person into a fool; likewise, a bribe corrupts the heart.

Ecclesiastes 7:5 word by word

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

Words taken from the KJV.

• betterטוֹבţôb · pleasantH2896
• to hearשָׁמַעshâma‛ · to hear: hearH8085
• the rebukeגְּעָרָהge‛ârâh · rebukeH1606
• of the wiseחָכָםchâkâm · wiseH2450
• than for a manאִישׁ'îysh · man: anyoneH376
• the songשִׁירshîyr shîyrâh · songH7892
• of foolsכְּסִילkesîyl · foolH3684

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 7:5

• Psalms 141:5May the godly strike me in love and correct me! May my head not refuse choice oil! Indeed, my prayer is a witness against their evil deeds.
• Proverbs 9:8Do not reprove a mocker or he will hate you; reprove a wise person and he will love you.
• Proverbs 13:13The one who despises instruction will pay the penalty, but whoever esteems instruction will be rewarded.
• Proverbs 15:31The person who hears the reproof that leads to life is at home among the wise.
• Proverbs 17:10A rebuke makes a greater impression on a discerning person than a hundred blows on a fool.
• Proverbs 27:6Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are excessive.
• Revelation 3:19All those I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent!
• Psalms 69:12Those who sit at the city gate gossip about me; drunkards mock me in their songs.

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