New English Translation
Ecclesiastes 9:15
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.
Ecclesiastes 9:15 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.
- New International Version (NIV)Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man.
- English Standard Version (ESV)But there was found in it a poor, wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that poor man.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that same poor man.
Context of Ecclesiastes 9:15
13This is what I also observed about wisdom on earth, and it is a great burden to me: 14There was once a small city with a few men in it, and a mighty king attacked it, besieging it and building strong siege works against it. However, 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. 16So I concluded that wisdom is better than might, but a poor man’s wisdom is despised; no one ever listens to his advice. 17The words of the wise are heard in quiet, more than the shouting of a ruler is heard among fools.
Read all of Ecclesiastes 9Ecclesiastes 9:15 word by word
וּמָ֣צָא בָ֗הּ אִ֤ישׁ מִסְכֵּן֙ חָכָ֔ם וּמִלַּט־ה֥וּא אֶת־הָעִ֖יר בְּחָכְמָת֑וֹ וְאָדָם֙ לֹ֣א זָכַ֔ר אֶת־הָאִ֥ישׁ הַמִּסְכֵּ֖ן הַהּֽוּא׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Now there was foundמָצָאmâtsâ' · to findH4672
- in it a poorמִסְכֵּןmiskên · poorH4542
- wiseחָכָםchâkâm · wiseH2450
- manאִישׁ'îysh · manH376
- and he by his wisdomחׇכְמָהchokmâh · wisdomH2451
- deliveredמָלַטmâlaţ · to escapeH4422
- the cityעִיר‛îyr ‛âr ‛âyar · cityH5892
- yet no manאָדָם'âdâm · manH120
- rememberedזָכַרzâkar · to rememberH2142
Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 9:15
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 9:15
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 13-18Verses 13-18 A man may, by his wisdom, bring to pass that which he could never do by his strength. If God be for us, who can be against us, or stand before us? Solomon observes the power of wisdom, though it may labour under outward disadvantages. How forcible are right words! But wise and good men must often content themselves with the satisfaction of having done good, or, at least, endeavoured to do it, when they cannot do the good they would, nor have…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 13-18This poor man's wise action was effective. Wisdom is better than power, strength, or weapons (see Ecclesiastes 4:13; 7:9, 19; 10:4). However, deserving people are not always honored, and even wise individuals are sometimes forgotten (see Ecclesiastes 2:16; 4:16).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 14-1514-15. (2Sa 20:16-22). bulwarks--military works of besiegers.Read the comment
Topics related to Ecclesiastes 9:15
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 9
- 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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