Ecclesiastes 10:10

Ecclesiastes 10:10 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.
• English Standard Version (ESV)If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed.
• New King James Version (NKJV)If the ax is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success.
• New Living Translation (NLT)Using a dull ax requires great strength, so sharpen the blade. That’s the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed.

Context of Ecclesiastes 10:10

8Whoever digs a pit may fall into it; whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake. 9Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them; whoever splits logs may be endangered by them. If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success. 11If a snake bites before it is charmed, the charmer receives no fee. 12Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips.

Ecclesiastes 10:10 word by word

אִם־קֵהָ֣ה הַבַּרְזֶ֗ל וְהוּא֙ לֹא־פָנִ֣ים קִלְקַ֔ל וַחֲיָלִ֖ים יְגַבֵּ֑ר וְיִתְר֥וֹן הַכְשֵׁ֖ר חָכְמָֽה׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• If the ironבַּרְזֶלbarzel · ironH1270
• be bluntקָהָהqâhâh · be bluntH6949
• and he do not whetקָלַלqâlal · to lightenH7043
• the edgeפָּנֶהpânîym · faceH6440
• then must he putגָּבַרgâbar · to prevailH1396
• to more strengthחַ֫יִלchayil · strengthH2428
• but wisdomחׇכְמָהchokmâh · wisdomH2451
• profitableיִתְרוֹןyithrôn · advantageH3504
• to directכָּשֵׁרkâshêr · to succeedH3787

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 10:10

• Ecclesiastes 10:15The toil of fools wearies them; they do not know the way to town.
• Ecclesiastes 9:15Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man.
• Genesis 41:33“And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt.
• Exodus 18:19Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes to him.
• 1 Kings 8:9There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets that Moses had placed in it at Horeb, where the Lord made a covenant with the Israelites after they came out of Egypt.
• 1 Chronicles 12:32from Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do—200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command;
• 2 Chronicles 23:4Now this is what you are to do: A third of you priests and Levites who are going on duty on the Sabbath are to keep watch at the doors,
• Matthew 10:16“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
• Acts 6:1In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.
• Acts 15:2This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.
• Romans 16:19Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.
• 1 Corinthians 14:20Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.
• Ephesians 5:15Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,
• Colossians 4:5Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.
• James 1:5If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 10:10

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 10If the iron be blunt - If the axe have lost its edge, and the owner do not sharpen it, he must apply the more strength to make it cut: but the wisdom that is profitable to direct will teach him, that he should whet his axe, and spare his strength. Thus, without wisdom and understanding we cannot go profitably through the meanest concerns in life.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 8-10Verses 8-10 The figures seem to be taken from the work of building up and pulling down houses. In their general application, they recommend the man who would act wisely to be cautious when taking any step in life which involves risk. Ecclesiastes 10:8 Breaketh an hedge - Rather: “breaks through a wall.” Serpent - The habit of snakes is to nestle in a chink of a wall, or among stones (compare Amos 5:19). Ecclesiastes 10:9 Be endangered - Rather: “cut…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 4-10Verses 4-10 Solomon appears to caution men not to seek redress in a hasty manner, nor to yield to pride and revenge. Do not, in a passion, quit thy post of duty; wait awhile, and thou wilt find that yielding pacifies great offences. Men are not preferred according to their merit. And those are often most forward to offer help, who are least aware of the difficulties, or the consequences. The same remark is applied to the church, or the body of Christ…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 10skill produces success: In every job, tools must be in good condition to work well. Sharpening a dull ax is wise for those who rely on it for their livelihood.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1010. iron ... blunt--in "cleaving wood" (Ec 10:9), answering to the "fool set in dignity" (Ec 10:6), who wants sharpness. More force has then to be used in both cases; but "force" without judgment "endangers" one's self. Translate, "If one hath blunted his iron" [Maurer]. The preference of rash to judicious counsellors, which entailed the pushing of matters by force, proved to be the "hurt" of Rehoboam (1Ki 12:1-33). wisdom is profitable to direct--to a…Read the comment

Topics related to Ecclesiastes 10:10

• Iron
• Prudence
• Wisdom

In the dictionaries

• Direct
• Idleness
• Prince
• Synagogue, the Great

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 10

• 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