New International Version
Ecclesiastes 7:19
19Wisdom makes one wise person more powerful 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.
- 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.
- New Living Translation (NLT)One wise person is stronger than ten leading citizens of a town!
Context of Ecclesiastes 7:19
17Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool— why die before your time? 18It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. Whoever fears God will avoid all extremes. Wisdom makes one wise person more powerful than ten rulers in a city. 20Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins. 21Do not pay attention to every word people say, or you may 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 9:15Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man.
- 2 Samuel 20:16a wise woman called from the city, “Listen! Listen! Tell Joab to come here so I can speak to him.”
- Proverbs 21:22One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty and pull down the stronghold in which they trust.
- Proverbs 24:5The wise prevail through great power, and those who have knowledge muster their strength.
- Colossians 1:9For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,
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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