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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)Better to be criticized by a wise person than to be praised by a fool.

Context of Ecclesiastes 7:5

3Frustration is better than laughter, because a sad face 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 pleasure. It is better to heed the rebuke of a wise person than to listen to the song of fools. 6Like the crackling of thorns under the pot, so is the laughter of fools. This too is meaningless. 7Extortion turns a wise person into a fool, and 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 141:5Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness; let him rebuke me—that is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it, for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers.
• Proverbs 9:8Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you.
• Proverbs 13:13Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it, but whoever respects a command is rewarded.
• Proverbs 15:31Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise.
• Proverbs 17:10A rebuke impresses a discerning person more than a hundred lashes a fool.
• Proverbs 27:6Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.
• Revelation 3:19Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.
• Psalms 69:12Those who sit at the gate mock me, and I am the song of the drunkards.

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