New King James Version
Ecclesiastes 7:19
19Wisdom strengthens the wise More than ten rulers of the 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.
- New International Version (NIV)Wisdom makes one wise person more powerful than ten rulers in a city.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Wisdom gives strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a 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 overly wicked, Nor be foolish: Why should you die before your time? 18It is good that you grasp this, And also not remove your hand from the other; For he who fears God will escape them all. Wisdom strengthens the wise More than ten rulers of the city. 20For there is not a just man on earth who does good And does not sin. 21Also do not take to heart everything people say, Lest you 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 was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that same poor man.
- 2 Samuel 20:16Then a wise woman cried out from the city, “Hear, hear! Please say to Joab, ‘Come nearby, that I may speak with you.’ ”
- Proverbs 21:22A wise man scales the city of the mighty, And brings down the trusted stronghold.
- Proverbs 24:5A wise man is strong, Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength;
- Colossians 1:9For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries