New Living Translation
Ecclesiastes 12:10
10The Teacher sought to find just the right words to express truths clearly.
Ecclesiastes 12:10 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.
- New International Version (NIV)The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth.
- New King James Version (NKJV)The Preacher sought to find acceptable words; and what was written was upright—words of truth.
Context of Ecclesiastes 12:10
8“Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless.” 9Keep this in mind: The Teacher was considered wise, and he taught the people everything he knew. He listened carefully to many proverbs, studying and classifying them. The Teacher sought to find just the right words to express truths clearly. 11The words of the wise are like cattle prods—painful but helpful. Their collected sayings are like a nail-studded stick with which a shepherd drives the sheep. 12But, my child, let me give you some further advice: Be careful, for writing books is endless, and much study wears you out.
Read all of Ecclesiastes 12Ecclesiastes 12:10 word by word
בִּקֵּ֣שׁ קֹהֶ֔לֶת לִמְצֹ֖א דִּבְרֵי־חֵ֑פֶץ וְכָת֥וּב יֹ֖שֶׁר דִּבְרֵ֥י אֱמֶֽת׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 12:10
- Ecclesiastes 1:1These are the words of the Teacher, King David’s son, who ruled in Jerusalem.
- Proverbs 15:23Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!
- Proverbs 16:21The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant words are persuasive.
- Proverbs 25:11Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket.
- 1 Timothy 1:15This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all.
- Proverbs 1:1These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel.
- Proverbs 8:6Listen to me! For I have important things to tell you. Everything I say is right,
- Proverbs 22:17Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction.
- Luke 1:1Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us.
- John 3:11I assure you, we tell you what we know and have seen, and yet you won’t believe our testimony.
- Colossians 1:5which come from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News.
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 12:10
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 10He sought to find out acceptable words - חפץ דברי dibrey chephets, words of desire, words of will; the best, the most suitable words; those which the people could best understand. But these words were not such as might merely please the people; they were words of truth; such as came from God, and might lead them to him.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 8-14Verses 8-14 This passage is properly regarded as the Epilogue of the whole book; a kind of apology for the obscurity of many of its sayings. The passage serves therefore to make the book more intelligible and more acceptable. Here, as in the beginning of the book Ecclesiastes 1:1-2, the Preacher speaks of himself Ecclesiastes 12:8-10 in the third person. He first repeats Ecclesiastes 12:8 the mournful, perplexing theme with which his musings began…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 8-14Verses 8-14 Solomon repeats his text, VANITY OF VANITIES, ALL IS VANITY. These are the words of one that could speak by dear-bought experience of the vanity of the world, which can do nothing to ease men of the burden of sin. As he considered the worth of souls, he gave good heed to what he spake and wrote; words of truth will always be acceptable words. The truths of God are as goads to such as are dull and draw back, and nails to such as are wandering…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 9-14This final note by the editor (see “Author and Recipients” in the Book Introduction) shows respect for the Teacher. It urges readers to apply the Teacher's lessons and shares the editor’s conclusion from studying the Teacher (Ecclesiastes 12:13–14).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 8-128-12. A summary of the first part. Vanity, &c.--Resumption of the sentiment with which the book began (Ec 1:2; 1Jo 2:17).Read the comment
Topics related to Ecclesiastes 12:10
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 12
- 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
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