New Living Translation
Ecclesiastes 7:19
19One wise person is stronger than ten leading citizens of a town!
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 King James Version (NKJV)Wisdom strengthens the wise More than ten rulers of the city.
Context of Ecclesiastes 7:19
17On the other hand, don’t be too wicked either. Don’t be a fool! Why die before your time? 18Pay attention to these instructions, for anyone who fears God will avoid both extremes. One wise person is stronger than ten leading citizens of a town! 20Not a single person on earth is always good and never sins. 21Don’t eavesdrop on others—you may hear your servant curse 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 9:15A poor, wise man knew how to save the town, and so it was rescued. But afterward no one thought to thank him.
- 2 Samuel 20:16But a wise woman in the town called out to Joab, “Listen to me, Joab. Come over here so I can talk to you.”
- Proverbs 21:22The wise conquer the city of the strong and level the fortress in which they trust.
- Proverbs 24:5The wise are mightier than the strong, and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger.
- Colossians 1:9So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and 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
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