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.
• New International Version (NIV)It is better to heed the rebuke of a wise person than to listen to 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.

Context of Ecclesiastes 7:5

3Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us. 4A wise person thinks a lot about death, while a fool thinks only about having a good time. Better to be criticized by a wise person than to be praised by a fool. 6A fool’s laughter is quickly gone, like thorns crackling in a fire. This also is meaningless. 7Extortion turns wise people into fools, and bribes corrupt 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 the godly strike me! It will be a kindness! If they correct me, it is soothing medicine. Don’t let me refuse it. But I pray constantly against the wicked and their deeds.
• Proverbs 9:8So don’t bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you. But correct the wise, and they will love you.
• Proverbs 13:13People who despise advice are asking for trouble; those who respect a command will succeed.
• Proverbs 15:31If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise.
• Proverbs 17:10A single rebuke does more for a person of understanding than a hundred lashes on the back of a fool.
• Proverbs 27:6Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.
• Revelation 3:19I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.
• Psalms 69:12I am the favorite topic of town gossip, and all the drunks sing about me.

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