Ecclesiastes 10:10

Ecclesiastes 10:10 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.
• New International Version (NIV)If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success.
• English Standard Version (ESV)If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed.
• New King James Version (NKJV)If the ax is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success.

Context of Ecclesiastes 10:10

8He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him. 9Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby. If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct. 11Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better. 12The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.

Ecclesiastes 10:10 word by word

אִם־קֵהָ֣ה הַבַּרְזֶ֗ל וְהוּא֙ לֹא־פָנִ֣ים קִלְקַ֔ל וַחֲיָלִ֖ים יְגַבֵּ֑ר וְיִתְר֥וֹן הַכְשֵׁ֖ר חָכְמָֽה׃Read the interlinear

• If the ironבַּרְזֶלbarzel · ironH1270
• be bluntקָהָהqâhâh · be bluntH6949
• and he do not whetקָלַלqâlal · to lightenH7043
• the edgeפָּנֶהpânîym · faceH6440
• then must he putגָּבַרgâbar · to prevailH1396
• to more strengthחַ֫יִלchayil · strengthH2428
• but wisdomחׇכְמָהchokmâh · wisdomH2451
• profitableיִתְרוֹןyithrôn · advantageH3504
• to directכָּשֵׁרkâshêr · to succeedH3787

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 10:10

• Ecclesiastes 10:15The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.
• Ecclesiastes 9:15Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.
• Genesis 41:33Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.
• Exodus 18:19Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:
• 1 Kings 8:9There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb, when Yhwh made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.
• 1 Chronicles 12:32And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.
• 2 Chronicles 23:4This is the thing that ye shall do; A third part of you entering on the sabbath, of the priests and of the Levites, shall be porters of the doors;
• Matthew 10:16Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
• Acts 6:1And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
• Acts 15:2When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
• Romans 16:19For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
• 1 Corinthians 14:20Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
• Ephesians 5:15See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
• Colossians 4:5Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
• James 1:5If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 10:10

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 10If the iron be blunt - If the axe have lost its edge, and the owner do not sharpen it, he must apply the more strength to make it cut: but the wisdom that is profitable to direct will teach him, that he should whet his axe, and spare his strength. Thus, without wisdom and understanding we cannot go profitably through the meanest concerns in life.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 8-10Verses 8-10 The figures seem to be taken from the work of building up and pulling down houses. In their general application, they recommend the man who would act wisely to be cautious when taking any step in life which involves risk. Ecclesiastes 10:8 Breaketh an hedge - Rather: “breaks through a wall.” Serpent - The habit of snakes is to nestle in a chink of a wall, or among stones (compare Amos 5:19). Ecclesiastes 10:9 Be endangered - Rather: “cut…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 4-10Verses 4-10 Solomon appears to caution men not to seek redress in a hasty manner, nor to yield to pride and revenge. Do not, in a passion, quit thy post of duty; wait awhile, and thou wilt find that yielding pacifies great offences. Men are not preferred according to their merit. And those are often most forward to offer help, who are least aware of the difficulties, or the consequences. The same remark is applied to the church, or the body of Christ…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 10skill produces success: In every job, tools must be in good condition to work well. Sharpening a dull ax is wise for those who rely on it for their livelihood.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1010. iron ... blunt--in "cleaving wood" (Ec 10:9), answering to the "fool set in dignity" (Ec 10:6), who wants sharpness. More force has then to be used in both cases; but "force" without judgment "endangers" one's self. Translate, "If one hath blunted his iron" [Maurer]. The preference of rash to judicious counsellors, which entailed the pushing of matters by force, proved to be the "hurt" of Rehoboam (1Ki 12:1-33). wisdom is profitable to direct--to a…Read the comment

Topics related to Ecclesiastes 10:10

• Iron
• Prudence
• Wisdom

In the dictionaries

• Direct
• Idleness
• Prince
• Synagogue, the Great

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 10

• 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