Ecclesiastes 10:2

Ecclesiastes 10:2 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left.
• New International Version (NIV)The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left.
• English Standard Version (ESV)A wise man's heart inclines him to the right, but a fool's heart to the left.
• New King James Version (NKJV)A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, But a fool’s heart at his left.

Context of Ecclesiastes 10:2

1Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour. A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left. 3Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool. 4If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.

Ecclesiastes 10:2 word by word

לֵ֤ב חָכָם֙ לִֽימִינ֔וֹ וְלֵ֥ב כְּסִ֖יל לִשְׂמֹאלֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear

• A wise man’sחָכָםchâkâm · wiseH2450
• heartלֵבlêb · heartH3820
• at his right handיָמִיןyâmîyn · rightH3225
• but a fool’sכְּסִילkesîyl · foolH3684
• at his leftשְׂמֹאלώemô'l ώem'ôl · leftH8040

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 10:2

• Ecclesiastes 9:10Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
• Proverbs 14:8The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.
• Luke 14:28For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
• Ecclesiastes 10:10If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.
• Proverbs 17:16Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?
• Luke 12:18And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 10:2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2A wise man's heart is at his right hand - As the right hand is ordinarily the best exercised, strongest, and most ready, and the left the contrary, they show, The command which the wise man has over his own mind, feelings, passions, etc., and the prudence with which he acts. And, 2. The want of prudence and management in the fool, who has no restraint on his passions, and no rule or guard upon his tongue. The right hand and the left are used in Scripture…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2The metaphor perhaps means “A wise man‘s sense is in its place, ready to help and protect him; but a fool‘s sense is missing when it is wanted, and so is useless.”Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2-3These two proverbs highlight the foolishness of unwise people. They make poor choices, and their actions reveal their lack of wisdom.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. (Ec 2:14). right--The right hand is more expert than the left. The godly wise is more on his guard than the foolish sinner, though at times he slip. Better a diamond with a flaw, than a pebble without one.Read the comment

Topics related to Ecclesiastes 10:2

• Wisdom

In the dictionaries

• Direct
• Idleness
• Prince
• Hand
• 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