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

8Whoever digs a pit may fall into it, and whoever breaks through a fence may be bitten by a snake. 9Whoever quarries stones may be hurt by them, and whoever splits logs may be endangered by them. If the iron axe is blunt and one doesn’t sharpen the edge, then he must exert more force. So wisdom has the advantage of giving success. 11If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer. 12Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but the lips of a fool destroy him.

Ecclesiastes 10:10 word by word

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

Words taken from the KJV.

• 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 mischief of fools wearies them for he doesn’t know how to go to town.
• Ecclesiastes 9:15Now a poor, wise man was found in it, and he delivered the city by his shrewdness. Yet nobody remembered that poor man!
• Genesis 41:33So now, let Pharaoh select a man discerning and wise and set him in authority over the land of Egypt.
• Exodus 18:19Now listen to my voice—I will give you advice, and may God be with you! You, represent the people before God, and bring their cases to God.
• 1 Kings 8:9Nothing was in the ark except the two tables of stone that Moses put there at Horeb, when Adonai cut a covenant with the children of Israel when they came out of the land of Egypt.
• 1 Chronicles 12:32from the half-tribe of Manasseh 18,000 who were designated by name to come and make David king;
• 2 Chronicles 23:4This is what you should do: a third of you, kohanim and Levites coming on duty on Shabbat will keep watch at the gates,
• Matthew 10:16“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
• Acts 6:1Now in those days, when the disciples were multiplying, grumbling arose among the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily support.
• Acts 15:2When Paul and Barnabas had a big argument and debate with them, the brothers appointed Paul and Barnabas with some others from among them to go up to Jerusalem to the emissaries and elders about this issue.
• Romans 16:19Your obedience has become known to all, so I rejoice over you—but I want you to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil.
• 1 Corinthians 14:20Brothers and sisters, stop being children in your thinking—rather, be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.
• Ephesians 5:15So pay close attention to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise.
• Colossians 4:5Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.
• James 1:5But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all without hesitation and without reproach; and it will be given to 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