Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Wisdom makes one wise person more powerful than ten rulers in a city. New Living Translation One wise person is stronger than ten leading citizens of a town! English Standard Version Wisdom gives strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city. Berean Standard Bible Wisdom makes the wise man stronger than ten rulers in a city. King James Bible Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city. New King James Version Wisdom strengthens the wise More than ten rulers of the city. New American Standard Bible Wisdom strengthens a wise person more than ten rulers who are in a city. NASB 1995 Wisdom strengthens a wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city. NASB 1977 Wisdom strengthens a wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city. Legacy Standard Bible Wisdom strengthens a wise man more than ten men with power who are in a city. Amplified Bible Wisdom strengthens the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city. Christian Standard Bible Wisdom makes the wise person stronger than ten rulers of a city. Holman Christian Standard Bible Wisdom makes the wise man stronger than ten rulers of a city. American Standard Version Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers that are in a city. Contemporary English Version Wisdom will make you stronger than the ten most powerful leaders in your city. English Revised Version Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers which are in a city. GOD'S WORD® Translation Wisdom will help a wise person more than ten rulers can help a city. Good News Translation Wisdom does more for a person than ten rulers can do for a city. International Standard Version Wisdom given as strength to a wise person is better than having ten powerful men in the city. NET Bible Wisdom gives a wise person more protection than ten rulers in a city. New Heart English Bible Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city. Webster's Bible Translation Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men who are in the city. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleWisdom makes the wise man stronger than ten rulers in a city. World English Bible Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionThe wisdom gives strength to a wise man, more than wealth the rulers who have been in a city. Young's Literal Translation The wisdom giveth strength to a wise man, more than wealth the rulers who have been in a city. Smith's Literal Translation Wisdom shall strengthen to the wise one more than ten having power which were in the city. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWisdom hath strengthened the wise more than ten princes of the city. Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible Wisdom is a better defense for the wise than ten princes in the city, New Revised Standard Version Wisdom gives strength to the wise more than ten rulers that are in a city. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWisdom strengthens the wise more than ten princes that are in the city. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten rulers who are in the city OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Wisdom is a stronghold to the wise man more than ten rulers that are in a city. Brenton Septuagint Translation Wisdom will help the wise man more than ten mighty men which are in the city. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Limits of Human Wisdom…18It is good to grasp the one and not let the other slip from your hand. For he who fears God will follow both warnings. 19Wisdom makes the wise man stronger than ten rulers in a city. 20Surely there is no righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.… Cross References Proverbs 24:5 A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge enhances his strength. Proverbs 21:22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust. Proverbs 8:14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight and strength. Proverbs 3:13-18 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding, / for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold. / She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her. ... Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding. Proverbs 16:16 How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver. Proverbs 24:6 Only with sound guidance should you wage war, and victory lies in a multitude of counselors. 1 Corinthians 1:24-25 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. / For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. James 1:5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. Colossians 2:2-3 that they may be encouraged in heart, knit together in love, and filled with the full riches of complete understanding, so that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, / in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Ephesians 1:17-18 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him. / I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, 1 Corinthians 2:6-7 Among the mature, however, we speak a message of wisdom—but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. / No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, which He destined for our glory before time began. James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the flesh. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. / We demolish arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. Matthew 10:16 Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Treasury of Scripture Wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city. Ecclesiastes 9:15-18 Now 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… 2 Samuel 20:16-22 Then cried a wise woman out of the city, Hear, hear; say, I pray you, unto Joab, Come near hither, that I may speak with thee… Proverbs 21:22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof. Jump to Previous City Gives Makes Mighty Powerful Rulers Strength Strengtheneth Strengthens Stronger Stronghold Ten Wealth Wisdom WiseJump to Next City Gives Makes Mighty Powerful Rulers Strength Strengtheneth Strengthens Stronger Stronghold Ten Wealth Wisdom WiseEcclesiastes 7 1. remedies against vanity are, a good name2. mortification 7. patience 11. wisdom 23. The difficulty of wisdom Wisdom makes the wise man stronger Wisdom in the biblical context often refers to a deep understanding and reverence for God, as seen in Proverbs 9:10, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom." This wisdom is not merely intellectual but spiritual and moral, guiding one's actions and decisions. The strength mentioned here is not physical but moral and spiritual fortitude, enabling a person to navigate life's complexities with discernment and integrity. This echoes the sentiment in Proverbs 24:5, "A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge increases power." than ten rulers in a city Persons / Places / Events 1. SolomonTraditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was known for his wisdom, wealth, and writings. His reflections in Ecclesiastes offer insights into the meaning of life and the value of wisdom. 2. The Wise Man Represents those who seek and apply godly wisdom in their lives, contrasting with the foolish or unwise. 3. Rulers in a City Symbolizes human authority and power structures. In ancient times, a city with multiple rulers would be seen as strong and well-governed. Teaching Points The Superiority of WisdomWisdom is portrayed as a source of strength greater than physical power or political authority. In a world that often values might and influence, this verse reminds us of the enduring power of godly wisdom. The Role of Wisdom in Leadership Effective leadership is not just about authority or control but about applying wisdom. Leaders who seek wisdom can govern more effectively than those who rely solely on their position or power. Seeking Divine Wisdom Believers are encouraged to seek wisdom from God, who is the ultimate source of all understanding. This pursuit should be a continual process in the life of a Christian. Wisdom as a Protective Force Just as a city is protected by its rulers, a life guided by wisdom is safeguarded against the challenges and temptations of the world. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 7When is it time to be silent or speak? Ecclesiastes 8:5 states that the wise person knows when and how to act; is there archaeological or historical evidence supporting such definite wisdom teachings in this era? Hosea 8:4: How could Israel set up kings without God's approval if He is sovereign over all nations? Does Ecclesiastes 2:15-16 contradict Proverbs' exaltation of wisdom by calling wisdom ultimately futile?(19) Mighty men.--The word is translated "governor" Genesis 42:6, and so see Ecclesiastes 10:5; see also Ecclesiastes 8:8. The preacher returns to the topic of Ecclesiastes 7:12. Of the "For" in the next verse, only forced explanations have been given; the sentiment is Solomon's (1Kings 8:46).Verse 19. - Wisdom strengtheneth the wise. The moderation enjoined is the only true wisdom, which, indeed, is the most powerful incentive and support. "Wisdom proves itself stronger" (as the verb is put intransitively) "to the wise man." Septuagint, βοηθήσει," will help;" Vulgate, confortuvit, "hath strengthened." The spiritual and moral force of the wisdom grounded upon the fear of God is here signified, and is all the more insisted upon to counteract any erroneous impression conveyed by the caution against over-wisdom in ver. 16 (see note on ver. 17, at the end). More than ten mighty men which are in the city. The number ten indicates completeness, containing in itself the whole arithmetical system, and used representatively for an indefinite multitude. Thus Job (Job 19:3) complains that his friends have reproached him ten times, and Elkanah asks his murmuring wife, "Am I not better to thee than ten sons?" (1 Samuel 1:8). Delitzsch thinks that some definite political arrangement is referred to, e.g., the dynasties placed by Persian kings over conquered countries; and Tyler notes that in the Mishna a city is defined to be a place containing ten men of leisure; and we know that ten men were required for the establishment of a synagogue in any locality. The same idea was present in the Angle-Saxon arrangement of tything and hundred. The number, however, is probably used indefinitely here as seven in the parallel passage of Ecclesiasticus (37:14), "A man's mind is sometime wont to tell him more than seven watchmen that sit above in a high tower." The sentence may be compared with Proverbs 10:15; Proverbs 21:22; Proverbs 24:5. The word rendered "mighty men" (shallitim) is not necessarily a military designation; it is translated "ruler" in Ecclesiastes 10:5, and "governor" in Genesis 42:6. The Septuagint here has Ἐξουσιάζοντας τοὺς ὄντας ἐν τῇ πόλει; the Vulgate, principes civitatis. The persons intended are not primarily men of valor in war, like David's heroes, but rulers of sagacity, prudent statesmen, whose moral force is far greater and more efficacious than any merely physical excellence (comp. Ecclesiastes 9:16). Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Wisdomהַֽחָכְמָ֖ה (ha·ḥā·ḵə·māh) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 2451: Wisdom makes the wise man לֶחָכָ֑ם (le·ḥā·ḵām) Preposition-l, Article | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 2450: Wise stronger than תָּעֹ֣ז (tā·‘ōz) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 5810: To be strong ten מֵֽעֲשָׂרָה֙ (mê·‘ă·śā·rāh) Preposition-m | Number - masculine singular Strong's 6235: Ten rulers שַׁלִּיטִ֔ים (šal·lî·ṭîm) Adjective - masculine plural Strong's 7989: Having mastery, domineering in a city. בָּעִֽיר׃ (bā·‘îr) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5892: Excitement Links Ecclesiastes 7:19 NIVEcclesiastes 7:19 NLT Ecclesiastes 7:19 ESV Ecclesiastes 7:19 NASB Ecclesiastes 7:19 KJV Ecclesiastes 7:19 BibleApps.com Ecclesiastes 7:19 Biblia Paralela Ecclesiastes 7:19 Chinese Bible Ecclesiastes 7:19 French Bible Ecclesiastes 7:19 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 7:19 Wisdom is a strength to the wise (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) |
    |