Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good. New Living Translation Better to have wisdom than weapons of war, but one sinner can destroy much that is good. English Standard Version Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good. Berean Standard Bible Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good. King James Bible Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good. New King James Version Wisdom is better than weapons of war; But one sinner destroys much good.” New American Standard Bible Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good. NASB 1995 Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good. NASB 1977 Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good. Legacy Standard Bible Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good. Amplified Bible Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good. Christian Standard Bible Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner can destroy much good. Holman Christian Standard Bible Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner can destroy much good. American Standard Version Wisdom is better than weapons of war; but one sinner destroyeth much good. Contemporary English Version Wisdom is more powerful than weapons, yet one mistake can destroy all the good you have done. English Revised Version Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good. GOD'S WORD® Translation Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner can destroy much that is good. Good News Translation Wisdom does more good than weapons, but one sinner can undo a lot of good. International Standard Version Wisdom is better than weapons of war, and a single sinner can destroy a lot of good. Majority Standard Bible Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good. NET Bible Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner can destroy much that is good. New Heart English Bible Wisdom is better than weapons of war; but one sinner destroys much good. Webster's Bible Translation Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good. World English Bible Wisdom is better than weapons of war; but one sinner destroys much good. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionBetter [is] wisdom than weapons of conflict, "" And one sinner destroys much good! Young's Literal Translation Better is wisdom than weapons of conflict, And one sinner destroyeth much good! Smith's Literal Translation Wisdom is good above the instruments of encounter: and one sinning will destroy much good. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBetter is wisdom, than weapons of war: and he that shall offend in one, shall lose many good things. Catholic Public Domain Version Wisdom is better than weapons of war. And whoever offends in one thing, shall lose many good things. New American Bible Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one bungler destroys much good. New Revised Standard Version Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one bungler destroys much good. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWisdom is better than weapons of war; but one sin destroys much good. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Better is wisdom than instruments of war, and one sin destroys many good things OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Wisdom is better than weapons of war; But one sinner destroyeth much good. Brenton Septuagint Translation Wisdom is better than weapons of war: and one sinner will destroy much good. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Wisdom is Better than Strength…17The calm words of the wise are heeded over the shouts of a ruler among fools. 18Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good. Cross References Proverbs 16:32 He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city. James 3:13-18 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. / But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth. / Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. ... 1 Corinthians 1:25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. Proverbs 21:22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust. 1 Corinthians 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.” Proverbs 24:5-6 A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge enhances his strength. / Only with sound guidance should you wage war, and victory lies in a multitude of counselors. 1 Corinthians 1:27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. Proverbs 14:29 A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly. 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. Proverbs 10:14 The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of the fool invites destruction. Matthew 10:16 Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Proverbs 13:16 Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool displays his folly. Romans 16:19 Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice over you. But I want you to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil. Proverbs 15:2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly. 1 Peter 2:15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorance of foolish men. Treasury of Scripture Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroys much good. better Ecclesiastes 9:16 Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. sinner Joshua 7:1,5,11,12 But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel… Joshua 22:20 Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the accursed thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel? and that man perished not alone in his iniquity. 1 Samuel 14:28,29,36-46 Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food this day. And the people were faint… Jump to Previous Better Conflict Destroyeth Destroys Destruction Good Instruments Sinner War Weapons WisdomJump to Next Better Conflict Destroyeth Destroys Destruction Good Instruments Sinner War Weapons WisdomEcclesiastes 9 1. like things happen to good and bad4. there is a necessity of death unto men 7. Comfort is all their portion in this life 11. God's providence rules over all 13. wisdom is better than strength Wisdom is better than weapons of war This phrase emphasizes the superiority of wisdom over physical might and military power. In the biblical context, wisdom is often associated with the fear of the Lord and understanding His ways (Proverbs 9:10). The historical context of ancient Israel, a nation often surrounded by hostile powers, underscores the value of wisdom in navigating conflicts and maintaining peace. Solomon, traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, was known for his wisdom, which brought prosperity and peace to Israel (1 Kings 4:29-34). This phrase echoes the sentiment found in Proverbs 21:22, where wisdom is portrayed as a means to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges. Theologically, wisdom is a type of Christ, who is described as the "wisdom of God" (1 Corinthians 1:24), suggesting that reliance on divine wisdom is more powerful than any human strategy or weaponry. but one sinner destroys much good Persons / Places / Events 1. SolomonTraditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the king of Israel known for his wisdom, wealth, and writings. His reflections in Ecclesiastes often explore the meaning of life and the pursuit of wisdom. 2. Israel The nation over which Solomon reigned. The historical context of Israel during Solomon's time was one of peace and prosperity, allowing for philosophical and theological exploration. 3. Sinners In this context, a "sinner" refers to an individual who acts contrary to God's wisdom and righteousness, causing harm and destruction. 4. Wisdom A central theme in Ecclesiastes, wisdom is portrayed as a divine gift that surpasses material power and human strength. 5. Weapons of War Symbolic of human strength and military might, which are ultimately inferior to the power of wisdom. Teaching Points The Superiority of WisdomWisdom is a divine attribute that surpasses human strength and military power. It is a guiding principle that leads to peace and prosperity, unlike the temporary and often destructive nature of physical might. The Destructive Power of Sin Even a single act of sin can have far-reaching negative consequences, undermining the good that wisdom can achieve. This highlights the importance of living righteously and avoiding sin. The Value of Righteous Living Pursuing wisdom and righteousness should be a priority for believers, as these lead to lasting good and align with God's will, unlike the fleeting and often harmful effects of sin. The Impact of Individual Actions Each person's actions can significantly impact their community. One person's sin can destroy much good, emphasizing the importance of personal responsibility and integrity. The Call to Seek Divine Wisdom Believers are encouraged to seek God's wisdom through prayer, scripture, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, as it is the foundation for a life that honors God and benefits others.Verse 18. - Wisdom is better than weapons of war. Such is the moral which Koheleth desires to draw from the little narrative given above (see vers. 14-16; and Ecclesiastes 7:19). Wisdom can do what no material force can effect, and often produces results which all the implements of war could not command. But one sinner destroyeth much good. The happy consequences which the wise man's counsel might accomplish, or has already accomplished, may be overthrown or rendered useless by the villany or perversity of a bad man. The Vulgate, reading differently, has, Qui in uno peccaverit, multa bona perdet. But this seems to be out of keeping with the context. Adam's sin infected the whole race of man; Achau's transgression caused Israel's defeat (Joshua 7:11, 12); Rehoboam's folly occasioned the great schism (1 Kings 12:16). The wide° reaching effects of one little error are illustrated by the proverbial saying which every one knows, and which runs in Latin thus: "Clavus unus perdit equi soleam, soles equum, equus equitem, eques castra, castro rempublicam."
Hebrew Wisdomחָכְמָ֖ה (ḥāḵ·māh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 2451: Wisdom is better טוֹבָ֥ה (ṭō·w·ḇāh) Adjective - feminine singular Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good than weapons מִכְּלֵ֣י (mik·kə·lê) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 3627: Something prepared, any apparatus of war, קְרָ֑ב (qə·rāḇ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7128: Hostile encounter but one אֶחָ֔ד (’e·ḥāḏ) Number - masculine singular Strong's 259: United, one, first sinner וְחוֹטֶ֣א (wə·ḥō·w·ṭe) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 2398: To miss, to sin, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn destroys יְאַבֵּ֥ד (yə·’ab·bêḏ) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6: To wander away, lose oneself, to perish much הַרְבֵּֽה׃ (har·bêh) Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute Strong's 7235: To be or become much, many or great good. טוֹבָ֥ה (ṭō·w·ḇāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good Links Ecclesiastes 9:18 NIVEcclesiastes 9:18 NLT Ecclesiastes 9:18 ESV Ecclesiastes 9:18 NASB Ecclesiastes 9:18 KJV Ecclesiastes 9:18 BibleApps.com Ecclesiastes 9:18 Biblia Paralela Ecclesiastes 9:18 Chinese Bible Ecclesiastes 9:18 French Bible Ecclesiastes 9:18 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 9:18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) |
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