Ecclesiastes 7:12

12 Wisdom protects us just as money protects us, but the advantage of wisdom is that it gives life to those who have it.

Ecclesiastes 7:12 Meaning and Commentary

Ecclesiastes 7:12

For wisdom [is] a defence, [and] money [is] a defence
Or, a "shadow" of refreshment and protection, under which men sit with pleasure and safety; a man by his wisdom, and so by his money, is able to defend himself against the injuries and oppressions of others, and especially when both meet in one and the same man. Jarchi renders and interprets it,

``he that is in the shadow of wisdom is in the shadow of money, for wisdom is the cause why riches come;''

and so the Targum,

``as a man is hid in the shadow of wisdom, so he is hid in the shadow of money, when he does alms with it;''

compare with this ( Luke 16:9 ) ; see ( Ecclesiastes 7:19 ) ( 9:16 ) ( Proverbs 18:11 ) . Theognis

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FOOTNOTES:

F15 has a saying much like this,

``riches and wisdom are always inexpugnable to mortals;''

but the excellency of knowledge [is, that] wisdom giveth life to them
that have it;
or, "the excellency of the knowledge of wisdom giveth life" ^F16 not of natural wisdom, or the knowledge of natural and civil things, the vanity of this is exposed, before by the wise man; but the knowledge of God in Christ; the knowledge of Christ, who is the Wisdom of God; and of the Gospel, and of all divine and spiritual things: this is a superior excellency to riches, which often expose a man's life to danger, cannot preserve him from a corporeal death, much less from an eternal one. When this is the excellency of spiritual knowledge, that spiritual life goes along with it; such as are spiritually enlightened are spiritually quickened; live by faith on Christ, whom they know; and, through the knowledge of him, have all things pertaining to life and godliness, and have both a right and meetness for eternal life; yea, this knowledge is life eternal, ( John 17:3 ) ; see ( 2 Peter 1:3 ) ; and this is the pure gift of Wisdom, or of Christ, and not owing to the merit of men, or works done in obedience to the law, which cannot give this life; see ( John 17:2 ) ( 10:28 ) ( Romans 6:23 ) ( Galatians 3:21 ) .
F15 Sententiae, v. 1153.
F16 (hyxt hmkxh ted Nwrtyw) "et praestantia scientiae sapientiae vivificabit", Montanus.

Ecclesiastes 7:12 In-Context

10 Don't ask, "Why were things better in the old days than they are now?" It isn't wisdom that leads you to ask this!

11 Wisdom is as good as an inheritance. It is an advantage to everyone who sees the sun.

12 Wisdom protects us just as money protects us, but the advantage of wisdom is that it gives life to those who have it.

13 Consider what God has done! Who can straighten what God has bent?

14 When times are good, be happy. But when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one time as well as the other so that mortals cannot predict their future.