Ecclesiastes 7:11

11 Wisdom [is] good with an inheritance; {it benefits the living}.

Ecclesiastes 7:11 Meaning and Commentary

Ecclesiastes 7:11

Wisdom [is] good with an inheritance
It is good of itself. Or, "is as good as an inheritance" F14, as it may be rendered; it is a portion of itself, especially spiritual and divine wisdom. The Targum interprets it, the wisdom of the law, or the knowledge of that; but much more excellent is the wisdom of the Gospel, the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom; the knowledge of which, in an experimental way, is preferable to all earthly inheritances: but this with an inheritance is good, yea, better than without one; for wisdom, without riches, is generally overlooked and despised in men; see ( Ecclesiastes 9:16 ) ; when wealth, with wisdom, makes a man regarded; this commands respect and attention; as well as he is in a better condition to do good, if willing to share, and ready to distribute; and [by it there is] profit to them that see the sun;
mortals in this present state, who are described as such that see the sun rise and set, and enjoy the heat and light of it, receive much advantage from men who are both wise and rich: or, "and [it is] an excellency to them that see the sun"; it is an excellency to mortals and what gives them superiority to others, that they have both wisdom and riches.


FOOTNOTES:

F14 (hlxn Me) "aeque ac haereditas", Gejerus, Schmidt.

Ecclesiastes 7:11 In-Context

9 Do not be quick in your spirit to anger, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools.
10 Do not say, "Why were the former days better than these?" For [it is] not from wisdom [that] you ask this.
11 Wisdom [is] good with an inheritance; {it benefits the living}.
12 {For wisdom offers protection like money offers protection}. But knowledge [has] an advantage--wisdom restores life to its possessor.
13 Consider the work of God. For who is able to make straight what he made crooked?

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Literally "to those who see the sun"
Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.