Ecclesiastes 7:19

Wisdom is Valuable, but No One is Completely Righteous

19 Wisdom gives more strength to the wise than ten rulers who are in the city.

Ecclesiastes 7:19 Meaning and Commentary

Ecclesiastes 7:19

Wisdom strengtheneth the wise
Against such extremes as before mentioned; it is a guard about him, as well as a guide unto him; it is a defence unto him, as before observed, ( Ecclesiastes 7:12 ) ; and is better than strength of body, or weapons of war, ( Ecclesiastes 9:16 Ecclesiastes 9:18 ) ; and a wise man does greater things by it than a strong man with them, and is safer with it than he can be by them. Some understand this of Christ, the Wisdom of God, without whom a good man can do nothing, but all things through him strengthening him; and who being a strong tower and place of refuge to him, he is safer in him than if he was in the strongest garrison, and under the protection of ever so large a number of valiant men: Christ, and grace from him, strengthen more than ten mighty [men] which are in the city;
that is, than many mighty men, or men of war, which guard a city; the city of Jerusalem, or any other. The Targum applies this to Joseph, and paraphrases it,

``the wisdom of Joseph the son of Jacob helped him to make him wiser than all his ten righteous brethren.''

Ecclesiastes 7:19 In-Context

17 Do not act excessively wicked, and do not be a fool, lest you die before your time.

18 [It is] good to take hold of the one and also must not let go of the other; for whoever fears God will hold both of them secure.

19 Wisdom gives more strength to the wise than ten rulers who are in the city.

20 Surely there is no one righteous on the earth who [continually] does good and never sins.

21 Do not pay attention to everything people say, lest you hear your own servant curse you.