Ecclesiastes 7:11

11 Wisdom is as good as an inheritance, an advantage to those who see the sun.

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 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 as good as an inheritance, an advantage to those who see the sun.
12 For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to the one who possesses it.
13 Consider the work of God; who can make straight what he has made crooked?
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.