Kohelet 7:19

19 Chochmah makes one chacham stronger than asarah shalitim (ten rulers) which are in the city.

Kohelet 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.''

Kohelet 7:19 In-Context

17 Be not over much resha, neither be thou foolish; why shouldest thou die before thy time?

18 It is good that thou holdest fast to the one and withdrawest not thine hand from the other; for he is a yire Elohim (G-d fearer) who shall fulfill both.

19 Chochmah makes one chacham stronger than asarah shalitim (ten rulers) which are in the city.

20 For there is not a tzaddik upon earth, that doeth tov, and sinneth not [Ro 3:23].

21 Also take no heed unto kol dvarim that are spoken; lest thou hear thy eved curse thee;