Ecclésiaste 7:7

7 Certainement l'oppression peut faire perdre le sens au sage; et le présent corrompt le cœur.

Ecclésiaste 7:7 Meaning and Commentary

Ecclesiastes 7:7

Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad
Which is to be understood either passively, when he is oppressed by others, or sees others oppressed; it raises indignation in him, disturbs his mind, and he is ready to pass a wrong judgment on the dispensations of Providence, and to say rash and unadvised things concerning them, ( Psalms 73:2 Psalms 73:3 Psalms 73:12-14 ) ; or actively, of oppression with which he oppresses others; when he gives into such measures, his wisdom departs from him, his mind is besotted, he acts the part of a madman, and pierces himself through with many sorrows. Some understand this of wealth got in an ill way; or of gifts given to bribe men to do injury to others; and which the following clause is thought to explain; and a gift destroyeth the heart;
blinds the eyes of judges other ways wise; perverts their judgment, and causes them to pass a wrong sentence, as well as perverts justice: or, "and destroys the heart of gifts" ^F11; a heart that is possessed of the gifts of wisdom and knowledge; or a munificent heart, a heart disposed to give bountifully and liberally, that oppression destroys and renders useless.

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FOOTNOTES:

F11 (hntm bl ta dbayw) "et frangit cor dotibus praeclaris ornatum", Tigurine version; so some Jewish writers in Mercerus.

Ecclésiaste 7:7 In-Context

5 Mieux vaux entendre la répréhension du sage, que d'entendre la chanson des insensés.

6 Car tel qu'est le bruit des épines sous la chaudière, tel est le rire de l'insensé. Cela aussi est une vanité.

7 Certainement l'oppression peut faire perdre le sens au sage; et le présent corrompt le cœur.

8 Mieux vaut la fin d'une chose que son commencement; mieux vaut un esprit patient qu'un esprit hautain.

9 Ne te hâte point dans ton esprit de t'irriter; car l'irritation repose dans le sein des insensés.