Ecclesiastes 7:11

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Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes 7

Ecclesiastes 7:11

11 Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing and benefits those who see the sun.

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Ecclesiastes 7:11 in Other Translations

KJV

11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.

ESV

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

NLT

11 Wisdom is even better when you have money. Both are a benefit as you go through life.

MSG

11 Wisdom is better when it's paired with money, Especially if you get both while you're still living.

CSB

11 Wisdom is as good as an inheritance, and 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.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible