Ecclesiastes 7:12

12 Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves those who have it.

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Ecclesiastes 7:12 in Other Translations

KJV

12 For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.

ESV

12 For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.

NLT

12 Wisdom and money can get you almost anything, but only wisdom can save your life.

MSG

12 Double protection: wisdom and wealth! Plus this bonus: Wisdom energizes its owner.

CSB

12 For wisdom is protection as money is protection, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of its owner.

Ecclesiastes 7:12 Meaning and Commentary

Ecclesiastes 7:12

For wisdom [is] a defence, [and] money [is] a defence
Or, a "shadow" of refreshment and protection, under which men sit with pleasure and safety; a man by his wisdom, and so by his money, is able to defend himself against the injuries and oppressions of others, and especially when both meet in one and the same man. Jarchi renders and interprets it,

``he that is in the shadow of wisdom is in the shadow of money, for wisdom is the cause why riches come;''

and so the Targum,

``as a man is hid in the shadow of wisdom, so he is hid in the shadow of money, when he does alms with it;''

compare with this ( Luke 16:9 ) ; see ( Ecclesiastes 7:19 ) ( 9:16 ) ( Proverbs 18:11 ) . Theognis

FOOTNOTES:

F15 has a saying much like this,

``riches and wisdom are always inexpugnable to mortals;''

but the excellency of knowledge [is, that] wisdom giveth life to them
that have it;
or, "the excellency of the knowledge of wisdom giveth life" ^F16 not of natural wisdom, or the knowledge of natural and civil things, the vanity of this is exposed, before by the wise man; but the knowledge of God in Christ; the knowledge of Christ, who is the Wisdom of God; and of the Gospel, and of all divine and spiritual things: this is a superior excellency to riches, which often expose a man's life to danger, cannot preserve him from a corporeal death, much less from an eternal one. When this is the excellency of spiritual knowledge, that spiritual life goes along with it; such as are spiritually enlightened are spiritually quickened; live by faith on Christ, whom they know; and, through the knowledge of him, have all things pertaining to life and godliness, and have both a right and meetness for eternal life; yea, this knowledge is life eternal, ( John 17:3 ) ; see ( 2 Peter 1:3 ) ; and this is the pure gift of Wisdom, or of Christ, and not owing to the merit of men, or works done in obedience to the law, which cannot give this life; see ( John 17:2 ) ( 10:28 ) ( Romans 6:23 ) ( Galatians 3:21 ) .
F15 Sententiae, v. 1153.
F16 (hyxt hmkxh ted Nwrtyw) "et praestantia scientiae sapientiae vivificabit", Montanus.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Ecclesiastes 7:12 In-Context

10 Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is not wise to ask such questions.

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

12 Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves those who have it.

13 Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what he has made crooked?

14 When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future.