Ecclesiastes 7:19

19 Wisdom makes one wise person more powerful than ten rulers in a city.

Ecclesiastes 7:19 in Other Translations

KJV
19 Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.
ESV
19 Wisdom gives strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.
NLT
19 One wise person is stronger than ten leading citizens of a town!
MSG
19 Wisdom puts more strength in one wise person Than ten strong men give to a city.
CSB
19 Wisdom makes the wise man stronger than ten rulers of a city.

Ecclesiastes 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.''

Ecclesiastes 7:19 In-Context

17 Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool— why die before your time?
18 It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. Whoever fears God will avoid all extremes.
19 Wisdom makes one wise person more powerful than ten rulers in a city.
20 Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins.
21 Do not pay attention to every word people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you—

Cross References 2

  • 1. S Ecclesiastes 2:13
  • 2. S Proverbs 8:14; Ecclesiastes 9:13-18
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