Ecclesiastes 7:12-14 ESV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:11-22

Solomon, in these verses, recommends wisdom to us as the best antidote against those distempers of mind which we are liable to, by reason of the vanity and vexation of spirit that there are in the things of this world. Here are some of the praises and the precepts of wisdom. I. The praises of wisdom. Many things are here said in its commendation, to engage us to get and retain wisdom. 1. Wisdom is necessary to the right managing and improving of our worldly possessions: Wisdom is good with an... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:13

Consider the work of God ,.... This is dressed to those who thought the former days better than the present, and were ready to quarrel with the providence of God, Ecclesiastes 7:10 ; and are therefore advised to consider the work of God; not the work of creation, but of providence; which is the effect of divine sovereignty, and is conducted and directed according to the counsel of his will, and is always wisely done to answer the best ends and purposes: everything is beautiful in its... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:14

In the day of prosperity be joyful ,.... Or, "in a good day" F17 ביום טובה "in die bono", Pagninus, Montanus, Mercerus, Gejerus. . When things go well in the commonwealth, in a man's family, and with himself, health, peace, and plenty, are enjoyed, a man's circumstances are thriving and flourishing; it becomes him to be thankful to God, freely and cheerfully to enjoy what is bestowed on him, and do good with it: or, "be in good" F18 היה בטוב "esto in bono", Pagninus,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 7:12

Wisdom is a defense - To whom Solomon answers: All true wisdom is most undoubtedly a great advantage to men in all circumstances; and money is also of great use: but it cannot be compared to wisdom. Knowledge of Divine and human things is a great blessing. Money is the means of supporting our animal life: but wisdom - the religion of the true God - gives life to them that have it. Money cannot procure the favor of God, nor give life to the soul. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 7:13

Consider the work of God - Such is the nature of his providence, that it puts money into the hands of few: but wisdom is within the reach of all. The first is not necessary to happiness; therefore, it is not offered to men; the latter is; and therefore God, in his goodness, offers it to the whole human race. The former can rarely be acquired, for God puts it out of the reach of most men, and you cannot make that straight which he has made crooked; the latter may be easily attained by every... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 7:14

In the day of prosperity be joyful - When ye receive these temporal gifts from God, enjoy them, and be thankful to the Giver: but remember, this sunshine will not always last. God has balanced prosperity and adversity against each other; and were it not so, how many would put the former in the place of God himself! read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:8-14

Section 2. Here follow some recommendations to patience and resignation under the ordering of God's providence. Such conduct is shown to be true wisdom. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:12

For wisdom is a defense, and money is a defense ; literally, in the shade is wisdom , in the shade is money ; Septuagint, ὅτι ἐν σκιᾷ αὐτῆς ἡ σοφία ὡς σκιὰ ἀργυρίου , "For in its shadow wisdom is as the shadow of money." Symmachus has, σκέπει σοφία ὡς σκέπει τὸ ἀργύριον , "Wisdom shelters as money shelters." The Vulgate explains the obscure text by paraphrasing, Sieur enirn protegit sapientia, sic protegit petunia . Shadow, in Oriental phrase, is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:13

Consider the work of God . Here is another reason against murmuring and hasty judgment. True wisdom is shown by submission to the inevitable. In all that happens one ought to recognize God's work and God's ordering, and man's impotence. For who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked? The things which God hath made crooked are the anomalies, the crosses, the difficulties, which meet us in life. Some would include bodily deformities, which seems to be a piece of unnecessary... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:11-22

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:14

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 7:12

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 7:13

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 7:14

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:8-14

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:12

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:13

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