Ecclesiastes 7 · Verse 11

Ecclesiastes 7:11

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

Ecclesiastes 7:11, King James Version

Ecclesiastes 7:11 in other translations

BSB	Wisdom, like an inheritance, is good, and it benefits those who see the sun.
WEB	Wisdom is as good as an inheritance. Yes, it is more excellent for those who see the sun.
ASV	Wisdom is as good as an inheritance; yea, more excellent is it for them that see the sun.
YLT	Wisdom is good with an inheritance, And an advantage it is to those beholding the sun.
DARBY	Wisdom is as good as an inheritance, and profitable to them that see the sun.
BBE	Wisdom together with a heritage is good, and a profit to those who see the sun.
Webster	Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.

What does Ecclesiastes 7:11 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

11. Rather, "Wisdom, as compared with an inheritance, is good," that is, is as good as an inheritance; "yea, better (literally, and a profit) to them that see the sun" (that is, the living, Ec 11:7; Job 3:16; Psa 49:19).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance - In this chapter Solomon introduces many observations which appear to be made by objectors against his doctrine; and as he was satisfied of their futility, he proposes them in their own full strength, and then combats and destroys them. It is quite necessary to attend to this; else we shall take the objector's words for those of Solomon; and think, as some have done, that the wise man contradicts and refutes himself. Observations, reflections, and objections of friends and adversaries are frequently introduced in the works of ancient authors, without mentioning them as such. This is frequent, more particularly in ethic writers; and we have many specimens in Horace, and without this distinction, it would be impossible to make sense of some of his writings. Here, an objector who had listened to the wise man declaiming in favor of wisdom, suddenly interrupts him, and says in effect, "I grant the truth of what you have said. Wisdom is very good in its place; but what is it without property? A man who has a good inheritance may be profited by wisdom, because it will show him how to manage it to the best advantage."

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Ecclesiastes 7:11-22

Wisdom is as good as an inheritance, yea better. It shelters from the storms and scorching heat of trouble. Wealth will not lengthen out the natural life; but true wisdom will give spiritual life, and strengthen men for services under their sufferings. Let us look upon the disposal of our condition as the work of God, and at last all will appear to have been for the best. In acts of righteousness, be not carried into heats or passions, no, not by a zeal for God. Be not conceited of thine own abilities; nor find fault with every thing, nor busy thyself in other men's matters. Many who will not be wrought upon by the fear of God, and the dread of hell, will avoid sins which ruin their health and estate, and expose to public justice. But those that truly fear God, have but one end to serve, therefore act steadily. If we say we have not sinned, we deceive ourselves. Every true believer is ready to say, God be merciful to me a sinner. Forget not at the same time, that personal righteousness, walking in newness of life, is the only real evidence of an interest by faith in the righteousness of the Redeemer. Wisdom teaches us not to be quick in resenting affronts. Be not desirous to know what people say; if they speak well of thee, it will feed thy pride, if ill, it will stir up thy passion. See that thou approve thyself to God and thine own conscience, and then heed not what men say of thee; it is easier to pass by twenty affronts than to avenge one. When any harm is done to us, examine whether we have not done as bad to others.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Ecclesiastes 7:11 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

טוֹבָ֥הto.Vah[is] goodH2896

חָכְמָ֖הchokh.mahwisdomH2451

עִֽם\־'im-withH5973

נַחֲלָ֑הna.cha.Lahan inheritanceH5159

וְיֹתֵ֖רve.yo.Terand [is] an advantageH3148

לְרֹאֵ֥יle.ro.'Eito [those who] seeH7200

הַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ\׃ha.Sha.mesh<of> the sunH8121

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Ecclesiastes 7:11

Ecclesiastes 11:7
Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun:
1 Timothy 6:17-19
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
Proverbs 8:10-11
Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
Ecclesiastes 2:13
Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.
Ecclesiastes 9:15-18
Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.
Luke 16:8-9
And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light. And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.
1 Kings 3:6-9
And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

good with an inheritance. or, as good as an inheritance,yea, better too.
9:15-18; 1Ki 3:6-9; Lu 16:8,9; 1Ti 6:17-19
them.
11:7

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

Ecclesiastes 7:10
Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.
Ecclesiastes 7:11
Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.
Ecclesiastes 7:12
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.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 7

Ecclesiastes 7:11 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Buena es la ciencia con herencia; y más á los que ven el sol.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	La sagesse est aussi bonne qu’un héritage, et profitable pour ceux qui voient le soleil;
German Elberfelder 1871	Weisheit ist gut wie ein Erbbesitz, und ein Vorteil für die, welche die Sonne sehen.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Ne dicas: Quid putas causæ est quod priora tempora meliora fuere quam nunc sunt? stulta enim est hujuscemodi interrogatio.