Ecclesiastes 7 · Verse 12

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.
Ecclesiastes 7:12, King James Version

Ecclesiastes 7:12 in other translations

BSBFor wisdom, like money, is a shelter, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of its owner.
WEBFor wisdom is a defense, even as money is a defense; but the excellency of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.
ASVFor wisdom is a defence, even as money is a defence; but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom preserveth the life of him that hath it.
YLTFor wisdom is a defense, money is a defence, And the advantage of the knowledge of wisdom is, She reviveth her possessors.
DARBYFor wisdom is a defence as money is a defence; but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom maketh them that possess it to live.
BBEWisdom keeps a man from danger even as money does; but the value of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to its owner.
WebsterFor wisdom is a defense, and money is a defense: but the excellence of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.

What does Ecclesiastes 7:12 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
12. Literally, (To be) in (that is, under) the shadow (Is 30:2) of wisdom (is the same as to be) in (under) the shadow of money; wisdom no less shields one from the ills of life than money does. is, that--rather, "the excellency of the knowledge of wisdom giveth life," that is, life in the highest sense, here and hereafter (Pr 3:18; Joh 17:3; 2Pe 1:3). Wisdom (religion) cannot be lost as money can. It shields one in adversity, as well as prosperity; money, only in prosperity. The question in Ec 7:10 implies a want of it.

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 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.

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…

Read the full comment on Ecclesiastes 7:11-22 →

Ecclesiastes 7:12 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.

כִּ֛יkiforH3588
בְּצֵ֥לbe.Tzel[is] <in> a shadeH6738
הַֽחָכְמָ֖הha.cha.khe.Mah<the> wisdomH2451
בְּצֵ֣לbe.Tzel[is] <in> a shadeH6738
הַכָּ֑סֶףha.Ka.sef<the> moneyH3701
וְיִתְר֣וֹןve.yit.Ronand [the] advantage ofH3504
דַּ֔עַתDa.'atknowledgeH1847
הַֽחָכְמָ֖הha.cha.khe.Mah<the> wisdomH2451
תְּחַיֶּ֥הte.chai.Yehit preserves aliveH2421
בְעָלֶֽיהָ\׃ve.'a.Lei.haowners itsH1167

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

Cross references for Ecclesiastes 7:12

  • Proverbs 8:35

    For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord.

  • Proverbs 2:7

    He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.

  • Proverbs 3:18

    She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.

  • Proverbs 11:4

    Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.

  • Judges 9:15

    And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.

  • John 12:50

    And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

  • Proverbs 18:10-11

    The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.

  • John 17:3

    And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

  • Isaiah 33:6

    And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the Lord is his treasure.

  • Proverbs 9:11

    For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.

  • Job 1:10

    Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.

  • Proverbs 2:11

    Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
wisdom.
Job 1:10; 22:21-25; Pr 2:7,11; 14:20; 18:10,11; Isa 33:6
a defence. Heb. a shadow.
Jud 9:15; Ps 57:1; Isa 30:2; 32:2
the excellency.
De 30:19,20; 32:47; Pr 3:18; 8:35; 9:11; 11:4; Joh 12:50; 17:3
Php 3:8

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

Context

  • 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.

  • Ecclesiastes 7:13

    Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?

Read all of Ecclesiastes 7

Ecclesiastes 7:12 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Porque escudo es la ciencia, y escudo es el dinero: mas la sabiduría excede en que da vida á sus poseedores.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		car on est à l’ombre de la sagesse comme à l’ombre de l’argent; mais l’avantage de la connaissance, c’est que la sagesse fait vivre celui qui la possède.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Denn im Schatten ist, wer Weisheit hat, im Schatten, wer Geld hat aber der Vorzug der Erkenntnis ist dieser, daß die Weisheit ihren Besitzern Leben gibt
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Utilior est sapientia cum divitiis, et magis prodest videntibus solem.