Ecclesiastes 7:12
in Ecclesiastes 7For wisdom, like money, is a shelter, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of its owner.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
For 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.
KJV
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.
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This verse in Ecclesiastes 7
Commentary
7 notes on this verseFor 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.
This site's exposition
Wisdom, like an inheritance, is good
on Ecclesiastes 7:11-12
Wisdom, like an inheritance, is good, and it benefits those who see the sun. Wisdom and money are a shelter, but knowledge holds an advantage: wisdom preserves the life of its owner. The book has called riches a gift of God at 5:19, and here it ranks wisdom above them.
This site's exposition
wisdom, like money, is a shelter
Wisdom and money are both a shadow in the Hebrew, and Gill pictures the shade where a man sits in safety. Barnes renders the last clause as wisdom giving life to its owner. Money preserves the body, Clarke adds, and wisdom the soul.
The record, by era
The Medieval Church1 voice
A commentator
BonaventureCommentary on Ecclesiastes, Chapter 7 · Written in the 13th century.
proposed
And that money is useful, he shows through its effect: "For as wisdom protects," namely from fault: Proverbs 2: "If wisdom shall enter your heart, and knowledge shall please your soul, counsel shall keep you, and prudence shall preserve you"; "so also does money protect," …
The Nineteenth Century3 voices
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.
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
proposed
Literally, (To be) in (that is, under) the shadow (Isa 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;
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — unbalanced-parens
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
Wisdom is a defense ... - See the margin and Psa 121:5, i. e., He who is defended from adversity by his wisdom is in as good a position as he who is defended by his riches. Excellency - literally, Profit. Giveth life to - literally, “Causes to live,” “makes alive” Pro 3:18; the deeper meaning of which is elicited by comparing these words with Joh 6:63; Mat 4:4.
How the passage was read
What the Jewish commentators add
For wisdom shelters [as well] as money shelters. Whoever is in the shade of wisdom is in the shade of money, for wisdom causes eventual wealth.
2 more on this passage, in their own words ▾
It is good to have wisdom, etc. Their wisdom stood for them together with the heritage of the merit of their forefathers, for wisdom is good. 30 Alternatively, נחלה refers to a monetary inheritance or a skill that is handed down from father to son (Ibn Ezra).
Consider the deeds of God. How everything is prepared according to man’s actions, the Garden of Eden for the righteous and Gehinnom for the wicked. Consider to which you should cling.
This section is reception history: how the passage was read and kept in the Jewish tradition. Where a reading parts from an essential of the Christian faith, the section says so at that point.
Texts and citation data: Sefaria; each excerpt follows its version’s licence. 1 further source is cited on this chapter that carry no English text this site may quote or only restate the verse.
The words behind it
10 Hebrew wordsEvery Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Hebrew | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| כִּ֛י | ki | for | H3588 → | 4482 times |
| בְּצֵ֥ל | betzel | [is] <in> a shade | H6738 → | 49 times |
| הַֽחָכְמָ֖ה | hachakhemah | <the> wisdom | H2451 → | 153 times |
| בְּצֵ֣ל | betzel | [is] <in> a shade | H6738 → | 49 times |
| הַכָּ֑סֶף | hakasef | <the> money | H3701 → | 403 times |
| וְיִתְר֣וֹן | veyitron | and [the] advantage of | H3504 → | 10 times |
| דַּ֔עַת | daat | knowledge | H1847 → | 92 times |
| הַֽחָכְמָ֖ה | hachakhemah | <the> wisdom | H2451 → | 153 times |
| תְּחַיֶּ֥ה | techaiyeh | it preserves alive | H2421 → | 282 times |
| בְעָלֶֽיהָ׃ | vealeiha | owners its | H1167 → | 84 times |
כִּ֛יfor
kiH3588 →4482 times
בְּצֵ֥ל[is] <in> a shade
betzelH6738 →49 times
הַֽחָכְמָ֖ה<the> wisdom
hachakhemahH2451 →153 times
בְּצֵ֣ל[is] <in> a shade
betzelH6738 →49 times
הַכָּ֑סֶף<the> money
hakasefH3701 →403 times
וְיִתְר֣וֹןand [the] advantage of
veyitronH3504 →10 times
דַּ֔עַתknowledge
daatH1847 →92 times
הַֽחָכְמָ֖ה<the> wisdom
hachakhemahH2451 →153 times
תְּחַיֶּ֥הit preserves alive
techaiyehH2421 →282 times
בְעָלֶֽיהָ׃owners its
vealeihaH1167 →84 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
John 17:3Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.
it leads to
- 1 John 5:11–12
And this is that testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- 1 John 5:20
And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true—in His Son…
- Jeremiah 9:23–24
This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches.
- John 3:17
For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.
- John 17:25
Righteous Father, although the world has not known You, I know You, and they know that You sent Me.
- 1 John 5:11–12
Through
Proverbs 2:7He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk with integrity,
it leads to
- James 3:15–17
Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
- James 3:15–17
Through
Proverbs 8:35For whoever finds me finds life and obtains the favor of the LORD.
it leads to
Where this verse is studied
By subject
Wisdom35 verses
On this page
About Ecclesiastes
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Bonaventure, Commentary on Ecclesiastes, Chapter 7; Charles Bridges, An Exposition of the Book of Ecclesiastes; Franz Delitzsch, Commentary on the Song of Songs and Ecclesiastes; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible and John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763).