Ecclesiastes 7:19-24

Context

Wisdom Needed Because No One is Truly Righteous

7:19 Wisdom gives a wise person more protection¹

than ten rulers in a city.

7:20 For² there is not one truly³ righteous person on the earth

who continually does good and never sins.

7:21 Also, do not pay attention to everything that people⁴ say;

otherwise,⁵ you might even hear⁶ your servant cursing you.

7:22 For you know in your own heart⁷

that you also have cursed others many times.

Human Wisdom is Limited

7:23 I have examined all this by wisdom;

I said, “I am determined⁸ to comprehend this”⁹ – but it was beyond my grasp.¹⁰

7:24 Whatever has happened is beyond human¹¹ understanding;¹²

it is far deeper than anyone can fathom.¹³

[7:19] ¹tn Heb “gives strength.”

[7:20] ²tn The introductory particle כִּי (ki) is rendered variously: “for” (KJV); “indeed” (NASB); not translated (NIV); “for” (NJPS). The particle functions in an explanatory sense, explaining the need for wisdom in v. 19. Righteousness alone cannot always protect a person from calamity (7:15-16); therefore, something additional, such as wisdom, is needed. The need for wisdom as protection from calamity is particularly evident in the light of the fact that no one is truly righteous (7:19-20).

[7:20] ³tn The term “truly” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for clarity. Qoheleth does not deny the existence of some people who are relatively righteous.

[7:21] ⁴tn Heb “they”; the referent (people) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[7:21] ⁵tn Heb “so that you do not hear…”; or “lest you hear….”

[7:21] ⁶tn The imperfect tense verb תִשְׁמַע (tishma’; from שָׁמַע [shama’, “to hear”]) functions in a modal sense, denoting possibility: “you might hear” (see IBHS 508 §31.4e).

[7:22] ⁷tn Heb “your heart knows.”

[7:23] ⁸tn The cohortative אֶחְכָּמָה (’ekhkamah, from חָכַם, khakham,“to be wise”) emphasizes the resolve (determination) of Qoheleth to become wise enough to understand the perplexities of life.

[7:23] ⁹tn Or “I am determined to become wise”

[7:23] ¹⁰tn Or “but it eluded me”; Heb “but it was far from me.”

[7:24] ¹¹tn The word “human” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.

[7:24] ¹²tn Heb “is far away.”

[7:24] ¹³tn Heb “It is deep, deep – who can find it?” The repetition of the word “deep” emphasizes the degree of incomprehensibility. See IBHS 233-34 §12.5a.