Internet Verse Search Commentaries Word Analysis ITL - draft

Ecclesiastes 10:10

NETBible	If an iron axhead¹ is blunt and a workman² does not sharpen³ its edge,⁴ he must exert a great deal of effort;⁵ so wisdom has the advantage of giving success.
NIV © biblegateway Ecc 10:10	If the axe is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring success.
NASB © biblegateway Ecc 10:10	If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength. Wisdom has the advantage of giving success.
NLT © biblegateway Ecc 10:10	Since a dull ax requires great strength, sharpen the blade. That’s the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed.
MSG © biblegateway Ecc 10:10	Remember: The duller the ax the harder the work; Use your head: The more brains, the less muscle.
BBE © SABDAweb Ecc 10:10	If the iron has no edge, and he does not make it sharp, then he has to put out more strength; but wisdom makes things go well.
NRSV © bibleoremus Ecc 10:10	If the iron is blunt, and one does not whet the edge, then more strength must be exerted; but wisdom helps one to succeed.
NKJV © biblegateway Ecc 10:10	If the ax is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success.
[+] More English


KJV	If the iron <01270> be blunt <06949> (8765)_, and he do not whet <07043> (8773) the edge <06440>_, then must he put <01396> (8762) to more strength <02428>_: but wisdom <02451> [is] profitable <03504> to direct <03787> (8687)_.
NASB © biblegateway Ecc 10:10	If <0518> the axe <01270> is dull <06949> and he does not sharpen <07043> its edge <06440> , then he must exert <01396> more strength <02428> . Wisdom <02451> has the advantage <03504> of giving <03787> success <03787> .
LXXM	ean <1437> CONJ ekpesh <1601> V-AAS-3S to <3588> T-NSN sidhrion {N-NSN} kai <2532> CONJ autov <846> D-NSM proswpon <4383> N-ASN etaraxen <5015> V-AAI-3S kai <2532> CONJ dunameiv <1411> N-APF dunamwsei <1412> V-FAI-3S kai <2532> CONJ perisseia <4050> N-NSF tou <3588> T-GSM andreiou {A-GSM} sofia <4678> N-NSF
NET [draft] ITL	If <0518> an iron <01270> axhead is blunt <06949> and a workman <01931> does not <03808> sharpen <07043> its edge <06440> , he must exert a great deal <01396> of effort <02428> ; so wisdom <02451> has the advantage <03504> of giving success <03787> .
HEBREW	hmkx <02451> *ryskh <03787> Nwrtyw <03504> rbgy <01396> Mylyxw <02428> lqlq <07043> Mynp <06440> al <03808> awhw <01931> lzrbh <01270> hhq <06949> Ma (10:10) <0518>

NETBible

If an iron axhead¹ is blunt and a workman² does not sharpen³ its edge,⁴ he must exert a great deal of effort;⁵ so wisdom has the advantage of giving success.

NET Notes

¹tn The term “ax head” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for clarity. The preceding noun “iron” functions as a metonymy of material (i.e., iron) for the object with which it is associated (i.e., ax head).

²tn Heb “he”; the referent (the workman) is implied, and has been specified in the translation for clarity

³tn The verb קלל in the Pilpel means “to sharpen; to make a blade sharp” (HALOT 1104 s.v. קלל 1).This denominative verb is derived from the rare noun II קָלַל “smooth; shiny” (referring to bronze; Ezek 1:7; Dan 10:6; HALOT 1105 s.v.). Sharpening the blade or head of a bronze ax will make it smooth and shiny. It is not derived from I קָלַל (qalal) “to treat light” or the noun I קְלָלָה (qÿlalah) “curse.” Nor is it related to I קָלַל “to shake” (Ezek 21:26); cf. HALOT 1104. BDB 886 s.v. קָלַל 2 erroneously relates it to I קָלַל, suggesting “to whet” or “to move quickly to and fro.”

⁴tn Heb “face.”

⁵tn Heb “strength.” The term וַחֲיָלִים (vakhayalim, conjunction + plural noun from חַיִל, khayil, “strength; efficiency”) is an example of a plural of intensification (GKC 397-98 §124.e). The point is that it is a waste of a great deal of strength and energy. If a person is not smart, he will have to use a lot of energy and waste his efficiency.