Ecclesiastes 7:11-22

The Importance of Practical Wisdom (Ecclesiastes 7:11).

Wisdom As A Defence (Ecclesiastes 7:11).

Having wisdom is a good foundation for life, for it provides a form of defence in times of trouble, and may even result in preserving a man's life.

Ecclesiastes 7:11

‘Wisdom is as good as an inheritance, yes, more excellent is it for those who see the sun. For wisdom is a defence, even as money is a defence. But the excellency of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.'

Those who ‘see the sun' are those who survive childbirth (compare Ecclesiastes 6:5). For those, while an inheritance is good, and welcome, they should recognise that it is not as valuable as wisdom. Both wealth and wisdom may be helpful in defending one's position and status, but wisdom also aids survival when things are difficult, whereas an antagonist may be willing to kill a man for his money.

‘For wisdom is a defence, even as money is a defence.' The Hebrew is terse. ‘In the shadow of wisdom. In the shadow of money.'