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. WISDOM (IS) A DEFENSE - literally, (To be) in (i:e., under) the shadow () of wisdom (is the same as to be) in (under) the shadow of money; i:e., wisdom no less shields one from the ills of life than money does. As heat is the great plague in the East, so it expresses tribulation; and shadow expresses shelter from tribulation. THE EXCELLENCY OF KNOWLEDGE (IS, THAT) WISDOM GIVETH LIFE TO THEM THAT HAVE IT. Or, as the Chaldaic, Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic, 'the excellency of the knowledge of wisdom giveth life' - i:e., life in the highest sense, here and hereafter (;...

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 into heats or passions, no, not by a zeal for God. Be not conceited of thine own abilities; nor find fault with every thing, nor busy thyself in other men's matters. Many who will not be wrought upon by the fear of God, and the dread of hell, will avoid sins which ruin their health and estate, and expose to public justice. But those that truly fear God, have but one end to serve, therefore act steadily. If we say we have not sinned, we deceive ourselves. Every true believe...

Verse Ecclesiastes 7:12. _WISDOM_ IS _A DEFENCE_] 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 favour of God, nor give _life_ to the soul....

WISDOM IS A DEFENSE ... - See the margin and Psalms 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” Proverbs 3:18; the deeper meaning of which is elicited by comparing these words with John 6:63; Matthew 4:4....

EXPOSITION ECCLESIASTES 7:1 Ecclesiastes 12:8.—Division II. DEDUCTIONS FROM THE ABOVE-MENTIONED EXPERIENCES IN THE WAY OF WARNINGS AND RULES OF LIFE. ECCLESIASTES 7:1 Section 1. Though no man knows for certain what is best, yet there are _some practical rules for the conduct of life which wisdom gives_._ _Some of these Koheleth sets forward in the prov

FOR 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. Jarchi renders and interprets it, "he that is in the shadow of wisdom is in the shadow of money, for wisdom is the cause why riches come;'' and so the Targum, "as a man is hid in the shadow of wisdom, so he is hid in the shadow of money, when he does alms with it;'' compare with this Luke 16:9; see Ecclesiastes 7:19. Theognis o has a saying much like this, "riches and wisdom are always inexpugnable to mortals;''...

PART II. CHAPTER S 7-12 1. The Good Advice of the Natural Man, Discouragement and Failure CHAPTER 7 _ 1. The better things (Ecclesiastes 7:1)_ 2. The anomalies (Ecclesiastes 7:15) 3. The strength of wisdom, yet none perfect (Ecclesiastes 7:19) 4. The worst thing he found (Ecclesiastes 7:23) Ecclesiastes 7:1. All had been tested by the royal searcher; all was found out to be vanity and vexation of spirit. Darkness, discouragement, uncertainty and despai

PROVERBS AND REFLECTIONS. After asking, What is good for man in life? (Ecclesiastes 6:12), Qoheleth gives us advice as to what a man may do by way of mitigating his worries. First of all it is advisable for him to cultivate seriousness rather than levity (Ecclesiastes 7:1). The curious remark that a (good) name is better than precious ointment (_cf._ Ca. Ecclesiastes 1:3 *) is in the Heb. a play on the words _shem_ and _shemen;_ ointment is highly esteemed in the East. Ecclesiastes 7:1_ b_ reminds us of the Thracian tribe mentioned by Herodotus ...

LIFE. future life. See note on Leviticus 18:5....

_For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence_ Better, AS A SHADOW, or, AS A SHELTER, in both clauses. The Hebrew, as the italics shew, has no "and." "Shadow" as in Psalms 17:8; Psalms 91:1, stands for shelter and protection. This, the writer says, not without a touch of his wonted irony in coupling the two things together, to those who looked to wealth as their only means of safety (Proverbs 13:8), is found not less effectually in wisdom. _but the excellency of knowledge_ Better, THE PROFIT, thus keeping up what we may call the catch-word of the book. Wisdom, the DEBATER says, does more than give shelter, as money, in its way, does. It quickens those who have it to a new and higher life.