Bible Strands
Ecclesiastes 10:14
Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming, and who can tell him what will come after him?
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Qohelet addresses his readers while cataloging the practical consequences of folly, right after describing the fool’s disastrous opening and closing remarks.
The words — יַרְבֶּה (yar.Beh) = he multiplies; דְבָרִ֑ים (de.va.Rim) = words. The Hebrew pairs a verb of excess with a plural noun for discourse to depict verbal overproduction.
The thread — The connection between foolish speech and future uncertainty runs through Ecclesiastes 5:3 and Proverbs 15:2, where excess words mark the fool’s mouth and contrast with the wise.
Why it lands — It demands verbal restraint and forces acceptance of human limitation regarding what the future holds.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?
Cross-references
- Proverbs 15:2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.
- Ecclesiastes 3:22 I have seen that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work, because that is his lot. For who can bring him to see what will come after him?
- Ecclesiastes 5:3 As a dream comes through many cares, so the speech of a fool comes with many words.
- Ecclesiastes 6:12 For who knows what is good for a man during the few days in which he passes through his fleeting life like a shadow? Who can tell a man what will come after him under the sun?
- Ecclesiastes 8:7 Since no one knows what will happen, who can tell him what is to come?
- James 4:13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.”
- Job 35:16 So Job opens his mouth in vain and multiplies words without knowledge.”
- Proverbs 10:19 When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.
- Job 34:37 For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.”