Bible Strands
Ecclesiastes 12:10
The Teacher searched to find delightful sayings and to record accurate words of truth.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The Teacher addresses his audience at the close of his reflective discourse, summarizing the completion of his literary and pedagogical work. He speaks as an aged compiler who has finished pondering, searching, and arranging many proverbs.
The words — The verb בִּקֵּשׁ (bi.Kesh) means he sought, paired with כָּתוּב (kha.Tuv) for what was written. These terms frame the deliberate effort to locate and inscribe upright, truthful sayings.
The thread — This pursuit of accurate, life-shaping words parallels the discerning instruction in Proverbs 16:21 and the trustworthy sayings recorded in 1 Timothy 1:15. The same function of preserving authoritative teaching appears in Colossians 1:5, where written words convey stored hope.
Why it lands — The verse requires readers to treat compiled wisdom as a deliberate record of truth rather than casual observation. It demands careful examination of the inscribed words to extract practical instruction for daily conduct.
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
The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.
Cross-references
- Colossians 1:5 the faith and love proceeding from the hope stored up for you in heaven, of which you have already heard in the word of truth, the gospel
- 1 Timothy 1:15 This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst.
- Proverbs 16:21 The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction.
- Proverbs 1:1 These are the proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel,
- Proverbs 8:6 Listen, for I speak of noble things, and the opening of my lips will reveal right.
- Proverbs 15:26 The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the words of the pure are pleasant to Him.
- Proverbs 22:17 Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise—apply your mind to my knowledge—
- Proverbs 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
- Ecclesiastes 1:1 These are the words of the Teacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem:
- Proverbs 15:23 A man takes joy in a fitting reply—and how good is a timely word!