Bible Strands
Ecclesiastes 7:19
Wisdom makes the wise man stronger than ten rulers in a city.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The Teacher addresses readers in Ecclesiastes 7 while contrasting the value of wisdom with human imperfection. He writes to those navigating life's contradictions, urging them to hold to both divine warnings and practical discernment.
The words — The Hebrew verb תָּעֹז (ta.'Oz) literally means "it gives strength" and functions as the action of wisdom. It acts upon the wise man (חָכָם, cha.Kham) rather than modifying wisdom itself as an adjective.
The thread — The link between wisdom and strength appears in Proverbs 24:5, which states a wise man is strong and knowledge enhances his power. The scaling of a city by a wise man is echoed in Proverbs 21:22, while Colossians 1:9 connects wisdom to spiritual understanding rather than physical might.
Why it lands — The text declares that wisdom actively empowers the wise person beyond the combined force of ten urban rulers. It asks a reader to pursue discernment as a practical advantage rather than relying on human authority or personal perfection.
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
Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 21:22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust.
- Colossians 1:9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
- Proverbs 24:5 A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge enhances his strength.
- Ecclesiastes 9:13 I have also seen this wisdom under the sun, and it was great to me:
- 2 Samuel 20:16 a wise woman called out from the city, “Listen! Listen! Please tell Joab to come here so that I may speak with him.”