Bible Strands
Ecclesiastes 7:5
It is better to heed a wise man’s rebuke than to listen to the song of fools.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The author of Ecclesiastes addresses readers within a broader meditation on the proper disposition of the heart, directly contrasting the house of mourning with the house of pleasure in the surrounding verses. He delivers this instruction as a practical comparison between two competing sources of influence.
The words — The Hebrew טוֹב (tov) establishes a comparative value, rendered literally as "good" or "better." The phrase לִשְׁמֹעַ גַּעֲרַת חָכָם (li-shmoa ga'arat chakham) translates directly to "to listen to the rebuke of a wise man."
The thread — The priority of corrective instruction over hollow amusement runs through Proverbs 15:31 and Psalms 141:5, where reproof is associated with wisdom and steadfast devotion. This pattern continues in Revelation 3:19, which links divine rebuke to love and the demand for earnest repentance.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to choose sober correction over the empty entertainment of fools. It demands a deliberate acceptance of uncomfortable instruction rather than a pursuit of fleeting amusement.
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
It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 15:31 He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.
- Psalms 141:5 Let the righteous man strike me; let his rebuke be an act of loving devotion. It is oil for my head; let me not refuse it. For my prayer is ever against the deeds of the wicked.
- Revelation 3:19 Those I love I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent.
- Proverbs 9:8 Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
- Proverbs 13:18 Poverty and shame come to him who ignores discipline, but whoever heeds correction is honored.
- Proverbs 17:10 A rebuke cuts into a man of discernment deeper than a hundred lashes cut into a fool.
- Proverbs 27:6 The wounds of a friend are faithful, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
- Psalms 69:12 Those who sit at the gate mock me, and I am the song of drunkards.
- Proverbs 13:13 He who despises instruction will pay the penalty, but the one who respects a command will be rewarded.