Ecclesiastes 7

King James Version

Full text for Ecclesiastes Chapter 7

1¶ A good name [is] better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.

2[It is] better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that [is] the end of all men; and the living will lay [it] to his heart.

3Sorrow [is] better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.

4The heart of the wise [is] in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools [is] in the house of mirth.

5[It is] better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.

6For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so [is] the laughter of the fool: this also [is] vanity.

7¶ Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.

8Better [is] the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: [and] the patient in spirit [is] better than the proud in spirit.

9Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

10Say not thou, What is [the cause] that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.

11¶ Wisdom [is] good with an inheritance: and [by it there is] profit to them that see the sun.

12For wisdom [is] a defence, [and] money [is] a defence: but the excellency of knowledge [is, that] wisdom giveth life to them that have it.

13Consider the work of God: for who can make [that] straight, which he hath made crooked?

14In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.

15All [things] have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just [man] that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked [man] that prolongeth [his life] in his wickedness.

16Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?

17Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?

18[It is] good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.

19Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty [men] which are in the city.

20For [there is] not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

21Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:

22For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.

23¶ All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it [was] far from me.

24That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?

25I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason [of things], and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness [and] madness:

26And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart [is] snares and nets, [and] her hands [as] bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.

27Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, [counting] one by one, to find out the account:

28Which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found.

29Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Ecclesiastes 7 emphasizes the superiority of a good name and the reflective wisdom found in mourning over fleeting pleasures. It contrasts the beneficial rebuke of the wise with the empty laughter of fools, advocating for patience and a measured spirit. The Preacher highlights wisdom's protective power and acknowledges humanity's universal sinfulness, concluding that while God made man upright, people have sought out many complex inventions.

Medium Summary

Ecclesiastes 7 opens by asserting that a good name is more valuable than precious ointment, and the day of death is preferable to the day of one's birth, advocating for the sober reflection found in the house of mourning over the fleeting joy of feasting. The Preacher posits that sorrow can improve the heart, and the rebuke of the wise is superior to the song of fools, whose laughter is transient vanity. The chapter warns against the corrupting effects of oppression and gifts, and advises patience, avoiding hasty anger, and not idealizing past times. Wisdom is presented as a defense, superior to money as it gives life, and the Preacher urges acceptance of both prosperity and adversity as part of God's unchangeable design. He observes the paradox of the righteous perishing and the wicked prospering, cautioning against extremes of righteousness or wickedness, and stressing that fearing God leads to safety. The chapter concludes with the Preacher's personal quest for elusive wisdom, his finding that a wicked woman is more bitter than death, and the ultimate realization that God made man upright, but humanity has sought out many complex "inventions."

Long Summary

Ecclesiastes 7 opens with a series of comparisons, asserting that a good name surpasses precious ointment, and the day of death is better than the day of birth, encouraging a contemplative approach to life. It advocates for visiting the house of mourning over the house of feasting, as sorrow is deemed more beneficial than laughter, refining the heart. The Preacher highlights the wisdom found in accepting rebuke from the wise, contrasting it with the fleeting and vain laughter of fools. Further counsel is given against the corrupting influence of oppression and bribes, and the importance of patience over pride, urging against hasty anger and the nostalgic idealization of former days. The chapter then extols wisdom as a valuable inheritance and a defense, noting its superiority to money because it imparts life to its possessors. It calls for consideration of God's unchangeable work, advising acceptance of both prosperous and adverse circumstances as divinely appointed, preventing man from fully comprehending his future. The Preacher reflects on the paradox of the righteous sometimes perishing and the wicked sometimes prospering, leading to an admonition against excessive righteousness or wickedness, emphasizing that true security lies in fearing God. He asserts that wisdom strengthens the wise more than physical might and acknowledges the universal truth that no person on earth is so righteous as to never sin. Practical advice is offered to not heed every word spoken, recognizing one's own propensity to err. The Preacher recounts his personal, arduous quest for wisdom, admitting its profound elusiveness. In his search, he identifies the wicked woman as more bitter than death, a snare to those who do not please God. He concludes his extensive search by observing the extreme rarity of finding truly upright individuals, whether male or female, among humanity. Ultimately, the Preacher affirms that God created mankind upright, but humanity has subsequently sought out and devised a multitude of complex "inventions" or schemes.

Core Concepts

  • Good Name and DeathThe chapter begins by valuing a good reputation above material luxury and suggesting that the day of death is preferable to birth, as it marks the end of all men and prompts reflection.
  • Wisdom vs. FollyWisdom is consistently presented as superior, with its rebuke being more beneficial than the fleeting, vain laughter of fools. The wise heart seeks understanding in sober places, while the foolish heart seeks mirth.
  • Patience and TemperanceThe Preacher advises against hasty anger and pride, advocating for patience in spirit and a balanced approach to life, neither being excessively righteous nor overly wicked.
  • God's Unchangeable WorkThe chapter emphasizes that God has ordained both prosperity and adversity, and man cannot alter His work, encouraging acceptance of divine providence.
  • Universal SinfulnessA key concept is the assertion that "there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not," highlighting the inherent imperfection of all humanity.
  • Elusiveness of WisdomThe Preacher's personal quest for wisdom reveals its profound depth and difficulty to fully grasp, suggesting it remains largely beyond human comprehension.
  • Man's InventionsThe chapter concludes with the observation that while God created mankind upright, humanity has since devised numerous complex and often corrupting "inventions" or schemes, departing from their original simplicity.