Ecclesiastes 10 14

Ecclesiastes 10:14 kjv

A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?

Ecclesiastes 10:14 nkjv

A fool also multiplies words. No man knows what is to be; Who can tell him what will be after him?

Ecclesiastes 10:14 niv

and fools multiply words. No one knows what is coming? who can tell someone else what will happen after them?

Ecclesiastes 10:14 esv

A fool multiplies words, though no man knows what is to be, and who can tell him what will be after him?

Ecclesiastes 10:14 nlt

they chatter on and on.
No one really knows what is going to happen;
no one can predict the future.

Ecclesiastes 10 verses

Ecclesiastes 10 14 Meaning

A fool, characterized by his lack of true wisdom and spiritual discernment, speaks extensively and often without substance or foundation. His verbose pronouncements, which may include claims about the future, are utterly baseless because humanity is fundamentally ignorant of what will come to pass, both in their immediate lives and in events after their death. This verse highlights the profound contrast between human folly, which attempts to declare the unknown, and the divine sovereignty, which alone holds knowledge of the future. The fool's excessive talk is thus revealed as empty and vain, demonstrating his profound lack of understanding regarding the inherent uncertainties of life and the limitations of human knowledge.

Ecclesiastes 10 14 Context

Ecclesiastes, known as Qoheleth, explores the meaning and purpose of life "under the sun," highlighting the vanity (Hebrew: hevel, meaning vapor or futility) of human endeavors apart from God. Chapter 10 contrasts the wisdom of the righteous with the folly of the foolish, especially concerning public conduct, governance, and speech. Verses 12-13 directly precede verse 14, describing how "the words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him; the beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is evil madness." Ecclesiastes 10:14 directly follows this by illustrating why the fool's speech is futile and destructive: he talks much, making declarations about things he cannot possibly know. This verse serves as a culmination of Qoheleth’s critique of the fool’s verbose, empty rhetoric, firmly placing the fool's proclamations within the broader context of human limitation and the absolute unknowability of the future by human means. It resonates with the pervasive theme in Ecclesiastes that humans have little control over and no true knowledge of future events, reinforcing God's exclusive domain over time and destiny.

Ecclesiastes 10 14 Word analysis

• A fool (כְּסִיל, k'sîl): This term refers to a moral and spiritual fool, not merely someone intellectually deficient. In Hebrew wisdom literature, a k'sîl is obstinate, unteachable, dismissive of God's ways, and acts contrary to wisdom, often inviting trouble. He lacks discernment and sound judgment, particularly in recognizing his own limitations.
• also multiplies (הִרְבֶּה, hirbeḥ): From the root רָבָה (rābāh), meaning "to be much" or "to increase." In the Hiphil form, it signifies causing to be much, or in this context, speaking in abundance. It suggests excessive, often verbose, or prolix speech, implying quantity over substance.
• words (דְּבָרִים, d'vārîm): While simply meaning "words," in this context, coupled with "multiplies," it implies empty, baseless, or pretentious utterances. The fool's words lack true insight, wisdom, or genuine foreknowledge, despite their abundance.
• though no man knows: This clause underscores humanity's inherent limitation regarding knowledge of the future. It sets up a direct, stark contrast with the fool’s verbosity, highlighting the irrationality of his confident pronouncements.
• what will happen: Refers to future events, whether immediate, personal, or societal. It emphasizes the unpredictability and uncertainty that are fundamental aspects of human experience "under the sun."
• and who can tell him: This is a rhetorical question that powerfully emphasizes the universal human inability to declare or reveal what the future holds. No human being, through their own intellect, wisdom, or speech, possesses this capacity.
• what will happen after him?: This phrase extends the sphere of unknowability beyond one's own lifetime. It refers to what transpires after an individual's death, concerning their legacy, their children, their wealth, or the world they leave behind. It speaks to the ultimate futility of human endeavors aimed at securing future outcomes beyond one's immediate grasp, reinforcing Qoheleth’s theme of hevel.

Words-group analysis

• "A fool... multiplies words": This phrase characterizes the essence of folly as expressed through speech. The fool is not merely mistaken; his defining characteristic includes an inability to curb his tongue, leading to an overabundance of talk that lacks value, wisdom, or truth. This prolific output of speech contrasts sharply with the prudent reserve often associated with the wise in biblical proverbs.
• "though no man knows what will happen": This pivotal clause introduces the profound human limitation that invalidates the fool’s endless chatter. It highlights that human beings, regardless of their supposed intelligence or power, possess no inherent knowledge or predictive capacity regarding the future. This fact makes the fool’s voluminous pronouncements utterly meaningless.
• "and who can tell him what will happen after him?": This rhetorical question extends the argument to encompass the ultimate mystery of one's legacy and post-death events. It emphasizes that not only is the immediate future unknown, but the very long-term outcomes and one's enduring impact are also entirely beyond human foresight or control. This underscores the vanity and ephemeral nature of human attempts to establish lasting significance without divine insight.

Ecclesiastes 10 14 Bonus section

• "Hevel" Connection: This verse perfectly encapsulates the concept of hevel (vanity/vapor) which is central to Ecclesiastes. The fool’s multi-layered words are nothing but hevel—breath, vapor, something fleeting and insubstantial. They appear weighty but contain no true substance or lasting impact.
• Divine Revelation vs. Human Speculation: The Preacher consistently asserts that knowledge of the future belongs solely to God. Any human attempt to declare it is an act of folly or presumption. This aligns with prophetic passages where God challenges false gods and idols to foretell the future as proof of their divine status, a challenge only He can meet.
• Practical Implications: The verse serves as a warning against speaking prematurely, making unfounded predictions, or giving confident advice on matters beyond one's knowledge. It encourages prudent speech, humility, and trust in divine providence over human certainty or planning.

Ecclesiastes 10 14 Commentary

Ecclesiastes 10:14 unveils a profound truth about human pride and divine sovereignty. The fool's essence is captured not just by his foolish deeds, but by his boastful and abundant words, especially those attempting to declare what lies ahead. This is a severe indictment because only God holds perfect knowledge of the future. The fool's verbosity thus exposes his deepest folly: claiming foresight over that which is entirely beyond human grasp, both concerning immediate events and the distant consequences of actions or legacy. His speech is "empty wind," detached from reality, contributing to his downfall and reflecting the "vanity" of life lived apart from discerning the true source of all wisdom and knowledge. The verse serves as a powerful reminder for humanity to embrace humility regarding their limited knowledge and to acknowledge God's exclusive domain over time and destiny.