Ecclesiastes 12:11 kjv
The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.
Ecclesiastes 12:11 nkjv
The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd.
Ecclesiastes 12:11 niv
The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails?given by one shepherd.
Ecclesiastes 12:11 esv
The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd.
Ecclesiastes 12:11 nlt
The words of the wise are like cattle prods ? painful but helpful. Their collected sayings are like a nail-studded stick with which a shepherd drives the sheep.
Ecclesiastes 12 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Eccl 12:11 | "The words of the wise are like goads" | Prov 1:7 (Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.) |
| Eccl 12:11 | "and like firmly planted nails" | Prov 10:11 (The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.) |
| Eccl 12:11 | "are the words of the teachers" | Jer 3:15 (Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.) |
| Eccl 12:11 | "given from one Shepherd." | John 10:11 (I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.) |
| Prov 22:20 | "Have you not commanded thirty »traditions« and »knowledge« in your counsels?" | Psalm 19:7 (The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.) |
| Prov 25:12 | "Like a gold earring or an ornament of fine gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear." | Col 1:28 (Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.) |
| Prov 26:4-5 | "Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. Answer the fool according to his folly, lest he think himself wise." | 1 Cor 14:33 (For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints.) |
| Isa 8:11 | "For the LORD spoke to me with a strong hand, and instructed me not to walk in the way of this people, saying:" | Gal 5:22-23 (But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.) |
| Acts 18:24-25 | "Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And he spoke with great fervor in the Spirit, and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John." | Eph 4:11-12 (And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, equipping the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ,) |
| Rom 10:14 | "How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?" | 1 Pet 5:2 (shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not by compulsion but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly.) |
| 2 Tim 3:16-17 | "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." | Heb 12:5-6 (And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when rebuked by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and floggs every son whom he accepts.") |
| 1 John 4:1 | "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world." | Psalm 45:1 (My heart overflows with a good word; I rehearse my king my tongue is the pen of a ready scribe.) |
| Luke 12:42 | "And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time?" | Zech 11:7 (So I pastured the flock; the flock that was being slaughtered, especially the sheep of the flock. And I took two staffs, one I called Favor and the other I called Union, and I pastured the flock.) |
| John 1:45 | "Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”" | Song 4:5 (Your two breasts are like two fawns, siblings of a gazelle, which feed among the lilies.) |
| Jer 23:4 | "I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, declares the LORD." | Rev 7:17 (For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.) |
| Eph 4:14 | "so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes." | Song 5:7 (The watchmen found me as they went around about the city—they beat me, they wounded me; they took away my cloak from me—those keepers of the walls!) |
| 2 Tim 2:15 | "Do your best to present yourself to God as a worker who is not ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth." | Mal 2:7 (For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.) |
Ecclesiastes 12 verses
Ecclesiastes 12 11 Meaning
The words of the wise are like goads, and like firmly planted nails, are the words of the teachers, given from one Shepherd.
Ecclesiastes 12 11 Context
This verse serves as a concluding thought in the book of Ecclesiastes, which contemplates the entirety of human existence under the sun. Following a lengthy meditation on vanity and the transient nature of life, the author emphasizes the enduring value of wisdom that comes from God. The immediate preceding verses describe the decay and ultimate return to dust of the human body, highlighting the limitations of life. This verse then shifts focus to the lasting impact and authoritative nature of divinely-inspired instruction. It suggests that true wisdom, emanating from God as the singular Shepherd, provides guidance and stability, contrasting with the futility of human endeavors described earlier. The historical context involves ancient Israel where teachers and wise individuals were respected sources of knowledge and guidance, often drawing from God's revealed will through prophets and the Law.
Ecclesiastes 12 11 Word Analysis
Dabar (דָּבָר): Means "word," "thing," "utterance," "speech," "matter," or "affair." Here, it refers to the authoritative pronouncements or teachings of wise individuals.
Chakam (חָכָם): Translates to "wise," "skillful," or "intelligent." It denotes profound understanding and sound judgment, often divinely imparted.
Mōšěk (מֹשֶׁךְ): A participle from the verb "to drive" or "to impel," often associated with goads used by farmers to direct oxen or a commander leading soldiers. It signifies stimulation, urging, or incitement to action or thought.
Makkālôṯ (מַכְּלֹת): Plural of "makkōl" or "makkōlâh," meaning "goad" or "stile." It was an instrument for directing livestock, sharp and pointed, capable of piercing or rousing.
Kəḵēlet (כְּחֵלֶת): Means "like to a firm setting" or "like firmly fixed." It conveys stability, permanence, and immovability.
Məṯūqōṯ (מְתוּקֹת): A feminine plural participle from "māṯōq," meaning "sweetened" or "firmly fastened." It suggests security and reliability in fastening or securing.
Nāṯēnû (נְתֻנִים): Plural form of "nāṯÛn," meaning "given," "placed," or "delivered." It implies the origin and imparting of these words.
Mē’ēḏ (מֵאֵת): A preposition meaning "from."
Rō‘ēh (רֹעֶה): Means "shepherd" or "pastor." It denotes one who guides, feeds, protects, and cares for a flock. In this context, it refers to God as the ultimate source of wisdom and guidance.
’Ēḏ (אֶחָד): "One." Emphasizes the singularity and unity of God as the source.
Group Analysis: "words of the wise" (דִּבְרֵי חֲכָמִים - dibrei chakamim): This phrase encapsulates teachings that are not merely academic or superficial but possess deep, practical, and life-directing value.
Group Analysis: "like goads... like firmly planted nails" (כְּמֹשְׁכוֹת... וּכְמַתְּקוֹת - kəmoškōṯ... ūḵəmaṯ·tōqōṯ): These metaphors highlight the dual nature of true wisdom: it is both stimulating, pushing the listener to reflection and action (goads), and also anchoring, providing solid truth and a stable foundation (firmly planted nails).
Group Analysis: "given from one Shepherd" (נְתֻנִים מֵרֹעֶה אֶחָד - nəṯunîm mēro‘eh ’eḥāḏ): This collective attribute attributes the origin and authority of all true wisdom to a single, divine source—God. This unified origin assures consistency and ultimate truthfulness.
Ecclesiastes 12 11 Bonus Section
The metaphor of the "goads" can be further understood in light of Jesus' rebuke to Saul on the road to Damascus: "It is hard for you to kick against the goads" (Acts 26:14). This shows how God's wisdom, when resisted, can cause painful introspection, ultimately leading to submission. The "firmly planted nails" allude to the security found in God's covenant and promises, a stability that external circumstances cannot dislodge. The singular "Shepherd" clearly points to Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, who laid down His life for His sheep and now guides His flock with unerring wisdom and love. This verse thus functions as a summary, reminding the reader that true meaning and guidance in life are found not in the observations of mere men, but in the authoritative, life-directing, and stable Word given by God.
Ecclesiastes 12 11 Commentary
The final verse of Ecclesiastes underscores the enduring and transformative power of divine wisdom. The "words of the wise" are not mere observations; they are presented as active agents that prod the conscience and direct the path, much like the sharp points of goads used to guide stubborn livestock. Simultaneously, these teachings are as steadfast and unshakeable as nails securely driven into wood, providing a reliable foundation and unwavering truth. The ultimate source of this profound instruction is identified as "one Shepherd," pointing to God's singular role as the provider and guarantor of true wisdom. This divine origin assures believers that the teachings are reliable, authoritative, and meant to guide their lives through all seasons. The implication is that in a world of fleeting pursuits and transient experiences, wisdom from God is the anchor and the driving force for a life well-lived in His service.