Ecclesiastes 12 11

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 verses

Ecclesiastes 12 11 Meaning

Ecclesiastes 12:11 conveys the enduring nature and divine origin of true wisdom. The "words of the wise" are depicted as both stimulating ("goads") and anchoring ("nails firmly fixed"). They provoke action, provide direction, and offer stable, unshakeable truths. The ultimate source of these authoritative "collected sayings" is "one Shepherd," affirming their divine inspiration and unified origin. This verse acts as an imprimatur, endorsing the preceding wisdom literature, including Ecclesiastes, as divinely sanctioned and indispensable for human life.

Ecclesiastes 12 11 Context

Ecclesiastes 12 concludes the Koheleth's extensive philosophical journey to find meaning "under the sun." After detailing the inevitable decline of old age and the certainty of death (v. 1-8), the author reasserts the value of true wisdom. Verse 11 specifically serves as a powerful declaration validating the counsel he has provided throughout the book. It precedes the ultimate summation and call to "fear God and keep his commandments" (v. 13-14), providing a foundational authority for these final admonitions. Historically, Koheleth's wisdom aligns with a broader Near Eastern tradition of sapiential literature but distinguishes itself by firmly rooting its truth in a divine source, contrasting with purely humanistic philosophical endeavors.

Ecclesiastes 12 11 Word analysis

• The words of the wise:
  • Hebrew: דִּבְרֵי חֲכָמִים (divrei chakamim). Divrei (construct form of davar) means "words, matters, sayings." Chakamim means "wise people, sages."
  • Significance: Refers to the collective body of revealed wisdom, not just the philosophical musings of intelligent individuals but divinely inspired insights and instructions.
• are like goads:
  • Hebrew: כַּדָּרְבֹנוֹת (kad-darbonot). Ka- is "like/as." Darbonot (plural of darbon) means "goads," a sharp-pointed stick used to prod animals (especially oxen) to move, stay on track, or change direction.
  • Significance: Goads illustrate wisdom's active function. It isn't passive information but a force that stimulates, provokes, challenges, corrects, and motivates action. It often makes one uncomfortable, but for necessary progress.
• and like nails firmly fixed:
  • Hebrew: וּכְמַשְׂמְרוֹת נְטוּעִים (u-khemamrot netu'im). U- (and). Khemamrot (plural of masmer) means "nails," fasteners. Netu'im means "planted, fixed, deeply set."
  • Significance: Nails firmly fixed denote the static yet foundational nature of wisdom. It offers stability, certainty, security, and an unshakeable foundation for belief and life. It's reliable, trustworthy, and enduring truth upon which life can be built.
• are the collected sayings:
  • Hebrew: בַּעֲלֵי אֲסֻפּוֹת (ba'alei asupot). Ba'alei means "masters, possessors of." Asupot (plural of asuphah) means "collections, gatherings, assemblies." Scholarly debate exists whether this refers to the masters who compile collections (the wise authors) or to the collected sayings themselves. Given the context with "words" and "given," it most likely refers to the aggregated body of wisdom, implying its comprehensive and authoritative nature.
  • Significance: Emphasizes the cumulative and consolidated nature of wisdom literature. It represents an authoritative canon or compilation of profound truths rather than disparate, isolated ideas.
• they are given by one Shepherd:
  • Hebrew: נִתְּנוּ מֵרֹעֶה אֶחָד (nitnu mi-ro'eh echad). Nittanu is "they are given." Mi- is "from." Ro'eh is "shepherd." Echad is "one."
  • Significance: This is the critical affirmation of divine authorship. The "one Shepherd" is universally understood to be God Himself, the ultimate source of all true wisdom. It unifies all genuinely wise teachings, implying coherence and divine inspiration, distinct from varied human philosophies. This declares that divine wisdom is coherent and derived from a singular, ultimate authority.

Ecclesiastes 12 11 Bonus section

The assertion of "one Shepherd" not only declares God as the source of wisdom but also underscores the unity of His revelation. This counters any tendency to see wisdom literature (like Ecclesiastes) as merely human reflection, detached from other parts of the Old Testament law or prophecy. It ties all sacred teachings together under a singular divine mind. The double imagery of goads and nails captures the paradox of truth: it can be piercingly challenging (goad) and yet provide absolute rest and certainty (nail). This suggests wisdom is dynamic for action, yet steadfast for conviction.

Ecclesiastes 12 11 Commentary

Ecclesiastes 12:11 provides a crucial meta-commentary on the nature and source of biblical wisdom. It assures the reader that the penetrating, often unsettling truths encountered (the "goads") are not arbitrary human opinions. Instead, they serve to direct and activate the soul, much like a goad steers an ox. Concurrently, these words offer deep, immovable security ("nails firmly fixed"), providing essential anchors in a world full of "vanity." This wisdom, the very foundation of understanding, is ultimately not fragmented human knowledge, but originates from a unified, singular, divine source—the "one Shepherd," God. This statement establishes the authority and coherence of all true biblical wisdom, urging acceptance of its transformative and foundational power. For example, recognizing a moral boundary (a goad) may feel uncomfortable but ultimately directs one toward God's path, which in turn offers unwavering peace (a firmly fixed nail).