Ecclesiastes 4:13 kjv
Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
Ecclesiastes 4:13 nkjv
Better a poor and wise youth Than an old and foolish king who will be admonished no more.
Ecclesiastes 4:13 niv
Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to heed a warning.
Ecclesiastes 4:13 esv
Better was a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who no longer knew how to take advice.
Ecclesiastes 4:13 nlt
It is better to be a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king who refuses all advice.
Ecclesiastes 4 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 16:16 | How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be preferred... | Wisdom over wealth |
| Prov 9:10 | The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom... | Foundation of true wisdom |
| Prov 1:7 | The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom... | Wisdom vs. folly's start |
| Job 12:12 | Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days. | Age does not guarantee wisdom (counterpoint) |
| Dan 2:20-21 | "Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom... He changes times and seasons; he removes kings..." | God gives wisdom & appoints leaders |
| Isa 55:8-9 | "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways..." | God's wisdom transcends human |
| 1 Cor 1:27-29 | But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak... | God uses the humble to confound the strong |
| Prov 12:15 | The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. | Wise listens, fool rejects advice |
| Prov 26:12 | Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool... | Self-proclaimed wisdom is dangerous |
| Prov 29:9 | If a wise man has a controversy with a fool, the fool rages... | Foolishness causes conflict and rejection |
| Prov 28:26 | Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered. | Reliance on self is foolish |
| Prov 13:10 | By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom. | Counsel leads to wisdom, pride to strife |
| Prov 15:32 | Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gets understanding. | Consequences of ignoring counsel |
| Isa 5:21 | Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight! | Warning against self-importance |
| Rom 12:16 | Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly... | Humility and avoiding pride |
| Jas 4:6 | God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. | God's stance on humility vs. pride |
| Prov 11:14 | Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in abundance of counselors there is safety. | Importance of good counsel for leadership |
| 1 Kgs 12:6-15 | Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders and listened to the young men... | King's folly in rejecting wise counsel |
| Job 32:6-9 | Elihu speaks: "It is not the old who are wise, nor the aged who understand justice." | Youth can have wisdom over age |
| 1 Tim 4:12 | Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example... | Youth can lead in wisdom and example |
| Prov 1:24-33 | Because I have called and you refused to listen... | Consequences of rejecting wisdom |
| Ps 147:6 | The LORD lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground. | God elevates the humble |
Ecclesiastes 4 verses
Ecclesiastes 4 13 Meaning
Ecclesiastes 4:13 declares that possessing wisdom and a teachable spirit, even in one who is young and of humble status, is superior to holding positions of great power and old age if those are coupled with foolishness and an unwillingness to accept guidance. It underscores the profound value of spiritual and intellectual qualities over worldly prestige and authority.
Ecclesiastes 4 13 Context
Ecclesiastes chapter 4 describes Qoheleth’s observations on various aspects of human experience "under the sun," highlighting their limitations, injustices, and fleeting nature. He reflects on the oppression experienced by people (vv. 1-3), the futility of toil driven by envy (vv. 4-6), the isolation of working alone (vv. 7-8), and the strength found in companionship (vv. 9-12). Verse 13 transitions from these personal and societal observations to a specific social proverb about leadership and the fickle nature of power, directly contrasting the virtues of character with the dangers of entrenched, unyielding authority. It anticipates a scenario where wisdom, regardless of status or age, proves to be the ultimate asset.
Ecclesiastes 4 13 Word analysis
- Better (Hebrew: ṭōv - טוֹב): This term signifies superior or more excellent. It is a recurring evaluative term throughout Ecclesiastes, often used by Qoheleth to compare different states or outcomes. Here, it establishes a clear preference for a certain quality over another, rather than a moral absolute.
- is a poor (Hebrew: 'ānî - עָנִי): Implies humility, lack of wealth or power, lowly status. In the Bible, poverty is often connected with dependency on God or a capacity for teachability. It contrasts sharply with the king's opulence.
- and wise (Hebrew: ḥāḵām - חָכָם): Signifies having insight, discernment, understanding, and practical skill. Biblical wisdom involves skill in living righteously, making good decisions, and understanding God’s ways. This attribute is presented as invaluable, irrespective of worldly status.
- youth (Hebrew: yeled - יֶלֶד): Denotes a young person, lacking experience, maturity, or high status due to age. This choice of word highlights that wisdom is not automatically tied to age. It serves to amplify the contrast with the "old king."
- than an old (Hebrew: mizzeqēn - מִזָּקֵן): Literally, "from an old man" or "more than an old man." "Old" implies advanced age, which conventionally carries an expectation of wisdom and experience (e.g., Job 12:12). However, this verse deliberately challenges that assumption by adding "foolish."
- and foolish (Hebrew: kesîl - כְּסִיל): This word describes a morally and intellectually deficient person, one who resists instruction, lacks discernment, and is self-reliant in their folly (Prov 1:7). This kind of foolishness is a moral choice rather than a lack of intelligence.
- king (Hebrew: melek - מֶלֶךְ): Represents the highest earthly power, authority, and status. The comparison is between someone at the very bottom of the social hierarchy (poor youth) and someone at the very top (king).
- who will no longer (Hebrew: 'ăšer lō' yāda' ‘ôḏ - אֲשֶׁר לֹא יָדַע עוֹד): This phrase indicates a persistent, knowing refusal. "No longer knows" (or "no longer understands/acknowledges") suggests an established pattern of rejection.
- take advice (Hebrew: hizhāhēr - לְהִזָּהֵר): To be warned, admonished, or accept instruction/counsel. It implies a stubborn unwillingness to learn, change, or receive guidance, especially crucial for a leader whose decisions affect many.
Words-group Analysis
- "a poor and wise youth": This phrase paints a picture of inherent value. The poverty emphasizes that external circumstances are irrelevant; the youthfulness highlights that age doesn't define wisdom. What truly matters are the internal qualities of wisdom and discernment. This challenges the worldly view that status and experience are supreme.
- "an old and foolish king": This group epitomizes the corruption of power and the emptiness of outward appearances without internal substance. The age, which should bring wisdom, combined with foolishness, suggests a long-term pattern of poor judgment and obstinacy. The kingship, representing ultimate authority, is rendered impotent by the lack of wisdom and the closed mind.
- "who will no longer take advice": This final clause provides the critical reason for the king's folly and inevitable decline. It's not just that he is foolish, but that he refuses to learn or be corrected. This closed-mindedness makes his condition irredeemable and contrasts sharply with the humble, teachable spirit implied by the "wise youth." This phrase is key to understanding the king's ultimate doom, whether from a literal political overthrow (as sometimes implied in rabbinic commentary on this verse) or simply from spiritual emptiness and lack of efficacy.
Ecclesiastes 4 13 Bonus section
- This verse is an example of a "better...than" proverb, a common literary device in biblical wisdom literature used to convey preferred states or characteristics.
- The scenario described in the verse could imply a shift in political power or popularity, where a more astute, though previously marginalized, individual rises, or it could simply be a statement on intrinsic worth regardless of social dynamics.
- While a king typically embodies the height of worldly achievement and wisdom in other texts (e.g., King Solomon), Qoheleth, through this verse, cautions against the automatic association of royal status with wisdom, implying that such a position can ironically breed arrogance and foolishness due to lack of accountability and feedback.
Ecclesiastes 4 13 Commentary
Ecclesiastes 4:13 serves as a profound proverb that subverts conventional wisdom regarding power, age, and status. It presents a stark contrast, asserting that wisdom and a willingness to learn, even in someone otherwise disadvantaged, are immeasurably superior to high position, longevity, and authority if these are marred by foolishness and stubbornness. The king's failure to accept counsel marks his foolishness as irremediable, signifying not just a lack of intelligence but a deliberate spiritual obstinacy. This highlights a core biblical truth: true leadership and well-being are founded on discerning wisdom and a humble spirit that remains open to instruction, ultimately aligning with God's truth. It warns that no amount of worldly achievement or power can compensate for a hardened heart and a closed mind.