Ecclesiastes 7:22 kjv
For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.
Ecclesiastes 7:22 nkjv
For many times, also, your own heart has known That even you have cursed others.
Ecclesiastes 7:22 niv
for you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others.
Ecclesiastes 7:22 esv
Your heart knows that many times you yourself have cursed others.
Ecclesiastes 7:22 nlt
For you know how often you yourself have cursed others.
Ecclesiastes 7 22 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 51:3-4 | For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me… | David's confession of deep self-awareness of sin. |
| Prov 28:13 | He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. | Acknowledging sin is path to mercy. |
| Isa 64:6 | We are all like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. | Universal human unrighteousness. |
| Matt 7:1-5 | Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge… first cast out the beam out of thine own eye. | Warns against hypocritical judgment, using 'beam and speck' metaphor. |
| Matt 12:36 | I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they utter. | Accountability for every word, including curses. |
| Luke 6:37 | Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven. | Direct command to avoid judging others. |
| John 8:7-9 | Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone… | Convicts accusers, highlighting their own sin. |
| Rom 2:1 | Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself… | Condemnation in judging another when guilty of same. |
| Rom 3:9-10 | What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin… | Universal reign of sin. |
| Rom 3:23 | For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. | The universal reality of human sinfulness. |
| Rom 14:10 | Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? | Questions the basis for judging fellow believers. |
| 1 Cor 4:5 | Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes… | Warning against premature judgment. |
| Gal 6:1 | Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. Watch yourselves, lest you too be tempted. | Call for gentleness in restoration, awareness of one's own weakness. |
| Eph 4:31-32 | Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another… | Direct command against bitter and slanderous words. |
| Col 3:8 | But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, obscene talk from your mouth. | Calls to renounce ungodly speech. |
| James 1:26 | If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. | The importance of controlling the tongue. |
| James 3:8-10 | But no human being can tame the tongue… From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. | Acknowledges the untamable and dual nature of the tongue. |
| James 4:11 | Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. | Direct prohibition against speaking evil. |
| 1 John 1:8 | If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. | Acknowledging sin is fundamental to truth. |
| Prov 10:18 | The one who conceals hatred with lying lips and who utters slander is a fool. | Warning against deceptive and slanderous words. |
| Prov 26:27 | Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling. | The principle of reaping what one sows, relevant to cursing. |
| Matt 5:44 | But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. | A higher standard of response than cursing, promoting love. |
Ecclesiastes 7 verses
Ecclesiastes 7 22 Meaning
Ecclesiastes 7:22 offers a profound reflection on human hypocrisy and the universal nature of sin. The verse explains why one should not be overly concerned or upset when others speak ill of them, specifically addressing the wisdom of ignoring negative words, even from a servant (as suggested in the preceding verse, Ecc 7:21). The reason given is intensely personal: "for oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others." It asserts that individuals often forget or suppress the inconvenient truth that they themselves have, on many occasions, committed the very same fault of speaking ill of or cursing others. This forces a moment of humbling self-realization, prompting self-reflection rather than indignation towards others.
Ecclesiastes 7 22 Context
Ecclesiastes 7:22 appears within a section (Ecc 7:15-22) where the Preacher, Qoheleth, explores the paradoxes of life "under the sun," particularly the complexities of righteousness and wickedness. Following observations about the elusive nature of ultimate human wisdom and the fact that "there is no man righteous upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not" (Ecc 7:20), Qoheleth advises caution. Specifically, Ecc 7:21 suggests avoiding obsessive concern over every critical word spoken, even from one's own servant, implying a detached perspective. Verse 22 provides the direct reason for this detachment: personal experience reveals the universal human tendency to err, especially in speech. The historical and cultural context reflects an Ancient Near Eastern understanding of wisdom as practical knowledge for life, often conveyed through proverbs and reflective narratives. The Preacher's discourse consistently returns to the limitations of human endeavor and the pervasiveness of folly and sin, setting the stage for the book's concluding counsel to fear God and keep His commandments.
Ecclesiastes 7 22 Word analysis
- for oftentimes / כִּי גַם־פְּעָמִים (kī ḡam-pə‘āmîm): "For even/also many times." The word 'kī' (for) introduces the reason for the advice given in verse 21. 'Gam' (even/also) intensifies 'pə‘āmîm' (times, occasions, often), emphasizing the frequent recurrence of this human tendency. This phrase highlights that the act of "cursing others" is not a rare occurrence but a common human failing.
- thine own heart / לִבֶּךָ (libbekā): "Your heart." In Hebrew thought, the 'lev' (heart) is not merely the seat of emotions but the core of one's being – encompassing intellect, will, conscience, and moral perception. It implies an internal, intuitive, and undeniable knowledge. It's not external accusation but internal conviction that this verse points to.
- knoweth / יָדַעְתָּ (yāda‘tā): "You have known" or "you know experientially." This verb denotes a deep, intimate, personal knowledge, gained through experience and self-awareness. It's not a superficial understanding but a truth grasped from one's own actions and inner reckoning. This makes the self-implication undeniable.
- that thou thyself likewise / גַּם אַתָּה גַּם־ (gam ’attâ ḡam): "Even you, even." The double use of 'gam' (even/also) emphatically draws a direct parallel and strong equivalence between the speaker and others. It drives home the point of shared human fallibility, creating a potent mirror image: what you condemn in others, you have also done. 'Attah' is the emphatic "you."
- hast cursed / עִלַּלְתָּ (‘ilaltā): "You have dealt basely/ill with," "you have reviled," "you have acted outrageously/cursed." The verb ‘alal can encompass not just verbal cursing but also treating someone ill, committing wrongful acts against them, or acting outrageously. In this context, it pertains to injurious speech, maligning others, or speaking evil against them, whether directly or indirectly, in thought or deed.
- others / אֲחֵרִים (’ăḥērîm): "Others" or "other people." This makes the scope universal, referring to anyone else the speaker might have treated similarly. It emphasizes that the self-recrimination extends beyond any single instance or individual.
- "thine own heart knoweth": This phrase highlights profound internal awareness. The truth is not learned from external sources or accusations, but arises from one's inner being and conscience. It implies that before anyone else accuses you, you already have an undeniable knowledge of your own past failings.
- "thou thyself likewise hast cursed others": This powerfully confronts self-righteousness. By connecting "you yourself" to the action of "cursing others," it underscores the common human struggle with judgmental attitudes and malicious speech, dissolving any moral high ground. The "likewise" creates an inescapable parallel, serving as a reminder that we often become what we condemn.
Ecclesiastes 7 22 Bonus section
The verse functions as a powerful spiritual mirror, inviting sincere introspection rather than external blame. It directly counters the natural human inclination to see oneself as better than others, or to hold others to a standard that one routinely fails to meet. This theme resonates strongly with New Testament teachings on judgmentalism, especially Jesus' admonition in Matthew 7:1-5, where He highlights the hypocrisy of focusing on the "speck" in another's eye while ignoring the "beam" in one's own. The Preacher's point emphasizes practical wisdom for interpersonal relations, advising that the most effective way to deal with perceived offenses is often to forgive, understanding that the capacity for similar wrongdoing resides within oneself. It indirectly points to the need for divine grace, as human righteousness is consistently found wanting.
Ecclesiastes 7 22 Commentary
Ecclesiastes 7:22 serves as a sharp and concise reminder of human fallibility and the pervasive nature of sin, particularly concerning critical and negative speech. The Preacher's wisdom, born from keen observation and personal introspection, points out a universal truth: we often stand ready to take offense or pass judgment on others' words and actions, yet conveniently forget or suppress the countless times our own words have been equally harsh, critical, or even malicious. The verse fosters humility by compelling the reader to look inward before reacting outwardly. It disarms self-righteousness by revealing a shared experience of human imperfection. The awareness that "thine own heart knoweth" suggests a deep, undeniable, and often suppressed inner conviction of one's own sinfulness, making indignation towards others seem hypocritical. This understanding paves the way for mercy, patience, and a non-retaliatory spirit, urging believers to extend to others the grace they themselves have received and need. It implicitly warns against the futility of holding onto anger when one is equally guilty, promoting a spirit of self-reflection and compassion over quick judgment and condemnation.