Ecclesiastes 7 26

Ecclesiastes 7:26 kjv

And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.

Ecclesiastes 7:26 nkjv

And I find more bitter than death The woman whose heart is snares and nets, Whose hands are fetters. He who pleases God shall escape from her, But the sinner shall be trapped by her.

Ecclesiastes 7:26 niv

I find more bitter than death the woman who is a snare, whose heart is a trap and whose hands are chains. The man who pleases God will escape her, but the sinner she will ensnare.

Ecclesiastes 7:26 esv

And I find something more bitter than death: the woman whose heart is snares and nets, and whose hands are fetters. He who pleases God escapes her, but the sinner is taken by her.

Ecclesiastes 7:26 nlt

I discovered that a seductive woman is a trap more bitter than death. Her passion is a snare, and her soft hands are chains. Those who are pleasing to God will escape her, but sinners will be caught in her snare.

Ecclesiastes 7 verses

Ecclesiastes 7 26 Meaning

This verse reflects the Preacher's grim conclusion drawn from his search for wisdom, asserting that a specific kind of woman—one whose core intentions and actions are deceptive traps leading to bondage—is far more devastating than death itself. It warns that only those who live in favor with God will be protected from her insidious influence and escape her grasp, while those who habitually sin will inevitably be ensnared by her.

Ecclesiastes 7 26 Context

Ecclesiastes 7:26 is part of Qoheleth’s broader philosophical inquiry into the meaning of life, wisdom, and folly. Specifically, it follows his frustrated conclusion about the scarcity of true wisdom and uprightness among humankind, particularly lamenting the difficulty of finding genuinely upright individuals (7:23-25, 28). This verse can be understood as Qoheleth identifying a significant and profound pitfall he discovered in his search: the treacherous influence of a certain kind of "woman." This "woman" is typically interpreted not as a universal indictment of all women, but as a representation of folly, sexual immorality, or worldly temptation in its most alluring and destructive form. Within the wisdom tradition, the seductress often symbolizes a dangerous path that ensnares the unwise, contrasting with Lady Wisdom (Prov 9).

Ecclesiastes 7 26 Word analysis

• And I find (מָצָאתִי - matsa'ti): This Hebrew perfect verb denotes a personal discovery or settled conclusion Qoheleth has reached through his extensive observation and experience. It is a declaration of his acquired knowledge.
• more bitter than death (מַר מִמָּוֶת - mar mimavet): "Bitter" signifies extreme distress, anguish, or severe misfortune. Comparing it to "death" elevates the danger to the most severe human experience, implying that entanglement with such a figure brings about a spiritual, moral, or existential ruin more dreadful than mere physical cessation. Death ends life; this "bitterness" contaminates life.
• the woman (הָאִשָּׁה - ha'ishshah): The definite article "the" indicates a specific type or category of woman, rather than womanhood in general. In the wisdom tradition, this often refers to the seductress, harlot, or adulteress, frequently personifying Folly (e.g., in Proverbs). It embodies spiritual danger and temptation.
• whose heart (אֲשֶׁר לִבָּהּ - asher libbah): The "heart" in Hebrew thought signifies the core of a person’s being—their intellect, will, intentions, and emotions. Her internal disposition is fundamentally deceptive and malicious.
• is snares (מַקֹּשִׁים - maqōshim): This term refers to bird or animal traps, specifically designed to catch by trickery. It implies hidden, cunningly laid dangers that are difficult to perceive until one is already entangled.
• and nets (וַחֲרָמִים - waḥărāmim): Related to hunting nets or fishing nets. This word reinforces the imagery of inescapable entrapment. The combination with "snares" emphasizes the comprehensive and inescapable nature of her entanglements.
• and her hands (וִידֶיהָ - wiydeha): "Hands" represent actions, deeds, or the instruments she uses to exert her influence. Her conduct is an extension of her deceptive heart.
• as fetters (אֲסִרִים - 'asirim): Means bonds, chains, or restraints for prisoners. This illustrates the result of her actions: she does not just entrap, but holds one captive, leading to loss of freedom, slavery to sin, and severe constraint.
• whoever pleases God (טוֹב לִפְנֵי הָאֱלֹהִים - ṭōḇ lifney ha'elohim): Literally "good before God." This phrase denotes someone who has found favor with God, who lives righteously, and whose ways are acceptable in God's sight. Such an individual receives divine guidance and protection.
• shall escape from her (יִמָּלֵט מִמֶּנָּה - yimmālēṭ mimmennāh): To be delivered, flee, or slip away. It implies successful evasion or rescue, often through divine aid, from imminent danger.
• but the sinner (וְחוֹטֵא - wᵉḥôṭe'): One who deviates from the righteous path, transgresses God's law, or acts wickedly. The sinner lacks divine favor and is prone to temptation.
• shall be caught by her (יִלָּכֵד בָּהּ - yillākēd bah): A passive verb indicating inevitable capture or being trapped. Without God's favor and guidance, the sinner succumbs completely to the allure and destructive power of this "woman."

• Words-group analysis:
  • More bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets: This striking comparison immediately sets the stage for the extreme danger presented. The emphasis is on the internal corruption ("heart") which makes her presence fundamentally deceitful and destructive, more so than the finality of physical death. Her nature is built to deceive and trap.
  • and her hands as fetters: The phrase extends the danger from her internal malice to her active involvement. Her every action binds, restricts, and enslaves those who fall prey to her, leading to a state of moral or spiritual imprisonment.
  • whoever pleases God shall escape from her, but the sinner shall be caught by her: This establishes a stark, dual outcome dependent entirely on one's relationship with God. Divine favor provides protection, discernment, and a way out, while a life of sin leads to spiritual blindness, vulnerability, and certain capture by such destructive forces. It highlights God's protective sovereignty over the righteous.

Ecclesiastes 7 26 Bonus section

Qoheleth's immediate follow-up in Ecclesiastes 7:28 further illuminates his jaded perspective, where he states, "one upright man among a thousand, but not one upright woman among them all." While this passage might initially seem misogynistic, scholars largely interpret it within the context of his "experiment" (his extensive search for meaning and true wisdom among people). In this broader pessimistic conclusion, the "upright man" and "upright woman" may refer to ideal wisdom and integrity, which Qoheleth found to be almost nonexistent in his observation of humanity, suggesting deep-seated human folly. Thus, the specific "woman" of verse 26 serves as a powerful example of the profound lack of moral rectitude Qoheleth observed, highlighting that she (and all spiritual traps) preys upon human weaknesses which only God's grace can fortify. This echoes the broader biblical theme that the allure of the world and sin's enticements lead to bondage, from which only God, through faith and righteousness, provides liberation. The 'bitter than death' motif also suggests that moral and spiritual decay, which isolates one from God, is a worse fate than the physical end of life.

Ecclesiastes 7 26 Commentary

Ecclesiastes 7:26 stands as a stark warning, encapsulating Qoheleth’s disillusionment regarding the pervasive nature of moral depravity and dangerous temptations. The "woman" here is not an indictment of all women, but rather a potent symbol in wisdom literature for seduction, spiritual error, or folly, personifying insidious danger. Her core intent ("heart is snares and nets") is deceptive, leading to a state of being trapped, while her actions ("hands as fetters") effectively bind and enslave her victims, far surpassing the pain or finality of physical death in its capacity for lasting torment. The verse reveals a fundamental spiritual truth: divine favor is the indispensable safeguard against such profound entanglements. Those living in right standing with God possess the discernment and protection to navigate and escape these traps. Conversely, individuals who habitually walk in sin are inherently vulnerable and, by their own choosing, expose themselves to capture and ruin. This serves as a timeless caution, stressing that genuine spiritual integrity and reliance on God are crucial for navigating life's most perilous moral and spiritual pitfalls.