Ecclesiastes 7 7

Ecclesiastes 7:7 kjv

Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.

Ecclesiastes 7:7 nkjv

Surely oppression destroys a wise man's reason, And a bribe debases the heart.

Ecclesiastes 7:7 niv

Extortion turns a wise person into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart.

Ecclesiastes 7:7 esv

Surely oppression drives the wise into madness, and a bribe corrupts the heart.

Ecclesiastes 7:7 nlt

Extortion turns wise people into fools,
and bribes corrupt the heart.

Ecclesiastes 7 verses

Ecclesiastes 7 7 Meaning

Ecclesiastes 7:7 declares that two specific forms of corruption undermine integrity: oppression and illicit gain. Oppression, or injustice inflicted upon others, is so debilitating that it can drive even a wise individual to act foolishly, losing their sound judgment and principles. Simultaneously, a bribe, deceptively presented as a gift, has the potent ability to corrupt the very core of a person's being—their intellect, will, and moral compass—leading them to pervert justice and truth. The verse serves as a sober observation on the pervasive moral hazards within the fallen world, showing how external forces (oppression) and internal compromise (receiving bribes) erode human character and wisdom.

Ecclesiastes 7 7 Context

Ecclesiastes 7:7 is embedded within a section where the Preacher reflects on the complexities and paradoxes of wisdom and folly, righteousness and wickedness, "under the sun." Chapters 7 and 8 explore various aspects of life's struggles, the limits of human wisdom, and the pervasive presence of injustice and suffering in the world. Verse 7 specifically illustrates a form of this observed injustice. It follows warnings about haste and impatience (v. 8), and reflections on the challenges of achieving perfect wisdom or righteousness (v. 20). The Preacher acknowledges that in this fallen world, even the seemingly strong foundations of wisdom and integrity can be shaken or corrupted by external pressures (oppression) and moral compromise (bribes). This verse thus grounds Koheleth's philosophical musings in very practical and observable moral failings of humanity.

Ecclesiastes 7 7 Word analysis

• Surely (כִּֽי־, kî-): This particle functions here as an emphatic affirmation, often translated as "for," "surely," or "indeed." It introduces a truth derived from observation, giving weight to the statement that follows. It underscores the certainty of the Preacher's assertion, presenting it as an undeniable reality within his "under the sun" observations.

• Oppression (עֹשֶׁק, 'osheq): Derived from a root meaning to oppress, exploit, or defraud. It signifies extorted gain, wrongful violence, or unjust actions committed by those in power against the vulnerable. It's not merely being oppressed but the active act of oppression itself, leading to deep societal decay. It speaks to the burden and perversion of justice experienced by the downtrodden.

• Maketh (יְהַלֵּל, yahalēl): From the verb halal, which primarily means "to praise" but also has the secondary meaning "to make foolish," "to act madly," or "to rave." In this context, it describes the effect of oppression: it can cause one to become senseless, lose composure, or act erratically. It signifies a disorientation or loss of rational judgment, potentially driving the wise to despair, anger, or even uncharacteristic, imprudent actions.

• A wise man (חָכָם, chakām): Refers to an individual possessing wisdom, sound judgment, understanding, and often moral uprightness, a key figure in the wisdom literature. The Preacher here emphasizes the surprising and tragic impact of oppression on someone presumed to be immune to folly due to their inherent wisdom.

• Mad (The effect of yahalēl): Though some translations render it "foolish," "mad" captures the sense of irrationality, disequilibrium, or derangement that profound injustice can induce. It suggests a loss of one's rational footing and emotional balance, leading to imprudent behavior, losing one's grip on wisdom and principles.

• And (וְ, wĕ): A simple conjunction connecting the two clauses, introducing a second, distinct yet related cause of moral degradation. It signifies an additive effect, presenting another mechanism by which human character is compromised.

• A gift (מַתָּנָה, mattanah): While literally meaning "a gift" or "present," in the context of discussions about justice and the "heart's" integrity, this word very often carries the strong implication of a "bribe" or "illicit payment" given to influence judgment. Its use here immediately signals a negative connotation, especially concerning those in positions of power or influence. The Hebrew Scripture frequently condemns the giving and receiving of such gifts as a means to corrupt justice.

• Destroyeth (יְאַבֵּד, yĕ'abēd): From the verb 'abad, meaning "to perish," "to destroy," "to corrupt," "to ruin." This term conveys a sense of utter ruination and moral decay. It’s not merely blinding or misleading but a fundamental breaking down or corrupting of the internal character.

• The heart (לֵב, lēḇ): In biblical thought, "heart" is the center of one's inner being—encompassing intellect, will, emotions, conscience, and moral decision-making. To "destroy the heart" means to corrupt one's moral compass, to ruin their judgment, to distort their understanding of right and wrong, and to cause them to act contrary to righteousness.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad: This phrase reveals the insidious power of injustice. Persistent oppression and the resulting frustration and despair can overwhelm even the most rational and morally grounded individual. The "wise man" who ought to exercise sound judgment is rendered incapable or compelled to unwise actions because of the sustained and perverse pressure of injustice. It highlights how even the wise can falter under systemic evil or severe duress, sometimes reacting in ways that appear foolish, driven by exasperation rather than discernment.

• And a gift destroyeth the heart: This phrase describes a more direct and often more subtle form of corruption. The "gift" (bribe) acts internally. While oppression exerts external pressure, a bribe works from within, compromising one's core being—the heart. It speaks to the insidious nature of covetousness and personal gain, which directly assault the conscience and intellectual integrity, leading to a deliberate perversion of justice and truth. This corruption is profound, leading to a fundamental decay of character.

Ecclesiastes 7 7 Bonus section

The Hebrew word for "gift," mattanah, being understood as a bribe in this context highlights the deep biblical caution against money or gain corrupting justice. This same word can refer to a legitimate, voluntary gift (as in Num 18:6). However, in contexts involving authority, law, and fairness, biblical authors often use or imply shochad (bribe) or twist mattanah into an illicit sense, demonstrating that even a seemingly benevolent act can be used to pervert righteousness. This duality of mattanah serves as a powerful reminder of how easily good things can be twisted for evil, mirroring the "vanity" (hevel) theme in Ecclesiastes where good intentions or legitimate items can lead to corruption or meaningless outcomes when disconnected from divine order. This verse also implicitly highlights God's character as One who "shows no partiality and takes no bribe" (Deut 10:17), setting a divine standard that stands in stark contrast to human failings.

Ecclesiastes 7 7 Commentary

Ecclesiastes 7:7 profoundly addresses two key destroyers of human integrity and sound judgment: external injustice and internal corruption. The Preacher, observing life "under the sun," notes how continuous oppression or extortion ('osheq') does not just physically burden, but morally and psychologically warps. It can disorient a "wise man" (chakām), driving him to irrationality or compromising actions he would normally avoid. This "madness" is a consequence of despair or the perceived impossibility of rectifying wrongs through wisdom alone.

Conversely, the verse presents the "gift" (mattanah), unmistakably a bribe in this context, as a corrosive force directly attacking the "heart" (lev). The bribe's danger lies in its power to ruin inner integrity, corrupting one's conscience and capacity for truth and righteousness. Unlike external oppression that might provoke an outward reaction, the bribe corrupts the internal arbiter of justice. This verse provides a sharp warning against both succumbing to the effects of injustice and participating in its perversion. It points to the fragile nature of human righteousness in a fallen world, underscoring that without divine wisdom and moral grounding, even the seemingly virtuous are susceptible to moral decay. The lesson is that wisdom cannot merely exist passively; it must be diligently preserved against both the attacks of injustice and the lure of unrighteous gain.

Examples:

• Oppression making a wise man foolish: Consider one driven to theft or violence out of extreme destitution and prolonged injustice, acts completely contrary to a formerly wise life.
• A bribe destroying the heart: A judge or official who knows the truth, but takes a secret payment to rule unjustly, irrevocably damaging their integrity and their ability to render fair judgment in the future.