Ecclesiastes 7:9 kjv
Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
Ecclesiastes 7:9 nkjv
Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, For anger rests in the bosom of fools.
Ecclesiastes 7:9 niv
Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.
Ecclesiastes 7:9 esv
Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools.
Ecclesiastes 7:9 nlt
Control your temper,
for anger labels you a fool.
Ecclesiastes 7 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 14:17 | A quick-tempered man acts foolishly... | Quick temper is folly |
| Prov 14:29 | Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty spirit exalts folly. | Wisdom is linked to patience in anger |
| Prov 15:1 | A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. | Gentle words prevent anger |
| Prov 15:18 | A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention. | Patience calms conflict |
| Prov 16:32 | Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty... | Self-control is greater than physical might |
| Prov 19:11 | Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. | Discernment fosters patience |
| Prov 25:28 | A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. | Lack of self-control is destructive |
| Prov 29:11 | A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back. | Wise restrain spirit, fools release anger |
| Jas 1:19-20 | ...let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. | Anger hinders God's righteousness |
| Eph 4:26-27 | Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. | Anger must be controlled to avoid sin |
| Col 3:8 | But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice... | Call to remove anger and evil |
| Psa 37:8 | Refrain from anger and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. | Warns against the evil of anger |
| Matt 5:22 | But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment... | Warning against internal anger (Jesus' teaching) |
| Tit 1:7 | ...not arrogant or quick-tempered... | Leader must not be quick-tempered |
| 2 Tim 2:24 | And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil. | Servants of God are patient, not quarrelsome |
| Gal 5:22-23 | But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control... | Spirit's fruit includes patience and self-control |
| 1 Pet 2:23 | When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten... | Christ's example of not retaliating in anger |
| Jonah 4:9 | But God said to Jonah, “Do you do well to be angry for the plant?” | God challenges unjustified anger |
| Psa 103:8 | The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. | God's character as slow to anger |
| Exod 34:6 | The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger... | God reveals Himself as slow to anger |
| Num 14:18 | ‘The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression...’ | God's attribute of slowness to anger |
Ecclesiastes 7 verses
Ecclesiastes 7 9 Meaning
Ecclesiastes 7:9 admonishes against allowing one's spirit to be easily provoked to anger. It asserts that swift, uncontrolled anger is a characteristic deeply rooted in the heart of fools, implying that such a disposition indicates a lack of wisdom and leads to detrimental outcomes. The verse highlights patience and self-control as virtues contrasting with the impulsive nature of a fool.
Ecclesiastes 7 9 Context
Ecclesiastes 7:9 falls within a section where Qohelet, the Preacher, compares various aspects of life, often juxtaposing the wise with the foolish, and the good with the bad, in a pragmatic tone. Chapters 7 and 8 provide practical advice on how to navigate the complexities and uncertainties of life "under the sun," balancing moments of sorrow, joy, wisdom, and folly. This specific verse emphasizes the virtue of patience and warns against uncontrolled anger, placing it in the realm of foolish behavior, which is a consistent theme throughout wisdom literature like Proverbs. It's an instruction on managing one's inner disposition for a more discerning and less problematic existence.
Ecclesiastes 7 9 Word analysis
- Be not quick (אַל־תְּבָהֵל / 'al-t'vâhel): This is a negative imperative, "do not hasten" or "do not be alarmed/disturbed quickly." It implies a warning against impulsiveness and reactivity. The emphasis is on the speed of reaction, urging for a measured response.
- in your spirit (בְרוּחֲךָ / b'rûakhǎḵā): "Spirit" (רוּחַ / ruach) refers to one's inner disposition, temperament, or character. It's about the internal core of one's being, indicating that the command addresses the source of the impulse, not just the outward expression.
- to become angry (לִכְעוֹס / liḵ'ôs): From the verb "to be angry," "to rage," or "to vex." This specifies the emotional state one should not be quick to enter into.
- for anger (כִּי כַעַס / kî ka'as): "Anger" (כַעַס / ka'as) here functions as the subject, directly stating the reason for the previous warning. This word implies not just a passing emotion, but a more entrenched state of agitation or resentment.
- lodges (יָנוּחַ / yānûaḥ): This verb means "to rest," "to settle down," "to abide," or "to dwell." It portrays anger not as a fleeting guest, but as a resident, something that takes up permanent dwelling and defines the character. It's a settled condition, not a transient emotion.
- in the bosom (בְחֵיק / b'ḥêq): "Bosom" or "lap." Metaphorically, this refers to the innermost self, the deep recess of the heart or mind, where one's most intimate thoughts and feelings reside. It indicates that anger has penetrated deeply and has become part of the fool's core identity.
- of fools (כְסִילִים / k'sîlîm): "Fools" (כְסִיל / k'sîl) in Hebrew wisdom literature are not necessarily intellectually dull but are morally or spiritually deficient. They resist instruction, act without foresight, lack discernment, and consistently make poor choices due to their hardened disposition against wisdom.
- "Be not quick in your spirit": This phrase directly addresses the internal state and reaction speed. It is a call for emotional self-regulation and restraint. True wisdom manifests in control over one's temperament, rather than immediate, reflexive outbursts.
- "anger lodges in the bosom of fools": This describes a characteristic state rather than an occasional occurrence. For fools, anger is not just a passing emotion but finds a comfortable, permanent resting place deep within their inner being, becoming an inherent part of their character and worldview. This settled anger demonstrates a profound lack of self-control and spiritual understanding, preventing the fool from embracing wisdom or discerning righteous paths.
Ecclesiastes 7 9 Bonus section
The Preacher often highlights practical wisdom crucial for navigating the 'under the sun' existence, where life is often perceived as full of 'hevel' (vanity, futility). This verse provides a practical strategy for dealing with personal frustrations and societal vexations by exercising self-control over one's inner disposition. It implicitly commends the virtues of patience and longsuffering, which are deeply rooted in the character of God Himself (e.g., Exod 34:6; Num 14:18). Unlike a simple "do not get angry," this verse warns specifically against the haste and dwelling of anger, underscoring that while emotions may arise, one must not allow them to quickly dominate the spirit or settle deeply in the heart. This principle helps the wise maintain inner peace and discerning judgment amidst life's disappointments, differentiating them sharply from those ruled by their passions.
Ecclesiastes 7 9 Commentary
Ecclesiastes 7:9 serves as a potent warning against unrestrained anger, positioning quick temper as a mark of foolishness. The verse distinguishes between momentary annoyance and a settled disposition of wrath. The "quickness in spirit" suggests impulsiveness, a failure to pause and consider before reacting with anger. Such reactivity is fundamentally opposed to wisdom, which promotes thoughtful deliberation and self-control. When anger "lodges" in the "bosom," it signifies a deep-seated characteristic, not just an isolated incident. For the fool, anger becomes an abiding resident, infecting their inner life and shaping their reactions. This entrenched anger blinds the individual to truth, distorts judgment, and inevitably leads to destructive behaviors or relationships. The Preacher’s counsel, therefore, is not merely against a specific emotion but against a destructive temperament that fundamentally contradicts the path of wisdom and righteous living.