Ecclesiastes 9:13 kjv
This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me:
Ecclesiastes 9:13 nkjv
This wisdom I have also seen under the sun, and it seemed great to me:
Ecclesiastes 9:13 niv
I also saw under the sun this example of wisdom that greatly impressed me:
Ecclesiastes 9:13 esv
I have also seen this example of wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great to me.
Ecclesiastes 9:13 nlt
Here is another bit of wisdom that has impressed me as I have watched the way our world works.
Ecclesiastes 9 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ecc 9:13 | I saw under the sun that neither is the race to the swift, nor the... | Ecc 9:11 |
| Prov 8:32-36 | Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children... | Prov 8:32-36 |
| Matt 5:13 | Ye are the salt of the earth... | Matt 5:13 |
| Matt 13:31-32 | Another parable put he forth unto them, saying... | Matt 13:31-32 |
| 1 Cor 1:18-25 | For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness.. | 1 Cor 1:18-25 |
| 1 Cor 2:14 | But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit... | 1 Cor 2:14 |
| Gal 3:1 | O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you... | Gal 3:1 |
| Titus 3:3 | For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient,... | Titus 3:3 |
| 1 Pet 2:1-2 | Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and... | 1 Pet 2:1-2 |
| John 15:5 | I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I.. | John 15:5 |
| Rom 11:33-34 | O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! | Rom 11:33-34 |
| Eph 5:15-17 | See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise.. | Eph 5:15-17 |
| Prov 10:1 | The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father:... | Prov 10:1 |
| Prov 17:16 | Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom,... | Prov 17:16 |
| Prov 21:30 | There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord. | Prov 21:30 |
| Eccl 7:14 | In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity... | Eccl 7:14 |
| Eccl 7:15 | All things hath he wrought in his time: also he hath set... | Eccl 7:15 |
| Eccl 9:3 | This is an evil among all those that are done under the sun,... | Eccl 9:3 |
| Prov 24:5-6 | A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength. | Prov 24:5-6 |
| Eccl 2:13-14 | I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light... | Eccl 2:13-14 |
Ecclesiastes 9 verses
Ecclesiastes 9 13 Meaning
This verse highlights the often-unrecognized impact of seemingly small acts of wisdom. Despite the apparent pervasiveness of foolishness, a single wise person can significantly influence a large group, even when that group is overwhelmingly foolish. It speaks to the lasting value and far-reaching consequences of true wisdom, which can stand against widespread folly and, at times, redeem it.
Ecclesiastes 9 13 Context
Ecclesiastes 9:13 is situated within a broader section of the book (chapters 7-10) that contemplates the realities of life under the sun. The Preacher, observing the inequalities and seeming futility in the world, often reflects on how good fortune does not always align with diligence and how bad fortune can befall the virtuous. Previous verses in chapter 9 discuss how death is certain for all, the shared fate of humans and animals, and the eventual oblivion of memory. The context sets a tone of sober observation about the limitations and unpredictable nature of earthly existence, which can sometimes lead to despair or a questioning of God's justice.
Ecclesiastes 9 13 Word Analysis
- I saw (ra'ah): This Hebrew word signifies more than just physical sight; it implies a deep observation, perception, and understanding gained through experience and reflection. It underscores the Preacher's observational, empirical approach to understanding life.
- under the sun (tachath ha-shemesh): This is a key phrase in Ecclesiastes, indicating a perspective limited to the earthly, temporal realm, separate from divine revelation or eternal perspective. It sets the stage for discussions about worldly limitations and often the futility found within this scope.
- was a great city (ir gedolah): While literally meaning a large urban center, in this context, it functions as a metaphor for a significant community or a vast populace. It emphasizes the scale of the situation being observed.
- and the men therein were few (u'fethachai shekham metee): This is a literal translation; a more idiomatic rendering might be "and its inhabitants were few" or "few men were in it." This phrase starkly contrasts the size of the city with the small number of people, setting up the improbable rescue.
- and there came a great king against it (u'baa melekh gadol 'alayha): The "great king" represents overwhelming power, a formidable oppressor, or a destructive force. The term "great" (gadol) emphasizes his immense power and authority, likely referring to an aggressor nation or ruler.
- and besieged it (ve'yatsur 'aleyha): This describes the act of surrounding the city with a military force to conquer or destroy it. It conveys the severity of the threat.
- and built great bulwarks against it (ve'yach-aroth gedeloth 'athath bah): This phrase refers to the construction of siege engines, ramparts, or elaborate defensive/offensive structures used in warfare to overcome city walls. "Great" again stresses the formidable nature of the assault.
- Now there was found in it a poor wise man (ve-nimtsa ba`ah adam-ee vikh-am): This is the crux of the verse. The "poor wise man" represents an individual possessing wisdom but lacking resources or status. His wisdom, however, is presented as potent and decisive.
- and he delivered the city by his wisdom (u-ho-shi'a et-ha-'ir be-khokh-mo-thow): Despite the overwhelming odds, the wisdom of this one individual proved to be the deciding factor. The Hebrew "hoshia" (saved, delivered) emphasizes the rescue from peril.
- and yet no man remembered that poor man (ve-eth-en ish math'k-ar eth-ha-'adam ha-meh-oh): This highlights the ephemeral nature of human memory and recognition, especially for those who are not powerful or prominent. His act of great valor was quickly forgotten.
Phrase/Words Group Analysis:The phrase "neither is the race to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but time and chance happeneth to them all" (verse 11) from the preceding verse provides the foundational observation of this verse. It establishes that worldly advantages like speed or strength are not always decisive. This sets the stage for the instance of the wise man, where wisdom, not conventional strength, triumphs against superior military might. The stark contrast between the "great king" and the "poor wise man" illustrates this principle. The swiftness of human forgetting ("no man remembered that poor man") also echoes the general theme of the vanity and impermanence of earthly efforts and recognition under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 9 13 Bonus Section
The story is a literary illustration designed to provoke thought about the value of wisdom versus power in practical, real-world scenarios. It counters the idea that overwhelming might or large numbers automatically guarantee victory. The precarity of the "great city" and its "few men" could also allude to the precariousness of any human endeavor or society when facing overwhelming opposition, even with wise counsel. The entire passage points to the unpredictability of events and the importance of wisdom as a factor that can influence outcomes, even if that influence is fleetingly recognized or ultimately forgotten. This incident might also implicitly encourage a reverence for divine wisdom, which transcends human power and earthly limitations.
Ecclesiastes 9 13 Commentary
This verse serves as a powerful, albeit melancholic, illustration of the potential impact of wisdom in a fallen world. While the Preacher observes that neither speed nor strength guarantees success (v. 11), and that death and forgetfulness are common fates (vv. 5, 6, 10), this incident highlights that wisdom, even from a humble source, can indeed overcome formidable odds and change the course of events. The salvation of the city by a single "poor wise man" demonstrates that genuine insight and discerning counsel can be more effective than brute force or military superiority. However, the immediate following phrase that "no man remembered that poor man" casts a shadow, reminding us that even great acts of wisdom can go unacknowledged and unrewarded in the transient world. It's a paradox: wisdom's effectiveness, but also its often-unrecognized and uncelebrated nature within the human sphere.