Ecclesiastes 9 16

Ecclesiastes 9:16 kjv

Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.

Ecclesiastes 9:16 nkjv

Then I said: "Wisdom is better than strength. Nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, And his words are not heard.

Ecclesiastes 9:16 niv

So I said, "Wisdom is better than strength." But the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are no longer heeded.

Ecclesiastes 9:16 esv

But I say that wisdom is better than might, though the poor man's wisdom is despised and his words are not heard.

Ecclesiastes 9:16 nlt

So even though wisdom is better than strength, those who are wise will be despised if they are poor. What they say will not be appreciated for long.

Ecclesiastes 9 verses

Ecclesiastes 9 16 Meaning

Ecclesiastes 9:16 conveys a poignant observation by the Preacher: While wisdom intrinsically holds more value and is superior to raw strength or power, its practical utility and public reception are often undermined by the social status of its possessor. Specifically, the wisdom of a poor man is often despised or scorned, and his words, no matter how profound or beneficial, are ignored by those who might otherwise benefit from them. This highlights a cynical aspect of life "under the sun," where perception, wealth, and status can override objective merit and inherent truth.

Ecclesiastes 9 16 Context

Ecclesiastes 9:16 immediately follows a brief parable or illustrative anecdote in verses 13-15, which introduces a "poor wise man" who, by his wisdom, delivered a small city under siege. However, after the city was saved, "no one remembered that poor man." Verse 16 serves as Qoheleth’s (the Preacher’s) reflective summary and disillusioning conclusion drawn from this observation. It expresses the inherent paradox and frustration in life "under the sun" where actual worth (wisdom) often goes unacknowledged or unrewarded because of external factors like poverty and social standing. The broader context of Ecclesiastes frequently explores the "vanity" (hevel) of human endeavors, the unpredictability of outcomes, and the limitations of human knowledge and control. This verse specifically highlights how societal values often misplace honor, prioritizing wealth or status over true merit and practical wisdom, thereby creating a profound sense of futility for those who possess wisdom without accompanying material advantage.

Ecclesiastes 9 16 Word analysis

• Then said I: This phrase introduces the Preacher's personal reflection or conclusion based on the preceding observation (the poor wise man saving the city). It indicates Qoheleth is articulating a direct teaching from his experiences. The Hebrew אמרתי אני (āmár'ti aní) literally "I said, I," emphasizes the personal conviction and perhaps even the painful realization.
• Wisdom: Hebrew חכמה (ḥoḵmāh). This term in the Old Testament encompasses not just intellectual acuity but also skill, practical prudence, moral discernment, and living skillfully according to divine order. Here, it signifies the valuable and effective insight used to solve a difficult problem (as in saving a city). It's an internal quality of profound strategic knowledge.
• is better than strength: The comparison טובה מגבורה (ṭōwḇāh mi-ḡəḇūrrāh) establishes a clear hierarchy of value. "Strength" (גבורה, gəḇūrrāh) refers to military might, physical power, or perhaps political influence. The Preacher affirms that, in essence and effectiveness, wisdom outranks sheer brute force or power in achieving successful outcomes, aligning with common sapiential tradition (e.g., Prov 24:5).
• nevertheless: This transitional word (implied, as the Hebrew ו often acts as "and" or "but") marks a strong adversative shift. It introduces the tragic reality that contrasts with the intrinsic value just stated. It highlights the disparity between the ideal (wisdom's superiority) and the observed reality.
• the poor man's: Hebrew המסכן (hammiṣkēn), referring to "the needy," "the destitute," or "the indigent." This emphasizes not just a lack of wealth, but often a lack of social standing, influence, or voice. The socio-economic condition directly impacts perception.
• wisdom: (ḥoḵmāh) - revisited here, it’s the same valuable quality but now attributed to someone of low social standing, emphasizing the unfortunate fate of a valuable quality in the wrong hands, socially speaking.
• is despised: Hebrew בזויה (bəzûyāh). This vivid term means to be scorned, held in contempt, disdained, or seen as insignificant. It goes beyond mere non-recognition to active disdain, suggesting that poverty not only makes one overlooked but also often subjects one to social disgrace, diminishing anything good they possess. This stands in direct contrast to the intrinsic worth of wisdom itself.
• and his words: Refers to the poor wise man's counsel, advice, or warnings—the output of his wisdom. These are the verbal expressions of his profound understanding, crucial for communal benefit.
• are not heard: Hebrew אינם נשמעים (ʾêyām nišmāʿîm). This means "they are not listened to" or "they are not given an ear." It implies a lack of attentiveness, trust, or respect due to the speaker's status, not due to the content of his message. The consequence of being despised is that one’s contributions, no matter how valuable, are functionally ignored, rendering the wisdom useless to others despite its potential.

Words-group Analysis:

• "Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless": This phrase encapsulates the central paradox. It first establishes an eternal truth from a sapiential perspective—wisdom's inherent superiority. However, the abrupt "nevertheless" pivot shatters this ideal with a harsh dose of reality. The Preacher acknowledges the theoretical ideal only to highlight the depressing practical limitations observed "under the sun."
• "the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard": This duo presents the consequence of the "nevertheless." It vividly portrays the societal disregard for merit divorced from social standing. The contempt (despised) and inattentiveness (not heard) illustrate how human fallenness, social stratification, and material prejudice undermine justice and recognition of true worth. It speaks to human ingratitude and short-sightedness.

Ecclesiastes 9 16 Bonus section

• This verse can be seen as a precursor to the New Testament theme of God choosing the "foolish things of the world to shame the wise" and the "weak things of the world to shame the strong" (1 Cor 1:27). The rejected wisdom of the poor man resonates with the gospel message itself, often seen as "foolishness to those who are perishing" (1 Cor 1:18).
• Qoheleth’s realism here doesn't devalue wisdom itself, but rather criticizes the unjust societal conditions that fail to recognize and reward it properly. He maintains wisdom’s intrinsic superiority even as he laments its practical neglect by society.
• The tension described in Ecclesiastes 9:16 invites readers to consider where true honor and hearing originate—ultimately from God, who judges righteously, rather than from human systems of recognition that are often flawed and fleeting.

Ecclesiastes 9 16 Commentary

Ecclesiastes 9:16 captures one of Qoheleth’s most somber observations on life’s inequities: the stark divergence between intrinsic value and perceived worth. Though wisdom's practical superiority over strength is affirmed as a universal truth, the sad reality is that societal biases frequently prevent its just recognition. The wise poor man's counsel, though potent enough to deliver a city (vv. 13-15), is dismissed not on its merits, but on the demerits of its speaker’s impoverished status. His "wisdom is despised" and his "words are not heard," meaning both his person is scorned and his vital advice goes unheeded.

This verse serves as a powerful critique of human short-sightedness and vanity, illustrating how quickly gratitude fades and how readily society favors the powerful and wealthy, overlooking or even disdaining those of humble means. It highlights the "hevel" (vanity/futility) inherent in a system where merit isn't proportionally rewarded, and where those who could contribute most are silenced by their social disadvantage. For the Preacher, this is part of the vexing cycle of life that prompts a profound search for meaning beyond temporal success or recognition.

The verse is a profound theological statement, implicitly challenging a purely merit-based worldly view of justice and success. While wisdom has inherent value and utility, its outward reception is often tainted by the world's partiality. This truth resonated with early Christian understanding of Christ, who, though the embodiment of divine wisdom, was born humbly and "despised and rejected by men" (Isa 53:3), His words unheard by many. Ultimately, the verse prompts believers to understand that true value often lies beyond superficial recognition, and God's standards of judgment differ from humanity's flawed ones.