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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ecclesiastes 7:11 Wisdom, like an inheritance, is good, and it benefits those who see the sun.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/7-11.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/21_Ecc_07_11.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ecclesiastes 7:11 - The Value of Wisdom" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Wisdom, like an inheritance, is good, and it benefits those who see the sun." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/ecclesiastes/7-11.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/ecclesiastes/7-11.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/ecclesiastes/">Ecclesiastes</a> > <a href="/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Chapter 7</a> > Verse 11</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad11.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-10.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 7:10">◄</a> Ecclesiastes 7:11 <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-12.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 7:12">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/7.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing and benefits those who see the sun.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Wisdom is even better when you have money. Both are a benefit as you go through life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Wisdom is good with an inheritance, an advantage to those who see the sun.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Wisdom, like an inheritance, is good, and it benefits those who see the sun.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Wisdom <i>is</i> good with an inheritance: and <i>by it there is</i> profit to them that see the sun.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Wisdom <i>is</i> good with an inheritance, And profitable to those who see the sun.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Wisdom along with an inheritance is good, And an advantage to those who see the sun.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Wisdom along with an inheritance is good And an advantage to those who see the sun.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Wisdom along with an inheritance is good And an advantage to those who see the sun.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Wisdom along with an inheritance is good And an advantage to those who see the sun.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Wisdom along with an inheritance is good And an [excellent] advantage for those who see the sun.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Wisdom is as good as an inheritance and an advantage to those who see the sun,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Wisdom is as good as an inheritance and an advantage to those who see the sun, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Wisdom is as good as an inheritance; yea, more excellent is it for them that see the sun.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Having wisdom is better than an inheritance. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Wisdom is as good as an inheritance: yea, more excellent is it for them that see the sun.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Wisdom is as good as an inheritance. It is an advantage to everyone who sees the sun.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Everyone who lives ought to be wise; it is as good as receiving an inheritance <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Wise use of possessions is good; it brings benefit to the living. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Wisdom, like an inheritance, is good, and it benefits those who see the sun.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ecclesiastes/7.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing; it benefits those who see the light of day. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Wisdom is as good as an inheritance. Yes, it is more excellent for those who see the sun.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ecclesiastes/7.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Wisdom is as good as an inheritance. Yes, it is more excellent for those who see the sun. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Wisdom [is] good with an inheritance, "" And an advantage [it is] to those beholding the sun.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Wisdom is good with an inheritance, And an advantage it is to those beholding the sun.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and a remainder to those seeing the sun.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Wisdom with riches is more profitable, and bringeth more advantage to them that see the sun. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 7:12>Wisdom with riches is more useful and more advantageous, for those who see the sun.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Wisdom is as good as an inheritance and profitable to those who see the sun. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Wisdom is as good as an inheritance, an advantage to those who see the sun.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Wisdom is better than weapons; yea, it is better for those who see the light of the truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Wisdom is better than a supply of arms, and it is greater for those seeing the sun<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/7.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Wisdom is good with an inheritance, Yea, a profit to them that see the sun.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and <i>there is</i> an advantage <i>by it</i> to them that see the sun.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/7-11.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8-2fxj-VcEg?start=1241" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">The Value of Wisdom</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">10</span>Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is unwise of you to ask about this. <span class="reftext">11</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2451.htm" title="2451: ḥāḵ·māh (N-fs) -- Wisdom. From chakam; wisdom.">Wisdom,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5973.htm" title="5973: ‘im- (Prep) -- From amam; adverb or preposition, with, in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix.">like</a> <a href="/hebrew/5159.htm" title="5159: na·ḥă·lāh (N-fs) -- From nachal; properly, something inherited, i.e. occupancy, or an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion.">an inheritance,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2896.htm" title="2896: ṭō·w·ḇāh (Adj-fs) -- Pleasant, agreeable, good.">is good,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3148.htm" title="3148: wə·yō·ṯêr (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Active participle of yathar; properly, redundant; hence, over and above, as adjective, noun, adverb or conjunction.">and it benefits</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: lə·rō·’ê (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">those who see</a> <a href="/hebrew/8121.htm" title="8121: haš·šā·meš (Art:: N-cs) -- From an unused root meaning to be brilliant; the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. A notched battlement.">the sun.</a> </span><span class="reftext">12</span>For wisdom, like money, is a shelter, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of its owner.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/3-13.htm">Proverbs 3:13-18</a></span><br />Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding, / for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold. / She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/8-10.htm">Proverbs 8:10-11</a></span><br />Receive my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold. / For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire compares with her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/16-16.htm">Proverbs 16:16</a></span><br />How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/4-7.htm">Proverbs 4:7</a></span><br />Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/2-1.htm">Proverbs 2:1-6</a></span><br />My son, if you accept my words and hide my commandments within you, / if you incline your ear to wisdom and direct your heart to understanding, / if you truly call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-5.htm">James 1:5</a></span><br />Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/2-2.htm">Colossians 2:2-3</a></span><br />that they may be encouraged in heart, knit together in love, and filled with the full riches of complete understanding, so that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, / in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-24.htm">1 Corinthians 1:24</a></span><br />but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/28-12.htm">Job 28:12-19</a></span><br />But where can wisdom be found, and where does understanding dwell? / No man can know its value, nor is it found in the land of the living. / The ocean depths say, ‘It is not in me,’ while the sea declares, ‘It is not with me.’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-44.htm">Matthew 13:44-46</a></span><br />The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and in his joy he went and sold all he had and bought that field. / Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. / When he found one very precious pearl, he went away and sold all he had and bought it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/3-9.htm">1 Kings 3:9-12</a></span><br />Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?” / Now it pleased the Lord that Solomon had made this request. / So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this instead of requesting long life or wealth for yourself or death for your enemies—but you have asked for discernment to administer justice— ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/111-10.htm">Psalm 111:10</a></span><br />The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts gain rich understanding. His praise endures forever!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/119-72.htm">Psalm 119:72</a></span><br />The law from Your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-21.htm">Luke 12:21</a></span><br />This is how it will be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/6-17.htm">1 Timothy 6:17-19</a></span><br />Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy. / Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share, / treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.</p><p class="hdg">good with an inheritance</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/9-15.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:15-18</a></b></br> Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/3-6.htm">1 Kings 3:6-9</a></b></br> And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as <i>it is</i> this day… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/16-8.htm">Luke 16:8,9</a></b></br> And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light… </p><p class="hdg">them</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/11-7.htm">Ecclesiastes 11:7</a></b></br> Truly the light <i>is</i> sweet, and a pleasant <i>thing it is</i> for the eyes to behold the sun:</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/6-11.htm">Advantage</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-11.htm">Beholding</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-17.htm">Benefits</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-10.htm">Excellent</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-3.htm">Good</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-21.htm">Heritage</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-10.htm">Inheritance</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-11.htm">Profit</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-9.htm">Profitable</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-12.htm">Sun</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-12.htm">Together</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-10.htm">Wisdom</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-12.htm">Advantage</a> <a href="/matthew/13-14.htm">Beholding</a> <a href="/john/4-38.htm">Benefits</a> <a href="/songs/5-15.htm">Excellent</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-14.htm">Good</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-2.htm">Heritage</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-2.htm">Inheritance</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-11.htm">Profit</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-10.htm">Profitable</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-9.htm">Sun</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-11.htm">Together</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-12.htm">Wisdom</a><div class="vheading2">Ecclesiastes 7</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-1.htm">remedies against vanity are, a good name</a></span><br><span class="reftext">2. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-2.htm">mortification</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-7.htm">patience</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-11.htm">wisdom</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-23.htm">The difficulty of wisdom</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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Wisdom is compared to an inheritance, suggesting its enduring value and the stability it provides. <a href="/proverbs/3-13.htm">Proverbs 3:13-14</a> also highlights the value of wisdom, likening it to precious jewels. Wisdom, in this sense, is not merely intellectual knowledge but a practical understanding of life that aligns with God's principles. It is a divine gift that guides moral and ethical decisions, much like an inheritance provides material support.<p><b>and it benefits those who see the sun</b><br>The phrase "those who see the sun" refers to the living, emphasizing that wisdom is advantageous in the earthly life. This expression is a poetic way of describing human existence under the sun, a recurring theme in Ecclesiastes that underscores the temporal nature of life. Wisdom benefits the living by offering guidance and insight into navigating life's complexities. In a broader biblical context, <a href="/james/1-5.htm">James 1:5</a> encourages believers to seek wisdom from God, who gives generously. This wisdom is not only practical for daily living but also prepares individuals for eternal life, reflecting the dual benefit of wisdom for both the present and the future.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom, wealth, and writings.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation where Solomon reigned as king, providing the cultural and historical context for Ecclesiastes.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_preacher.htm">The Preacher (Qoheleth)</a></b><br>The voice in Ecclesiastes, often identified with Solomon, who reflects on the meaning of life and the pursuit of wisdom.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_sun.htm">The Sun</a></b><br>A metaphorical reference to life on earth, representing those who are alive and experiencing the world.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/i/inheritance.htm">Inheritance</a></b><br>A tangible asset passed down from one generation to another, used here as a metaphor for the value of wisdom.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_wisdom.htm">The Value of Wisdom</a></b><br>Wisdom is portrayed as a valuable inheritance, suggesting it is both a gift and a responsibility. Just as an inheritance can provide security and opportunity, wisdom offers guidance and insight for life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/w/wisdom_and_life.htm">Wisdom and Life</a></b><br>The phrase "those who see the sun" implies that wisdom is beneficial for the living. It equips us to navigate life's challenges and make decisions that honor God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/pursuing_godly_wisdom.htm">Pursuing Godly Wisdom</a></b><br>True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord (<a href="/proverbs/9-10.htm">Proverbs 9:10</a>). Believers are encouraged to seek wisdom through prayer, scripture, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/w/wisdom_as_a_legacy.htm">Wisdom as a Legacy</a></b><br>Just as an inheritance is passed down, believers are called to impart wisdom to the next generation, teaching them to value and apply God's truth in their lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/b/balancing_material_and_spiritual_wealth.htm">Balancing Material and Spiritual Wealth</a></b><br>While material inheritance is temporary, spiritual wisdom has eternal value. Christians are encouraged to prioritize spiritual growth and understanding over earthly possessions.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ecclesiastes_7.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 7</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_ecclesiastes_8_16-17_conflict_with_other_biblical_revelations.htm">Does the author's emphasis on the limitation of human understanding in Ecclesiastes 8:16-17 conflict with other biblical texts that claim revelations of divine mysteries?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_wisdom_futile_in_ecclesiastes_2_15-16.htm">Does Ecclesiastes 2:15-16 contradict Proverbs' exaltation of wisdom by calling wisdom ultimately futile?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_ecclesiastes_9_7_contradict_self-denial.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:7 emphasizes enjoyment of life; does this contradict New Testament calls for self-denial and sacrifice?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_boast_about_your_own_achievements.htm">What gain is there in chasing after the wind?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(11) <span class= "bld">With.</span>--This is the ordinary meaning of the word, and accordingly is the rendering of the older translators, but the marginal "as good as," or "equally with," agrees so much better with the context, that the only question is whether the word will bear that meaning. And though in some places where it is translated "like," the rendering "with" may be substituted, yet the passages in <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-16.htm" title="For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dies the wise man? as the fool.">Ecclesiastes 2:16</a>, "no resemblance to the wise equally with the foolish," <a href="/job/9-26.htm" title="They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hastens to the prey.">Job 9:26</a>, "my days have passed like the swift ships," seem to be decisive that it will.<p><span class= "bld">Profit.</span>--In defence of the marginal "yea, better," may be pleaded that the word is translated as an adverb (<a href="/esther/6-6.htm" title="So Haman came in. And the king said to him, What shall be done to the man whom the king delights to honor? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honor more than to myself?">Esther 6:6</a>; and in this book (<a href="/ecclesiastes/2-16.htm" title="For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dies the wise man? as the fool.">Ecclesiastes 2:16</a>; <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-8.htm" title="For what has the wise more than the fool? what has the poor, that knows to walk before the living?">Ecclesiastes 6:8</a>; <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-11.htm" title="Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?">Ecclesiastes 6:11</a>; <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-16.htm" title="Be not righteous over much; neither make yourself over wise: why should you destroy yourself ?">Ecclesiastes 7:16</a>; <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-9.htm" title="And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yes, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.">Ecclesiastes 12:9</a>; <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-12.htm" title="And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.">Ecclesiastes 12:12</a>). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 11.</span> - Such hasty judgment is incompatible with true wisdom and sagacity. <span class="cmt_word">Wisdom is good with an inheritance</span>; Septuagint, <span class="greek">Ἀγαθὴ σοφία μετὰ κληρονομίας</span>. Vulgate, <span class="accented">Utilior eat sapientia cam divitiis</span>. The sentence thus rendered seems to mean that wealth lends a prestige to wisdom, that the man is happy who possesses both. The inheritance spoken of is an hereditary one; the man who is "rich with ancestral wealth" is enabled to employ his wisdom to good purpose, his position adding weight to his words and actions, and relieving him from the low pursuit of money-making. To this effect Wright quotes Menander - <p><span class="greek">Μακάριος ὅστις οὐσίαν καὶ νοῦν ἕχει</span><br /><span class="greek">Ξρῆται γὰρ οῦτος εἰς α} δεῖ ταύτῃ καλῶς</span>. <p><span class="accented">"Blest is the man who wealth and wisdom hath,<br />For he can use his riches as he ought."</span> (Comp. <a href="/proverbs/14-24.htm">Proverbs 14:24</a>.) Many commentators, thinking such a sentiment alien front the context, render the particle <span class="hebrew">עִם</span> not "with," but "as" Wisdom is [as] good as an inheritance" (see on Ecclesiastes 2:16). This is putting wisdom on rather a low platform, and one would have expected to read some such aphorism as "Wisdom is better than rubies" (<a href="/proverbs/8-11.htm">Proverbs 8:11</a>), if Koheleth had intended to make any such comparison. It appears then most expedient to take <span class="accented">im</span> in the sense of "moreover," "as well as," "<span class="accented">and"</span> (camp. <a href="/1_samuel/17-42.htm">1 Samuel 17:42</a>, "ruddy, and (<span class="accented">ira</span>) of a fair countenance"). "Wisdom is good, and an inheritance is good; 'both are good, but the advantages of the former, as ver. 12 intimates, far outweigh those of the latter. <span class="cmt_word">And by it there is profit to them that see the sun</span>; rather, <span class="accented">and an advantage for those that see the</span>, <span class="accented">sun</span>. However useful wealth may be, wisdom is that which is really beneficial to all who live and rejoice in the light of day. In Homer the phrase, <span class="greek">ὁρᾶν φάος ἠελίοιο</span>, "to see the light of the sun" ('Iliad,' 18:61), signifies merely "to live;" Plumptre considers it to be used here and in Ecclesiastes 19:7 in order to convey the thought that, after all, life has its bright side. Cox would take it to mean to live much in the sun, <span class="accented">i</span>.<span class="accented">e</span>. <span class="accented">to</span> lead an active life - which is an imported modern notion. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/7-11.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Wisdom,</span><br /><span class="heb">חָכְמָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(ḥāḵ·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2451.htm">Strong's 2451: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wisdom</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like</span><br /><span class="heb">עִֽם־</span> <span class="translit">(‘im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5973.htm">Strong's 5973: </a> </span><span class="str2">With, equally with</span><br /><br /><span class="word">an inheritance,</span><br /><span class="heb">נַחֲלָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(na·ḥă·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5159.htm">Strong's 5159: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something inherited, occupancy, an heirloom, an estate, patrimony, portion</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[is] good,</span><br /><span class="heb">טוֹבָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(ṭō·w·ḇāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2896.htm">Strong's 2896: </a> </span><span class="str2">Pleasant, agreeable, good</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and it benefits</span><br /><span class="heb">וְיֹתֵ֖ר</span> <span class="translit">(wə·yō·ṯêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3148.htm">Strong's 3148: </a> </span><span class="str2">Superiority, advantage, excess</span><br /><br /><span class="word">those who see</span><br /><span class="heb">לְרֹאֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(lə·rō·’ê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> </span><span class="str2">To see</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the sun.</span><br /><span class="heb">הַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ׃</span> <span class="translit">(haš·šā·meš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8121.htm">Strong's 8121: </a> </span><span class="str2">The sun, the east, a ray, a notched battlement</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/7-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:11 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/7-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:11 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/7-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:11 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/7-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:11 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/7-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:11 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/7-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:11 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/7-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:11 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/7-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:11 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/7-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:11 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/7-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:11 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-11.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 7:11 Wisdom is as good as an inheritance (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 7:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 7:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 7:12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 7:12" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>