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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 />Frustration is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Sorrow is better than laughter, for a sad countenance is good for the heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Sorrow <i>is</i> better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Sorrow <i>is</i> better than laughter, For by a sad countenance the heart is made better.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Sorrow is better than laughter, For when a face is sad a heart may be happy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Sorrow is better than laughter, For when a face is sad a heart may be happy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Sorrow is better than laughter, For when a face is sad a heart may be happy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Better is vexation than laughter, For when a face is sad a heart may be merry.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Sorrow is better than laughter, For when a face is sad (deep in thought) the heart may be happy [because it is growing in wisdom].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Grief is better than laughter, for when a face is sad, a heart may be glad.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Grief is better than laughter, for when a face is sad, a heart may be glad. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made glad.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Choose sorrow over laughter because a sad face may hide a happy heart. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made glad.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Sorrow is better than laughter because, in spite of a sad face, the heart can be joyful.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Sorrow is better than laughter; it may sadden your face, but it sharpens your understanding. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Sorrow is better than laughter, because the heart is made better through trouble.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Sorrow is better than laughter, for a sad countenance is good for the heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ecclesiastes/7.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Sorrow is better than laughter, because sober reflection is good for the heart. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the face the heart is made good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ecclesiastes/7.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the face the heart is made good. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Better [is] sorrow than laughter, "" For by the sadness of the face the heart becomes better.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Better is sorrow than laughter, For by the sadness of the face the heart becometh better.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Good is grief above laughter: for in the illness of the face the heart shall be good.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Anger is better than laughter: because by the sadness of the countenance the mind of the offender is corrected. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 7:4>Anger is better than laughter. For through the sadness of the countenance, the soul of one who offends may be corrected.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Sorrow is better than laughter; when the face is sad, the heart grows wise. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of countenance the heart is made glad.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Grief is better than laughter, because in the sadness of the face the heart will improve<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/7.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Vexation is better than laughter; For by the sadness of the countenance the heart may be gladdened.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart will be made better.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/7-3.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=1180" 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">2</span>It is better to enter a house of mourning than a house of feasting, since death is the end of every man, and the living should take this to heart. <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3708.htm" title="3708: ka·‘as (N-ms) -- Vexation, anger. Or kaoas; from ka'ac; vexation.">Sorrow</a> <a href="/hebrew/2896.htm" title="2896: ṭō·wḇ (Adj-ms) -- Pleasant, agreeable, good.">is better</a> <a href="/hebrew/7814.htm" title="7814: miś·śə·ḥōq (Prep-m:: N-ms) -- Laughter, derision, sport. Or schoq; from sachaq; laughter.">than laughter,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/7455.htm" title="7455: ḇə·rō·a‘ (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Badness, evil. From ra'a'; badness, physically or morally.">a sad</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: pā·nîm (N-mp) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">countenance</a> <a href="/hebrew/3190.htm" title="3190: yî·ṭaḇ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To be good, well, glad, or pleasing. A primitive root; to be make well, literally or figuratively.">is good</a> <a href="/hebrew/3820.htm" title="3820: lêḇ (N-ms) -- A form of lebab; the heart; also used very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything.">for the heart.</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure.…<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/14-13.htm">Proverbs 14:13</a></span><br />Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in sorrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/7-10.htm">2 Corinthians 7:10</a></span><br />Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-4.htm">Matthew 5:4</a></span><br />Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/126-5.htm">Psalm 126:5-6</a></span><br />Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy. / He who goes out weeping, bearing a trail of seed, will surely return with shouts of joy, carrying sheaves of grain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/4-9.htm">James 4:9</a></span><br />Grieve, mourn, and weep. Turn your laughter to mourning, and your joy to gloom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/61-2.htm">Isaiah 61:2-3</a></span><br />to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of our God’s vengeance, to comfort all who mourn, / to console the mourners in Zion—to give them a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise for a spirit of despair. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/16-20.htm">John 16:20</a></span><br />Truly, truly, I tell you, you will weep and wail while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/30-5.htm">Psalm 30:5</a></span><br />For His anger is fleeting, but His favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping may stay the night, but joy comes in the morning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/5-3.htm">Romans 5:3-5</a></span><br />Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; / perseverance, character; and character, hope. / And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/3-32.htm">Lamentations 3:32-33</a></span><br />Even if He causes grief, He will show compassion according to His abundant loving devotion. / For He does not willingly afflict or grieve the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/1-6.htm">1 Peter 1:6-7</a></span><br />In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials / so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/34-18.htm">Psalm 34:18</a></span><br />The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/1-4.htm">2 Corinthians 1:4-5</a></span><br />who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. / For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/12-11.htm">Hebrews 12:11</a></span><br />No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/51-17.htm">Psalm 51:17</a></span><br />The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.</p><p class="hdg">sorrow is better</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/119-67.htm">Psalm 119:67,71</a></b></br> Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/126-5.htm">Psalm 126:5,6</a></b></br> They that sow in tears shall reap in joy… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/31-8.htm">Jeremiah 31:8,9,15-20</a></b></br> Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, <i>and</i> with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither… </p><p class="hdg">by</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/5-3.htm">Romans 5:3,4</a></b></br> And not only <i>so</i>, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_corinthians/4-17.htm">2 Corinthians 4:17</a></b></br> For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding <i>and</i> eternal weight of glory;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hebrews/12-10.htm">Hebrews 12:10,11</a></b></br> For they verily for a few days chastened <i>us</i> after their own pleasure; but he for <i>our</i> profit, that <i>we</i> might be partakers of his holiness… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-2.htm">Better</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-17.htm">Countenance</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-30.htm">Face</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-15.htm">Gets</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-12.htm">Glad</a> <a href="/john/5-35.htm">Gladdened</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-1.htm">Good</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-19.htm">Happy</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-2.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-20.htm">Joy</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-2.htm">Laughter</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-11.htm">Mind</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-17.htm">Sad</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-17.htm">Sadness</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-17.htm">Sorrow</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-9.htm">Vexation</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-5.htm">Better</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-1.htm">Countenance</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-1.htm">Face</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-9.htm">Gets</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-7.htm">Glad</a> <a href="/isaiah/35-1.htm">Gladdened</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-11.htm">Good</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-14.htm">Happy</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-4.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-4.htm">Joy</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-6.htm">Laughter</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-4.htm">Mind</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-6.htm">Sad</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-2.htm">Sadness</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-6.htm">Sorrow</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-9.htm">Vexation</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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In the biblical context, the Preacher (traditionally understood as Solomon) emphasizes the vanity of earthly pleasures (<a href="/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:1-11</a>). Sorrow, in this sense, can lead to introspection and a more profound understanding of life and one's relationship with God. The Bible often portrays sorrow as a catalyst for repentance and spiritual renewal, as seen in <a href="/2_corinthians/7-10.htm">2 Corinthians 7:10</a>, where godly sorrow leads to repentance.<p><b>for a sad countenance is good for the heart</b><br>A sad countenance, or a serious demeanor, can lead to a more reflective and sincere heart. In ancient Near Eastern culture, expressions of sorrow were often public and communal, as seen in mourning practices (e.g., sackcloth and ashes in <a href="/esther/4.htm">Esther 4:1</a>). This phrase suggests that experiencing and expressing sorrow can purify and strengthen the heart, aligning it more closely with God's will. The heart, in biblical terms, is the center of one's being, encompassing emotions, will, and intellect. <a href="/proverbs/4-23.htm">Proverbs 4:23</a> emphasizes guarding the heart, for it is the wellspring of life. This verse in Ecclesiastes aligns with the biblical theme that true wisdom and understanding often come through trials and suffering, as seen in <a href="/james/1-2.htm">James 1:2-4</a>, where trials produce perseverance and maturity.<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 king of Israel known for his wisdom, wealth, and writings. Ecclesiastes is part of the wisdom literature attributed to him.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>- The central place of worship and the capital of Israel during Solomon's reign. It serves as the backdrop for much of Solomon's life and teachings.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_assembly.htm">The Assembly (Qoheleth)</a></b><br>- The term "Ecclesiastes" is derived from the Greek translation of the Hebrew word "Qoheleth," meaning "the assembler" or "teacher," referring to the speaker in the book.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_sorrow.htm">The Value of Sorrow</a></b><br>Sorrow can lead to introspection and personal growth. It encourages us to reflect on our lives and align more closely with God's will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/emotional_depth_and_spiritual_growth.htm">Emotional Depth and Spiritual Growth</a></b><br>Experiencing a range of emotions, including sorrow, can deepen our spiritual journey and reliance on God. It reminds us of our need for His comfort and guidance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/contrast_with_worldly_views.htm">Contrast with Worldly Views</a></b><br>The world often prioritizes happiness and laughter, but Scripture teaches that sorrow has its place and purpose in developing a mature faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/heart_transformation.htm">Heart Transformation</a></b><br>A "sad countenance" can lead to a softened heart, open to transformation and the work of the Holy Spirit.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/eternal_perspective.htm">Eternal Perspective</a></b><br>Sorrow can shift our focus from temporary pleasures to eternal truths, helping us prioritize what truly matters in life.<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/why_is_sorrow_preferable_to_laughter.htm">Why is sorrow preferable to laughter?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_lucifer's_fall.htm">What does the Bible say about the value of laughter?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_laughter's_value_in_the_bible.htm">What does the Bible say about the value of laughter?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_proverbs_14_13_mean.htm">What does Proverbs 14:13 mean?</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>(3) <span class= "bld">Sadness of the countenance.--</span><a href="/genesis/40-7.htm" title="And he asked Pharaoh's officers that were with him in the ward of his lord's house, saying, Why look you so sadly to day?">Genesis 40:7</a>; <a href="/nehemiah/3-3.htm" title="But the fish gate did the sons of Hassenaah build, who also laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.">Nehemiah 3:3</a>. "Anger" (margin). This is the usual meaning of the word, and so in <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-9.htm" title="Be not hasty in your spirit to be angry: for anger rests in the bosom of fools.">Ecclesiastes 7:9</a>. It is accordingly adopted here by the older translators, but the rendering of our version is required by the context.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Sorrow is better than laughter</span>. This is a further expansion of the previous maxim, <span class="hebrew">כַּעַס</span> (kaas), as contrasted with <span class="hebrew">שְׂהוק</span>, is rightly rendered "sorrow," "melancholy," or, as Ginsburg contends, "thoughtful sadness." The Septuagint has <span class="greek">θυμός</span>, the Vulgate <span class="accented">ira</span>; but auger is not the feeling produced by a visit to the house of mourning. Such a scene produces saddening reflection, which is in itself a moral training, and is more wholesome and elevating than thoughtless mirth. <span class="cmt_word">For by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.</span> The feeling which shows itself by the look of sadness (comp. <a href="/genesis/40-7.htm">Genesis 40:7</a>; <a href="/nehemiah/2-2.htm">Nehemiah 2:2</a>) has a purifying effect on the heart, gives a moral tone to the character. Professor Tayler Lewis renders the clause, "For in the sad. ness of the face the heart becometh fair;" <span class="accented">i</span>.<span class="accented">e</span>. sorrow beautifies the soul, producing, as it were, comeliness, spiritual beauty, and, in the end, serener happiness. The Vulgate translates the passage thus: <span class="accented">Melter eat ira risu</span>; <span class="accented">quia per tristitiam vultus corrigitur animus deliquentis</span>, "Better is anger than laughter, because through sadness of countenance the mind of the offender is corrected." The anger is that either of God or of good men which reproves sin; the laughter is that of sinners who thus show their connivance at or approval of evil. There can be no doubt that this is not the sense of the passage. For the general sentiment concerning the moral influence of grief and suffering, we may compare the Greek sayings, <span class="greek">Τὰ παθήματα μαθήματα</span>, and <span class="greek">Τί μαθών τί</span> <span class="greek">παθών</span>; which are almost equivalent in meaning (comp. AEschyl., 'Again.,' 170; Herod., 1:207). The Latins would say, "Quaenocent, docent," and we, "Pain is gain." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/7-3.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">Sorrow</span><br /><span class="heb">כַּ֖עַס</span> <span class="translit">(ka·‘as)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3708.htm">Strong's 3708: </a> </span><span class="str2">Vexation, anger</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is better</span><br /><span class="heb">ט֥וֹב</span> <span class="translit">(ṭō·wḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine 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">than laughter,</span><br /><span class="heb">מִשְּׂחֹ֑ק</span> <span class="translit">(miś·śə·ḥōq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7814.htm">Strong's 7814: </a> </span><span class="str2">Laughter, derision, sport</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a sad</span><br /><span class="heb">בְרֹ֥עַ</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·rō·a‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7455.htm">Strong's 7455: </a> </span><span class="str2">Badness, evil</span><br /><br /><span class="word">countenance</span><br /><span class="heb">פָּנִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(pā·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is good</span><br /><span class="heb">יִ֥יטַב</span> <span class="translit">(yî·ṭaḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3190.htm">Strong's 3190: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be good, well, glad, or pleasing</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for the heart.</span><br /><span class="heb">לֵֽב׃</span> <span class="translit">(lêḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3820.htm">Strong's 3820: </a> </span><span class="str2">The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/7-3.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/7-3.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/7-3.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/7-3.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/7-3.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/7-3.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/7-3.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/7-3.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/7-3.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/7-3.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-3.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 7:3 Sorrow is better than laughter (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 7:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 7:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 7:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 7:4" /></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>