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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 9:14 There was a small city with few men. A mighty king came against it, surrounded it, and built large siege ramps against it.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/9-14.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/21_Ecc_09_14.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ecclesiastes 9:14 - Wisdom is Better than Strength" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="There was a small city with few men. 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And a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built huge siege works against it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/9.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />There was a small town with only a few people, and a great king came with his army and besieged it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/9.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />There was a little city with few men in it, and a great king came against it and besieged it, building great siegeworks against it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/9.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />There was a small city with few men. A mighty king came against it, surrounded it, and built large siege ramps against it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/9.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br /><i>There was</i> a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ecclesiastes/9.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br /><i>There was</i> a little city with few men in it; and a great king came against it, besieged it, and built great snares around it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />there was a small city with few men in it, and a great king came to it, surrounded it, and constructed large siegeworks against it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/9.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />There was a small city with few men in it and a great king came to it, surrounded it and constructed large siegeworks against it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />There was a small city with few men in it and a great king came to it, surrounded it, and constructed large siegeworks against it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />There was a small city with few men in it, and a great king came to it, surrounded it, and built large siegeworks against it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />There was a little city with few men in it and a great king came against it and besieged it and built great battlements against it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />There was a small city with few men in it. A great king came against it, surrounded it, and built large siege works against it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />There was a small city with few men in it. A great king came against it, surrounded it, and built large siege works against it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/9.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />It happened when a powerful ruler surrounded and attacked a small city where only a few people lived. The enemy army was getting ready to break through the city walls. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/9.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />There was a small town with a few soldiers in it, and a powerful king came to attack it. He surrounded it and blockaded it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/9.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />There was a little town without many people in it. A powerful king attacked it. He surrounded it and prepared to break through the walls. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/9.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />There was a little city with few men in it. A great king came against it, surrounded it, and built massive siege ramps against it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ecclesiastes/9.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />There was once a small city with a few men in it, and a mighty king attacked it, besieging it and building strong siege works against it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />There was a little city, and few men within it; and a great king came against it, besieged it, and built great siege works against it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it:<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />There was a small city with few men. A mighty king came against it, surrounded it, and built large siege ramps against it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ecclesiastes/9.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />There was a little city, and few men within it; and a great king came against it, besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />A little city, and few men in it, and a great king has come to it, and has surrounded it, and has built against it great bulwarks;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> A little city, and few men in it, and a great king hath come unto it, and hath surrounded it, and hath built against it great bulwarks;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />A little city, and men in it few; and a great king came against it, and surrounded it, and built against it great entrenchments:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />A little city, and few men in it: there came against it a great king, and invested it, and built bulwarks round about it, and the siege was perfect. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />There was a small city, with a few men in it. There came against it a great king, who surrounded it, and built fortifications all around it, and the blockade was completed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/9.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Against a small city with few inhabitants advanced a mighty king, who surrounded it and threw up great siegeworks about it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />There was a little city with few people in it. A great king came against it and besieged it, building great siegeworks against it.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />There was a little city and few men in it; and there came a great king against it and beseiged it and built bulwarks against it;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/9.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />There was a small city and a few children of men in it, and a great King came to it and he surrounded it and he built bulwarks against it<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/9.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />there was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/9.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br /><i>suppose there were</i> a little city, and few men in it; and there should come against it a great king, and surround it, and build great mounds against it;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/9-14.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=1793" 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/9.htm">Wisdom is Better than Strength</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13</span>I have also seen this wisdom under the sun, and it was great to me: <span class="reftext">14</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6996.htm" title="6996: qə·ṭan·nāh (Adj-fs) -- Small, young, unimportant. Or qaton; from quwt; abbreviated, i.e. Diminutive, literally or figuratively.">There was a small</a> <a href="/hebrew/bāh (Prep:: 3fs) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: ‘îr (N-fs) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">city</a> <a href="/hebrew/4592.htm" title="4592: mə·‘āṭ (Adj-ms) -- A little, fewness, a few. Or miat; from ma'at; a little or few.">with few</a> <a href="/hebrew/582.htm" title="582: wa·’ă·nā·šîm (Conj-w:: N-mp) -- Man, mankind. From 'anash; properly, a mortal; hence, a man in general.">men.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1419.htm" title="1419: gā·ḏō·wl (Adj-ms) -- Great. Or gadol; from gadal; great; hence, older; also insolent.">A mighty</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: me·leḵ (N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">king</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: ū·ḇā- (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">came</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·le·hā (Prep:: 3fs) -- To, into, towards. ">against it,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5437.htm" title="5437: wə·sā·ḇaḇ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively.">surrounded it,</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·ṯāh (DirObjM:: 3fs) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1129.htm" title="1129: ū·ḇā·nāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To build. A primitive root; to build.">and built</a> <a href="/hebrew/1419.htm" title="1419: gə·ḏō·lîm (Adj-mp) -- Great. Or gadol; from gadal; great; hence, older; also insolent.">large</a> <a href="/hebrew/4685.htm" title="4685: mə·ṣō·w·ḏîm (N-mp) -- A net, a, fastness, tower. Or mtsowdah; or mtsodah; from tsuwd; a net.">siege ramps</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ā·le·hā (Prep:: 3fs) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">against it.</a> </span><span class="reftext">15</span>Now a poor wise man was found in the city, and he saved the city by his wisdom. Yet no one remembered that poor man.…<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="/2_samuel/20-16.htm">2 Samuel 20:16-22</a></span><br />a wise woman called out from the city, “Listen! Listen! Please tell Joab to come here so that I may speak with him.” / When he had come near to her, the woman asked, “Are you Joab?” “I am,” he replied. “Listen to the words of your servant,” she said. “I am listening,” he answered. / Then the woman said, “Long ago they used to say, ‘Seek counsel at Abel,’ and that is how disputes were settled. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/9-50.htm">Judges 9:50-57</a></span><br />Then Abimelech went to Thebez, encamped against it, and captured it. / But there was a strong tower inside the city, and all the men, women, and leaders of the city fled there. They locked themselves in and went up to the roof of the tower. / When Abimelech came to attack the tower, he approached its entrance to set it on fire. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/19-32.htm">2 Kings 19:32-36</a></span><br />So this is what the LORD says about the king of Assyria: ‘He will not enter this city or shoot an arrow into it. He will not come before it with a shield or build up a siege ramp against it. / He will go back the way he came, and he will not enter this city, declares the LORD. / I will defend this city and save it for My own sake and for the sake of My servant David.’” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/21-22.htm">Proverbs 21:22</a></span><br />A wise man scales the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/32-1.htm">2 Chronicles 32:1-22</a></span><br />After all these acts of faithfulness, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah. He laid siege to the fortified cities, intending to conquer them for himself. / When Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib had come to make war against Jerusalem, / he consulted with his leaders and mighty men about stopping up the waters of the springs outside the city, and they helped him carry it out. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/37-33.htm">Isaiah 37:33-36</a></span><br />So this is what the LORD says about the king of Assyria: ‘He will not enter this city or shoot an arrow into it. He will not come before it with a shield or build up a siege ramp against it. / He will go back the way he came, and he will not enter this city,’ declares the LORD. / ‘I will defend this city and save it for My own sake and for the sake of My servant David.’” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/20-15.htm">2 Samuel 20:15</a></span><br />And Joab’s troops came and besieged Sheba in Abel-beth-maacah and built a siege ramp against the outer rampart of the city. As all the troops with Joab were battering the wall to topple it,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/6-14.htm">2 Kings 6:14-23</a></span><br />the king of Aram sent horses, chariots, and a great army. They went there by night and surrounded the city. / When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early in the morning, behold, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. So he asked Elisha, “Oh, my master, what are we to do?” / “Do not be afraid,” Elisha answered, “for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/7-6.htm">2 Kings 7:6-7</a></span><br />For the Lord had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots, horses, and a great army, so that they said to one another, “Look, the king of Israel must have hired the kings of the Hittites and Egyptians to attack us.” / Thus the Arameans had arisen and fled at twilight, abandoning their tents and horses and donkeys. The camp was intact, and they had run for their lives.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/24-5.htm">Proverbs 24:5-6</a></span><br />A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge enhances his strength. / Only with sound guidance should you wage war, and victory lies in a multitude of counselors.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/23-7.htm">1 Samuel 23:7-13</a></span><br />When Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah, he said, “God has delivered him into my hand, for he has trapped himself by entering a town with gates and bars.” / Then Saul summoned all his troops to go to war at Keilah and besiege David and his men. / When David learned that Saul was plotting evil against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/20-1.htm">1 Kings 20:1-21</a></span><br />Now Ben-hadad king of Aram assembled his entire army. Accompanied by thirty-two kings with their horses and chariots, he marched up, besieged Samaria, and waged war against it. / Then he sent messengers into the city to Ahab king of Israel, / saying, “This is what Ben-hadad says: ‘Your silver and gold are mine, and your best wives and children are mine!’” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/14-31.htm">Luke 14:31-32</a></span><br />Or what king on his way to war with another king will not first sit down and consider whether he can engage with ten thousand men the one coming against him with twenty thousand? / And if he is unable, he will send a delegation while the other king is still far off, to ask for terms of peace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-13.htm">Matthew 5:13-16</a></span><br />You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its savor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. / You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. / Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-25.htm">1 Corinthians 1:25-29</a></span><br />For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. / Brothers, consider the time of your calling: Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were powerful; not many were of noble birth. / But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it:</p><p class="hdg">there was</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/20-15.htm">2 Samuel 20:15-22</a></b></br> And they came and besieged him in Abel of Bethmaachah, and they cast up a bank against the city, and it stood in the trench: and all the people that <i>were</i> with Joab battered the wall, to throw it down… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/6-24.htm">2 Kings 6:24-33</a></b></br> And it came to pass after this, that Benhadad king of Syria gathered all his host, and went up, and besieged Samaria… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/7-1.htm">2 Kings 7:1</a></b></br> Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the LORD; Thus saith the LORD, To morrow about this time <i>shall</i> a measure of fine flour <i>be sold</i> for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/109-28.htm">Attack</a> <a href="/psalms/139-5.htm">Besieged</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-3.htm">Building</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-4.htm">Built</a> <a href="/psalms/122-7.htm">Bulwarks</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-10.htm">City</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/15-1.htm">Constructed</a> <a href="/psalms/118-12.htm">Encompassed</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-12.htm">Few</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-13.htm">Great</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-26.htm">Little</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-18.htm">Once</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-19.htm">Powerful</a> <a href="/job/19-12.htm">Siegeworks</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-7.htm">Small</a> <a href="/psalms/119-61.htm">Surrounded</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-8.htm">War</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-11.htm">Within</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-7.htm">Works</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/21-2.htm">Attack</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-8.htm">Besieged</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-18.htm">Building</a> <a href="/songs/4-4.htm">Built</a> <a href="/isaiah/26-1.htm">Bulwarks</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-15.htm">City</a> <a href="/ezekiel/39-15.htm">Constructed</a> <a href="/jeremiah/52-21.htm">Encompassed</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-3.htm">Few</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-1.htm">Great</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-1.htm">Little</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-21.htm">Once</a> <a href="/isaiah/27-1.htm">Powerful</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-3.htm">Siegeworks</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-9.htm">Small</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-5.htm">Surrounded</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-18.htm">War</a> <a href="/songs/3-10.htm">Within</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-5.htm">Works</a><div class="vheading2">Ecclesiastes 9</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/9-1.htm">like things happen to good and bad</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/9-4.htm">there is a necessity of death unto men</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/9-7.htm">Comfort is all their portion in this life</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/9-11.htm">God's providence rules over all</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/9-13.htm">wisdom is better than strength</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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/9.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ecclesiastes/9.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>There was a small city with few men.</b><br>This phrase sets the stage for a parable-like story, illustrating the vulnerability and insignificance of the city. In ancient times, cities were often small and fortified, with populations that could be easily overwhelmed by larger forces. The mention of "few men" highlights the city's lack of military strength and resources. This imagery can be connected to the broader biblical theme of God using the weak to confound the strong, as seen in <a href="/1_corinthians/1-27.htm">1 Corinthians 1:27</a>. The small city can also symbolize the remnant of Israel, often depicted as a minority in the face of overwhelming odds.<p><b>A mighty king came against it,</b><br>The "mighty king" represents a powerful adversary, often seen in the Old Testament as a figure of judgment or oppression. Historically, kings like Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon or Sennacherib of Assyria would have been familiar to the original audience as examples of such powerful rulers. This phrase underscores the inevitability of conflict and the reality of living in a fallen world where power dynamics often lead to oppression. It also foreshadows the ultimate victory of God's kingdom over earthly powers, as prophesied in <a href="/daniel/2-44.htm">Daniel 2:44</a>.<p><b>surrounded it,</b><br>The act of surrounding a city was a common military tactic in ancient warfare, known as a siege. This would cut off the city's supplies and force it into submission. The imagery of being surrounded can also be seen in <a href="/psalms/22-12.htm">Psalm 22:12-13</a>, where David describes being encircled by enemies. Spiritually, this can represent the pressures and trials believers face, yet it also points to God's protection and deliverance, as seen in <a href="/psalms/34-7.htm">Psalm 34:7</a>.<p><b>and built large siege ramps against it.</b><br>Siege ramps were constructed to breach city walls, a method used by ancient armies to overcome fortified cities. Archaeological evidence, such as the siege ramp at Lachish, provides insight into the historical accuracy of such tactics. This phrase emphasizes the determination and resources of the attacking king. In a spiritual sense, it can symbolize the relentless attacks of the enemy against God's people. However, it also serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the ultimate futility of human efforts against His will, as seen in <a href="/psalms/2.htm">Psalm 2:1-4</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/small_city.htm">Small City</a></b><br>Represents a place of vulnerability and limited resources, often seen as insignificant in the grand scheme of things.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/f/few_men.htm">Few Men</a></b><br>Symbolizes the limited human strength and resources available to the city, highlighting its defenselessness.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/mighty_king.htm">Mighty King</a></b><br>Represents a powerful adversary or force that poses a significant threat to the small city.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/s/siege_works.htm">Siege Works</a></b><br>These are the military strategies and structures used by the king to conquer the city, indicating a methodical and overwhelming approach.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/e/event_of_siege.htm">Event of Siege</a></b><br>The scenario of a siege illustrates the theme of vulnerability and the potential for unexpected deliverance or wisdom.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_wisdom.htm">The Power of Wisdom</a></b><br>Wisdom can provide solutions and deliverance even when resources are limited.<br><br>Seek God's wisdom in times of vulnerability and challenge.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/strength_in_weakness.htm">Strength in Weakness</a></b><br>God often uses the weak and insignificant to accomplish His purposes.<br><br>Embrace your limitations as opportunities for God to demonstrate His power.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_strategy_over_human_strength.htm">Divine Strategy Over Human Strength</a></b><br>Trust in God's plans and strategies rather than relying solely on human strength and resources.<br><br>Pray for discernment to recognize and follow God's guidance in difficult situations.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/unexpected_deliverance.htm">Unexpected Deliverance</a></b><br>Be open to God's unexpected ways of providing deliverance and victory.<br><br>Cultivate a heart of faith that anticipates God's intervention.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_faith_in_adversity.htm">The Role of Faith in Adversity</a></b><br>Faith is crucial when facing overwhelming odds.<br><br>Strengthen your faith through prayer, scripture, and community support.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ecclesiastes_9.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 9</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_do_owls_symbolize_in_the_bible.htm">What is the significance of the Mandylion of Edessa?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_records_support_solomon's_city_builds.htm">According to 1 Kings 9:15, Solomon used forced labor to build key cities, but do historical or archaeological records support such extensive construction under his reign?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_can_2_chr_8_2_and_1_kgs_9_11-13_align.htm">In 2 Chronicles 8:2, Solomon rebuilds cities given by Hiram, yet 1 Kings 9:11-13 implies those cities were unacceptable to him; how can both accounts be accurate?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/when_is_it_time_to_harm_or_to_heal.htm">When is war or peace appropriate?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ecclesiastes/9.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(14) Idle attempts have been made to find a historic reference in this passage. What is here told is so like the story (2 Samuel 20) of the deliverance of Abel-beth-Maachah by a wise woman, whose name, nevertheless, has not been preserved, that we cannot even be sure that the writer had any other real history in his mind.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 14.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">There was a little city</span>. The substantive verb is, as commonly, omitted. Commentators have amused themselves with endeavoring to identify the city here mentioned. Thus some see herein Athens, saved by the counsel of Themistocles, who was afterwards driven from Athens and died in misery (Justin., 2:12); or Dora, near Mount Carmel, besieged unsuccessfully by Antiochus the Great, <span class="date">B.C. 218</span>, though we know nothing of the circumstances (Polyb., 5:66); but see note on ver. 13. The Septuagint takes the whole paragraph hypothetically, "Suppose there was a little city," etc. Wright well compares the historical allusions to events fresh in the minds of his hearers made by our Lord in his parable of the pounds (<a href="/luke/19-12.htm">Luke 19:12, 14, 15, 27</a>). So we may regard the present section as a parable founded on some historical fact well known at the time when the book was written. <span class="cmt_word">A great king</span>. The term points to some Persian or Assyrian potentate; or it may mean merely a powerful general (see <a href="/1_kings/11-24.htm">1 Kings 11:24</a>; <a href="/job/29-25.htm">Job 29:25</a>). <span class="cmt_word">Built great bulwarks against it</span>. The Septuagint has <span class="greek">χάρακας</span> <span class="greek">μεγάλους</span>, "great palisades;" the Vulgate, <span class="accented">Extruxitque munitiones per gyrum</span>. What are meant are embankments or mounds raised high enough to overtop the walls of the town, and to command the positions of the besieged. For the same purpose wooden towers were also used (see <a href="/deuteronomy/20-20.htm">Deuteronomy 20:20</a>; <a href="/2_samuel/20-15.htm">2 Samuel 20:15</a>; <a href="/2_kings/19-32.htm">2 Kings 19:32</a>; Jeremiah lit. 4). The Vulgate rounds off the account in the text by adding, <span class="accented">et perfects est obsidio</span>, " and the beleaguering was completed." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/9-14.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">There was a small</span><br /><span class="heb">קְטַנָּ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(qə·ṭan·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6996.htm">Strong's 6996: </a> </span><span class="str2">Small, young, unimportant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">city</span><br /><span class="heb">עִ֣יר</span> <span class="translit">(‘îr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> </span><span class="str2">Excitement</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with few men.</span><br /><span class="heb">מְעָ֑ט</span> <span class="translit">(mə·‘āṭ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4592.htm">Strong's 4592: </a> </span><span class="str2">A little, fewness, a few</span><br /><br /><span class="word">A mighty</span><br /><span class="heb">גָּדוֹל֙</span> <span class="translit">(gā·ḏō·wl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1419.htm">Strong's 1419: </a> </span><span class="str2">Great, older, insolent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">king</span><br /><span class="heb">מֶ֤לֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(me·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">came</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבָֽא־</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇā-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><br /><span class="word">against it,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵלֶ֜יהָ</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·le·hā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">surrounded it,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְסָבַ֣ב</span> <span class="translit">(wə·sā·ḇaḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5437.htm">Strong's 5437: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn about, go around, surround</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and built</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבָנָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇā·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1129.htm">Strong's 1129: </a> </span><span class="str2">To build</span><br /><br /><span class="word">large</span><br /><span class="heb">גְּדֹלִֽים׃</span> <span class="translit">(gə·ḏō·lîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1419.htm">Strong's 1419: </a> </span><span class="str2">Great, older, insolent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">siege ramps</span><br /><span class="heb">מְצוֹדִ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(mə·ṣō·w·ḏîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4685.htm">Strong's 4685: </a> </span><span class="str2">A net, a, fastness, tower</span><br /><br /><span class="word">against it.</span><br /><span class="heb">עָלֶ֖יהָ</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·le·hā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/9-14.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:14 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/9-14.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:14 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/9-14.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:14 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/9-14.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:14 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/9-14.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:14 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/9-14.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:14 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/9-14.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:14 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/9-14.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:14 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/9-14.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:14 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/9-14.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:14 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ecclesiastes/9-14.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 9:14 There was a little city and few (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/9-13.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 9:13"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 9:13" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/9-15.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 9:15"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 9:15" /></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>