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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 10:10 If the axe is dull and the blade unsharpened, more strength must be exerted, but skill produces success.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/10-10.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/21_Ecc_10_10.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ecclesiastes 10:10 - Wisdom and Folly" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="If the axe is dull and the blade unsharpened, more strength must be exerted, but skill produces success." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></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/10-10.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/10-10.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/10.htm">Chapter 10</a> > Verse 10</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="/ad1.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/10-9.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 10:9">◄</a> Ecclesiastes 10:10 <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-11.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 10:11">►</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="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/10.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/10.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/10.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Using a dull ax requires great strength, so sharpen the blade. That’s the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/10.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />If the axe is dull and the blade unsharpened, more strength must be exerted, but skill produces success.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/10.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom <i>is</i> profitable to direct.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ecclesiastes/10.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />If the ax is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/10.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen <i>its</i> edge, then he must exert <i>more</i> strength. Wisdom <i>has</i> the advantage of bringing success.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/10.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength. Wisdom has the advantage of giving success.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/10.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen <i>its</i> edge, then he must exert more strength. Wisdom has the advantage of giving success.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen <i>its</i> edge, then he must exert more strength. Wisdom has the advantage of giving success.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength; but wisdom [to sharpen the axe] helps him succeed [with less effort].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen its edge, then one must exert more strength; however, the advantage of wisdom is that it brings success.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen its edge, then one must exert more strength; however, the advantage of wisdom is that it brings success. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/10.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />If the iron be blunt, and one do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />If you don't sharpen your ax, it will be harder to use; if you are wise, you'll know what to do. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/10.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />If the iron be blunt, and one do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/10.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />If an ax is blunt and the edge isn't sharpened, then one has to use more strength. But wisdom prepares the way for success.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />If your ax is dull and you don't sharpen it, you have to work harder to use it. It is smarter to plan ahead. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/10.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />If someone's ax is blunt—the edge isn't sharpened— then more strength will be needed. Putting wisdom to work will bring success.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />If the axe is dull and the blade unsharpened, more strength must be exerted, but skill produces success.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ecclesiastes/10.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />If an iron axhead is blunt and a workman does not sharpen its edge, he must exert a great deal of effort; so wisdom has the advantage of giving success. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/10.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />If the axe is blunt, and one doesn't sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />If the iron is blunt, and he doth not whet the edge, then must he use more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ecclesiastes/10.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />If the ax is blunt, and one doesn’t sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />If the iron has been blunt, "" And he has not sharpened the face, "" Then he increases strength, "" And wisdom [is] advantageous to make right.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> If the iron hath been blunt, And he the face hath not sharpened, Then doth he increase strength, And wisdom is advantageous to make right.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />If the iron became dull and he polished not the face, and he will strengthen the forces: and wisdom will make preeminence to prosper.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />If the iron be blunt, and be not as before, but be made blunt, with much labour it shall be sharpened: and after industry shall follow wisdom. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />If the iron is dull, and if it was not that way before, but has been made dull by much labor, then it will be sharpened. And wisdom will follow after diligence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/10.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />If the ax becomes dull, and the blade is not sharpened, then effort must be increased. But the advantage of wisdom is success. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/10.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />If the iron is blunt, and one does not whet the edge, then more strength must be exerted; but wisdom helps one to succeed.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Just as the edge of a weapon may be blunt, and not sharpened, and yet may cause many to be slain, so wisdom is more advantageous to those who are diligent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />If the iron is dull and the surface is rough and it multiplies those killed, also wisdom is a profit for diligent ones<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/10.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />If the iron be blunt, And one do not whet the edge, Then must he put to more strength; But wisdom is profitable to direct.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />If the axe-head should fall off, then the man troubles his countenance, and he must put forth more strength: and <i>in that case</i> skill is of no advantage to a man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/10-10.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8-2fxj-VcEg?start=1912" 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/10.htm">Wisdom and Folly</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">9</span>The one who quarries stones may be injured by them, and he who splits logs endangers himself. <span class="reftext">10</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">If</a> <a href="/hebrew/1270.htm" title="1270: hab·bar·zel (Art:: N-ms) -- Iron. Perhaps from the root of Birzowth; iron; by extension, an iron implement.">the axe</a> <a href="/hebrew/6949.htm" title="6949: qê·hāh (V-Piel-Perf-3ms) -- To be blunt or dull. A primitive root; to be dull.">is dull</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: wə·hū (Conj-w:: Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">and</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: p̄ā·nîm (N-mp) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">the blade</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7043.htm" title="7043: qil·qal (V-Piel-Perf-3ms) -- To be slight, swift or trifling. A primitive root; to be light, literally Or figuratively.">unsharpened,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2428.htm" title="2428: wa·ḥă·yā·lîm (Conj-w:: N-mp) -- From chuwl; probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength.">more strength</a> <a href="/hebrew/1396.htm" title="1396: yə·ḡab·bêr (V-Piel-Imperf-3ms) -- To be strong, mighty. A primitive root; to be strong; by implication, to prevail, act insolently.">must be exerted,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2451.htm" title="2451: ḥāḵ·māh (N-fs) -- Wisdom. From chakam; wisdom.">but skill</a> <a href="/hebrew/3504.htm" title="3504: wə·yiṯ·rō·wn (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Advantage, profit. From yathar; preeminence, gain.">produces</a> <a href="/hebrew/3787.htm" title="3787: haḵ·šēr (V-Hifil-Inf) -- A primitive root properly, to be straight or right; by implication, to be acceptable; also to succeed or prosper.">success.</a> </span><span class="reftext">11</span>If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.…<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/27-17.htm">Proverbs 27:17</a></span><br />As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/21-5.htm">Proverbs 21:5</a></span><br />The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/24-5.htm">Proverbs 24:5</a></span><br />A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge enhances his strength.<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/3-13.htm">Proverbs 3:13-14</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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/8-1.htm">Proverbs 8:1-2</a></span><br />Does not wisdom call out, and understanding raise her voice? / On the heights overlooking the road, at the crossroads she takes her stand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/14-29.htm">Proverbs 14:29</a></span><br />A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/19-20.htm">Proverbs 19:20</a></span><br />Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/15-22.htm">Proverbs 15:22</a></span><br />Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.<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="/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="/james/3-13.htm">James 3:13</a></span><br />Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-16.htm">Colossians 3:16</a></span><br />Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/5-15.htm">Ephesians 5:15-16</a></span><br />Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, / redeeming the time, because the days are evil.<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.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.</p><p class="hdg">wisdom</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-15.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:15</a></b></br> The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/9-15.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:15-17</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="/genesis/41-33.htm">Genesis 41:33-39</a></b></br> Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-12.htm">Advantage</a> <a href="/john/11-50.htm">Advantageous</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-12.htm">Apply</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-5.htm">Ax</a> <a href="/psalms/74-6.htm">Axe</a> <a href="/psalms/58-7.htm">Blunt</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-19.htm">Direct</a> <a href="/psalms/92-6.htm">Dull</a> <a href="/psalms/133-2.htm">Edge</a> <a href="/1_timothy/6-12.htm">Exert</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-1.htm">Face</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-5.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/psalms/37-40.htm">Helps</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-11.htm">Increase</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-17.htm">Iron</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-8.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-10.htm">Needed</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-11.htm">Profitable</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-2.htm">Right</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-15.htm">Sharp</a> <a href="/psalms/140-3.htm">Sharpen</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-17.htm">Sharpened</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-11.htm">Skill</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-16.htm">Strength</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-30.htm">Succeed</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-4.htm">Success</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-2.htm">Use</a> <a href="/psalms/64-3.htm">Whet</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-3.htm">Wisdom</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-11.htm">Advantage</a> <a href="/john/11-50.htm">Advantageous</a> <a href="/isaiah/38-21.htm">Apply</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-15.htm">Ax</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-15.htm">Axe</a> <a href="/psalms/58-7.htm">Blunt</a> <a href="/isaiah/26-7.htm">Direct</a> <a href="/isaiah/6-10.htm">Dull</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-7.htm">Edge</a> <a href="/amos/2-14.htm">Exert</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-1.htm">Face</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-1.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-7.htm">Helps</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-15.htm">Increase</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-34.htm">Iron</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-19.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/matthew/6-11.htm">Needed</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-10.htm">Profitable</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-17.htm">Right</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-28.htm">Sharp</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-11.htm">Sharpen</a> <a href="/isaiah/49-2.htm">Sharpened</a> <a href="/isaiah/25-11.htm">Skill</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-17.htm">Strength</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-6.htm">Succeed</a> <a href="/daniel/6-28.htm">Success</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-11.htm">Use</a> <a href="/exodus/11-7.htm">Whet</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-13.htm">Wisdom</a><div class="vheading2">Ecclesiastes 10</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-1.htm">observations of wisdom and folly</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-7.htm">death in life</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-9.htm">and the day of judgment in the days of youth, are to be thought on</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 /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>If the ax is dull</b><br />The imagery of a dull ax is a powerful metaphor for inefficiency and lack of preparation. In the Hebrew context, the word for "dull" (קֵהֶה, "qeh") implies a blunted or ineffective tool. This can be seen as a reflection on the importance of maintaining one's spiritual and practical tools in life. Just as a dull ax cannot effectively cut wood, a life not sharpened by wisdom and understanding cannot effectively fulfill its purpose. The ax represents the tools and resources God provides, and it is our responsibility to keep them sharp through prayer, study, and righteous living.<p><b>and its blade unsharpened</b><br />The phrase "blade unsharpened" emphasizes the need for continual maintenance and improvement. In ancient times, sharpening an ax was a routine task, requiring attention and effort. Spiritually, this suggests the necessity of regular self-examination and growth in faith. The Hebrew root for "unsharpened" (לֹא חָד, "lo chad") indicates a lack of readiness or preparedness. This serves as a reminder that neglecting our spiritual disciplines can lead to ineffectiveness in our Christian walk.<p><b>more strength is needed</b><br />This phrase highlights the increased effort required when one is not properly prepared. The Hebrew word for "strength" (חַיִל, "chayil") can also mean force or might. It suggests that without proper preparation, we must exert more effort to achieve the same results. In a spiritual sense, this can be seen as a call to rely not on our own strength but on God's power. When we fail to prepare spiritually, we may find ourselves struggling unnecessarily, relying on human effort rather than divine guidance.<p><b>but skill will bring success</b><br />The contrast here is between brute force and skillful action. The Hebrew word for "skill" (חָכְמָה, "chokmah") is often translated as wisdom, indicating that success comes not from sheer effort but from wise and skillful application of knowledge. This aligns with the broader biblical theme that wisdom, which begins with the fear of the Lord, is the key to a successful and fulfilling life. The phrase "will bring success" (יַכְשִׁיר, "yakshir") suggests that skill and wisdom lead to favorable outcomes. This is a call to pursue godly wisdom, which equips us to navigate life's challenges effectively.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(10) The wording of this verse in the original is very obscure; and we can only say of the rendering in the text that it seems to be preferred to any which it has been proposed to substitute for it. The mention of cutting wood in the preceding verse suggests the illustration from the axe, exemplifying how wisdom will serve instead of strength.<p><span class= "bld">Iron.</span>--<a href="/2_kings/6-5.htm" title="But as one was felling a beam, the ax head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed.">2Kings 6:5</a>; <a href="/isaiah/10-34.htm" title="And he shall cut down the thickets of the forest with iron, and Lebanon shall fall by a mighty one.">Isaiah 10:34</a>; <a href="/proverbs/27-17.htm" title="Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.">Proverbs 27:17</a>.<p><span class= "bld">Whet.</span>--<a href="/ezekiel/21-21.htm" title="For the king of Babylon stood at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination: he made his arrows bright, he consulted with images, he looked in the liver.">Ezekiel 21:21</a>, where it is translated "make bright."<p><span class= "bld">Edge.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">face. </span>We have often in Hebrew "mouth of the sword," for edge of the sword, but the only parallel for the expression "face" in that sense is in the highly poetical passage in <a href="/ezekiel/21-16.htm" title="Go you one way or other, either on the right hand, or on the left, wherever your face is set.">Ezekiel 21:16</a>, just referred to. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/10.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 10.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge</span>. The illustration at the end of the last verse is continued. The "iron" is the axe used in cutting wood; if this be blunted by the work to which it is put, and he, the laborer, has not sharpened the edge (Hebrew, <span class="accented">the face</span>, as in <a href="/ezekiel/21-1.htm">Ezekiel 21:1</a>), what is the consequence? How is he to carry on his work? <span class="cmt_word">Then must he put to more strength</span>. He must put more force in his blows, he must make up for the want of edge by added power and weight. This is the simplest explanation of the passage, which contains many linguistic difficulties. These may be seen discussed at length in the commentaries of Delitzsch, Wright, Nowack, etc. The translation of Ginsburg is not commendable, "If the axe be blunt, and he (the tyrant's opponent)do not sharpen it beforehand (<span class="accented">phanim</span>, taken as an adverb of time), he (the tyrant) shall only increase the army." The Septuagint is obscure, <span class="greek">Ἐὰν ἐκπέσῃ τὸ σιδήριον καὶ αὐτὸς</span> <span class="greek">πρόσωπον ἐτάραξε καὶ δυνάμεις δυναμώσει</span>, "If the axe should fall, then he troubles his face, and he shall strengthen his forces (? double his strength);" Vulgate, <span class="accented">Si retusum fuerit ferrurn, et hoc non ut prius, sed hebetatum fuerit, multo labore exacuetur</span>, "If the iron shall be blunted, and it be not as before, but have become dull, it shall be sharpened with much labor." <span class="cmt_word">But wisdom is profitable to direct</span>; rather, <span class="accented">the advantage of setting right is</span> (<span class="accented">on the side of</span>) <span class="accented">wisdom</span>. Wisdom teaches how to conduct matters to a successful termination; for instance, it prompts the worker to sharpen his tool instead of trying to accomplish his task by an exertion of mere brute strength. The gnome applies to all the instances which have been mentioned above. Wisdom alone enables a man to meet and overcome the dangers and difficulties which beset his social, common, and political life. If we apply the whole sentence to the case of disaffection with the government or open rebellion, the caution given would signify - See that your means are adequate to the end, that your resources are sufficient to conduct your enterprise to success. Septuagint Vatican, <span class="greek">Καὶ περίσσεια τῷ ἀνδρὶ οὐ</span> <span class="greek">σοφία</span>, "And the advantage to man is not wisdom." But manuscripts A and C read, <span class="greek">Καὶ περισσεια τοῦ αηνδρίου σοφία</span>: Vulgate, <span class="accented">Post industriam sequetur sapientia</span>, "After industry shall follow wisdom." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/10-10.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">If</span><br /><span class="heb">אִם־</span> <span class="translit">(’im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the ax</span><br /><span class="heb">הַבַּרְזֶ֗ל</span> <span class="translit">(hab·bar·zel)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1270.htm">Strong's 1270: </a> </span><span class="str2">Iron, an iron implement</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is dull</span><br /><span class="heb">קֵהָ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(qê·hāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6949.htm">Strong's 6949: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be blunt or dull</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהוּא֙</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the blade</span><br /><span class="heb">פָנִ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(p̄ā·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">unsharpened,</span><br /><span class="heb">קִלְקַ֔ל</span> <span class="translit">(qil·qal)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7043.htm">Strong's 7043: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be slight, swift or trifling</span><br /><br /><span class="word">more strength</span><br /><span class="heb">וַחֲיָלִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(wa·ḥă·yā·lîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2428.htm">Strong's 2428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A force, an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength</span><br /><br /><span class="word">must be exerted,</span><br /><span class="heb">יְגַבֵּ֑ר</span> <span class="translit">(yə·ḡab·bêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1396.htm">Strong's 1396: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be strong, to prevail, act insolently</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but skill</span><br /><span class="heb">חָכְמָֽה׃</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">will produce</span><br /><span class="heb">וְיִתְר֥וֹן</span> <span class="translit">(wə·yiṯ·rō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3504.htm">Strong's 3504: </a> </span><span class="str2">Preeminence, gain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">success.</span><br /><span class="heb">הַכְשֵׁ֖ר‪‬הכשירהַכְשֵׁ֖ר‪‬</span> <span class="translit">(haḵ·šêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3787.htm">Strong's 3787: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be advantageous, proper, or suitable, to succeed</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/10-10.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:10 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/10-10.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:10 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/10-10.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:10 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/10-10.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:10 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/10-10.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:10 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/10-10.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:10 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/10-10.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:10 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/10-10.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:10 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/10-10.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:10 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/10-10.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:10 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-10.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 10:10 If the axe is blunt and one (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-9.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 10:9"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 10:9" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-11.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 10:11"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 10:11" /></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>