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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ecclesiastes 7:21 Do not pay attention to every word that is spoken, or you may hear your servant cursing you.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/7-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/21_Ecc_07_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ecclesiastes 7:21 - The Limits of Human Wisdom" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Do not pay attention to every word that is spoken, or you may hear your servant cursing you." /><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/7-21.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/ecclesiastes/7-21.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/ecclesiastes/">Ecclesiastes</a> > <a href="/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Chapter 7</a> > Verse 21</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/7-20.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 7:20">◄</a> Ecclesiastes 7:21 <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-22.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 7:22">►</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/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 />Do not pay attention to every word people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Don’t eavesdrop on others—you may hear your servant curse you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not pay attention to every word that is spoken, or you may hear your servant cursing you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Also do not take to heart everything people say, Lest you hear your servant cursing you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Also, do not take seriously all the words which are spoken, so that you do not hear your servant cursing you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Also, do not take seriously all words which are spoken, so that you will not hear your servant cursing you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Also, do not take seriously all words which are spoken, lest you hear your servant cursing you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Also, do not give your heart to all words which are spoken, so that you will not hear your slave cursing you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Also, do not take seriously everything that is said, so that you will not hear your servant cursing you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Don’t pay attention to everything people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Don&#8217t pay attention to everything people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Also take not heed unto all words that are spoken, lest thou hear thy servant curse thee;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Don't listen to everything that everyone says, or you might hear your servant cursing you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Also take not heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Don't take everything that people say to heart, or you may hear your own servant cursing you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Don't pay attention to everything people say--you may hear your servant insulting you, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Don't listen to everything that is spoken— you may hear your servant cursing you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not pay attention to every word that is spoken, or you may hear your servant cursing you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ecclesiastes/7.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Also, do not pay attention to everything that people say; otherwise, you might even hear your servant cursing you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Also do not take heed to all words that are spoken, lest you hear your servant curse you;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Also take no heed to all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ecclesiastes/7.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Also don’t take heed to all words that are spoken, lest you hear your servant curse you; <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Also to all the words that they speak do not give your heart, that you do not hear your servant reviling you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Also to all the words that they speak give not thy heart, that thou hear not thy servant reviling thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Also to all the words that shall be spoken thou shalt not give thy heart, that thou shalt not hear thy servant cursing thee.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But do not apply thy heart to all words that are spoken: lest perhaps thou hear thy servant reviling thee. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 7:22>So then, do not attach your heart to every word that is spoken, lest perhaps you may hear your servant speaking ill of you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Do not give your heart to every word that is spoken; you may hear your servant cursing you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Do not give heed to everything that people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Also take no heed of all words that are spoken by the wicked; neither listen to your servant when he curses you;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And also do not give your heart to all statements that the wicked will utter; do not listen to your servant who insults you<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/7.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Also take not heed unto all words that are spoken, lest thou hear thy servant curse thee;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Also take no heed to all the words which ungodly men shall speak; lest thou hear thy servant cursing thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/7-21.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=1330" 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 Limits of Human Wisdom</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">20</span>Surely there is no righteous man on earth who does good and never sins. <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: gam (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: ’al- (Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">Do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: tit·tên (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">pay</a> <a href="/hebrew/3820.htm" title="3820: lib·be·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- 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.">attention</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: lə·ḵāl (Prep-l:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">to every</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: had·də·ḇā·rîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">word</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: yə·ḏab·bê·rū (V-Piel-Imperf-3mp) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">is spoken,</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.">or</a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: ṯiš·ma‘ (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">you may hear</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: ‘aḇ·də·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">your servant</a> <a href="/hebrew/7043.htm" title="7043: mə·qal·le·ḵā (V-Piel-Prtcpl-msc:: 2ms) -- To be slight, swift or trifling. A primitive root; to be light, literally Or figuratively.">cursing you.</a> </span><span class="reftext">22</span>For you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others.…<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/19-11.htm">Proverbs 19:11</a></span><br />A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-19.htm">James 1:19</a></span><br />My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-1.htm">Matthew 7:1-2</a></span><br />“Do not judge, or you will be judged. / For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/17-9.htm">Proverbs 17:9</a></span><br />Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but he who brings it up separates friends.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/4-31.htm">Ephesians 4:31-32</a></span><br />Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice. / Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/10-12.htm">Proverbs 10:12</a></span><br />Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers all transgressions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-13.htm">Colossians 3:13</a></span><br />Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/12-16.htm">Proverbs 12:16</a></span><br />A fool’s anger is known at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-9.htm">1 Peter 3:9</a></span><br />Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/16-32.htm">Proverbs 16:32</a></span><br />He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-17.htm">Romans 12:17-21</a></span><br />Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. / If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. / Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” ...<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="/luke/6-37.htm">Luke 6:37</a></span><br />Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/15-1.htm">Proverbs 15:1</a></span><br />A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/13-4.htm">1 Corinthians 13:4-7</a></span><br />Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. / It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. / Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Also take no heed to all words that are spoken; lest you hear your servant curse you:</p><p class="hdg">take no heed</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/19-19.htm">2 Samuel 19:19</a></b></br> And said unto the king, Let not my lord impute iniquity unto me, neither do thou remember that which thy servant did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart.</p><p class="hdg">unto</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/16-10.htm">2 Samuel 16:10</a></b></br> And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/29-21.htm">Isaiah 29:21</a></b></br> That make a man an offender for a word, and lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate, and turn aside the just for a thing of nought.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_corinthians/13-5.htm">1 Corinthians 13:5-7</a></b></br> Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/31-27.htm">Attention</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-11.htm">Curse</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-11.htm">Curses</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-24.htm">Cursing</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-5.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-18.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-5.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-8.htm">Hearing</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-9.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-5.htm">Heed</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-5.htm">Pay</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-2.htm">Reviling</a> <a href="/genesis/19-14.htm">Seriously</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-9.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-7.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-2.htm">Word</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-11.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/5-12.htm">Attention</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-20.htm">Curse</a> <a href="/isaiah/51-7.htm">Curses</a> <a href="/isaiah/8-21.htm">Cursing</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-17.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-12.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-13.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-16.htm">Hearing</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-22.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-9.htm">Heed</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-12.htm">Pay</a> <a href="/isaiah/37-3.htm">Reviling</a> <a href="/acts/19-31.htm">Seriously</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-16.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/songs/7-9.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-4.htm">Word</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-16.htm">Words</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'; </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/7.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>Do not pay attention</b><br />The Hebrew root for "pay attention" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which means to hear, listen, or give heed. In the context of Ecclesiastes, this phrase suggests a deliberate choice to not focus on or give weight to every spoken word. The wisdom literature of the Bible often emphasizes discernment and the ability to overlook minor offenses. This aligns with the broader biblical teaching of guarding one's heart and mind against unnecessary distractions or provocations, promoting peace and understanding.<p><b>to every word</b><br />The phrase "every word" underscores the comprehensive nature of the advice. In the ancient Near Eastern context, words held significant power and were often seen as extensions of one's character and intentions. The caution here is against becoming overly concerned with all spoken words, recognizing that not every word carries equal weight or truth. This reflects a call to wisdom, urging believers to discern which words are worth considering and which are better left unheeded.<p><b>that is spoken</b><br />The act of speaking, "דָּבַר" (dabar) in Hebrew, is a fundamental human activity that can build up or tear down. In the biblical context, speech is a powerful tool that can reflect the heart's condition. The verse advises against giving undue attention to all spoken words, acknowledging that not all speech is beneficial or constructive. This aligns with the biblical principle of being slow to speak and quick to listen, fostering a spirit of patience and understanding.<p><b>or you may hear</b><br />The potential to "hear" something undesirable is a reminder of the human tendency to eavesdrop or become overly concerned with others' opinions. The Hebrew word "שָׁמַע" (shama) again emphasizes the act of listening. The verse warns of the consequences of being too attentive to every word, suggesting that such behavior can lead to unnecessary hurt or conflict. This reflects a broader biblical theme of guarding one's heart and mind from negative influences.<p><b>your servant cursing you</b><br />In ancient times, a servant's curse would have been a serious matter, reflecting a breakdown in the relationship between master and servant. The Hebrew word for "cursing" is "קָלַל" (qalal), which means to despise or treat lightly. The verse acknowledges the reality of human relationships, where misunderstandings and offenses can occur. However, it advises against taking such words to heart, promoting forgiveness and understanding. This aligns with the Christian call to love and forgive others, recognizing that everyone falls short and needs grace.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 21.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken</span>; literally, <span class="accented">give not thy heart</span>, as <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-13.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:13</a>, etc. Here is another matter in which wisdom will lead to right conduct. You will not pay serious attention to evil reports either about yourself or others, nor regulate your views and actions according to such distortions of the truth. To be always hankering to know what people say of us is to set up a false standard, which will assuredly lead us astray; and, at the same time, we shall expose ourselves to the keen-eat mortification when we find, as we probably shall find, that they do not take us at our own valuation, but have thoroughly marked our weaknesses, and are ready enough to censure them. We have an instance of patience under unmerited reproof in the case of David when cursed by Shimei (<a href="/2_samuel/16-11.htm">2 Samuel 16:11</a>), as he, or one like minded, says (<a href="/psalms/38-13.htm">Psalm 38:13</a>), "I, as a deaf man, hear not; and I am as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth. Yea, I am as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs." Corn. a Lapide comments in words to which no translation would do justice, "Verbaenim non aunt verbera; aerem feriunt non hominem, nisi qui its attendit mordetur, sauciatur." <span class="cmt_word">Lest thou hear thy servant curse thee.</span> The servant is introduced as an example of a gossip or calumniator, because he, if any one, would be acquainted with his master's faults, and be most likely to disseminate his knowledge, and blame from such a quarter would be most intolerable. Commentators appositely quote Bacon's remarks on this passage in his 'Advancement of Learning,' 8:2, where he notes the prudence of Pompey, who burned all the papers of Sertorius reread, containing, as they did, information which would fatally have compromised many leading men in Rome. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/7-21.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">Do not</span><br /><span class="heb">אַל־</span> <span class="translit">(’al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">pay</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּתֵּ֖ן</span> <span class="translit">(tit·tên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">attention</span><br /><span class="heb">לִבֶּ֑ךָ</span> <span class="translit">(lib·be·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | second person 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 /><br /><span class="word">to every</span><br /><span class="heb">לְכָל־</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ḵāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">word</span><br /><span class="heb">הַדְּבָרִים֙</span> <span class="translit">(had·də·ḇā·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> </span><span class="str2">A word, a matter, thing, a cause</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that is spoken,</span><br /><span class="heb">יְדַבֵּ֔רוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yə·ḏab·bê·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> </span><span class="str2">To arrange, to speak, to subdue</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you may hear</span><br /><span class="heb">תִשְׁמַ֥ע</span> <span class="translit">(ṯiš·ma‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hear intelligently</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your servant</span><br /><span class="heb">עַבְדְּךָ֖</span> <span class="translit">(‘aḇ·də·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> </span><span class="str2">Slave, servant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">cursing you.</span><br /><span class="heb">מְקַלְלֶֽךָ׃</span> <span class="translit">(mə·qal·le·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular construct | second 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 /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/7-21.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/7-21.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/7-21.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/7-21.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/7-21.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/7-21.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/7-21.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/7-21.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/7-21.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/7-21.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-21.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 7:21 Also don't take heed to all words (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 7:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 7:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 7:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 7:22" /></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>