Ecclesiastes 9:16
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. | And I said, “Wisdom is better than strength, but the wisdom of the poor man is despised, and his words are not heeded.” | Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. |
In context
Who is speaking and to whom, what is happening, when and where, and why it matters, each with its sources. Coming with the context cards.
Original Hebrew words
| English | Hebrew | Say it | Strong's | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| and I said | וְאָמַ֣רְתִּי | ve-'a-MAR-ti | H0559 | to sayאָמַר (a.mar) 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560) |
| I | אָ֔נִי | 'A-ni | H0589 | meאֲנָא (a.na) I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis) Aramaic of a.ni (אֲנִי, אָֽנֹכִ֫י "I" H0589) |
| [is] good | טוֹבָ֥ה | to-VAH | H2896A | fineטָב (tav) good Aramaic of tov (טוֹב "pleasant" H2896A) |
| wisdom | חָכְמָ֖ה | chokh-mah | H2451 | wisdomחׇכְמָה (chokh.mah) 1) wisdom 1a) skill (in war) 1b) wisdom (in administration) 1c) shrewdness, wisdom 1d) wisdom, prudence (in religious affairs) 1e) wisdom (ethical and religious) |
| more than strength | מִגְּבוּרָ֑ה | mi-ge-vu-RAH | H1369 | mightגְּבוּרָה (ge.vu.rah) 1) strength, might 1a) strength 1b) might, valour, bravery 1c) might, mighty deeds (of God) Aramaic equivalent: ge.vu.rah (גְּבוּרָה "might" H1370) |
| and [the] wisdom of | וְחָכְמַ֤ת | ve-cha-khe-MAT | H2451 | wisdomחׇכְמָה (chokh.mah) 1) wisdom 1a) skill (in war) 1b) wisdom (in administration) 1c) shrewdness, wisdom 1d) wisdom, prudence (in religious affairs) 1e) wisdom (ethical and religious) |
| the poor [person] | הַמִּסְכֵּן֙ | ha-mis-KEN | H4542 | poorמִסְכֵּן (mis.ken) poor, poor man |
| [is] despised | בְּזוּיָ֔ה | be-zu-YAH | H0959 | to despiseבָּזָה (ba.zah) 1) to despise, hold in contempt, disdain 1a) (Qal) to despise, regard with contempt 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be despised 1b2) to be despicable 1b3) to be vile, worthless 1c) (Hiphil) to cause to despise Also means: ba.zoh (בָּזֹה "to despise" H0960) |
| and words his | וּדְבָרָ֖יו | u-de-va-RAV | H1697G | wordדָּבָר (da.var) : word/speech/command 1) speech, word, speaking, thing 1a) speech 1b) saying, utterance 1c) word, words 1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension) |
| not they | אֵינָ֥ם | 'ei-NAM | H0369 | nothingאַ֫יִן (a.yin) 1) nothing, not, nought n 1a) nothing, nought neg 1b) not 1c) to have not (of possession) adv 1d) without w/prep 1e) for lack of |
| [are] listened to | נִשְׁמָעִֽים׃ | nish-ma-'IM | H8085G | to hear: hearשָׁמַע (sha.ma) : hear v 1) to hear, listen to, obey 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to hear (perceive by ear) 1a2) to hear of or concerning 1a3) to hear (have power to hear) 1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to 1a5) to understand (language) 1a6) to hear (of judicial cases) 1a7) to listen, give heed 1a7a) to consent, agree 1a7b) to grant request 1a8) to listen to, yield to 1a9) to obey, be obedient 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound) 1b2) to be heard of 1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed 1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound … |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.