Ecclesiastes 7:11

h. Wisdom is better than haughty judgment. Ecclesiastes 7:11

TEXT 7:11

11

Wisdom along with an inheritance is good and an advantage to those who see the sun.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 7:11

191.

Who are the ones meant by those who see the sun?

192.

Wisdom plus what is an advantage?

PARAPHRASE 7:11

Wisdom like an inheritance is good and is profitable to those who are now living upon the earth.

COMMENT 7:11

There are two ways to view this verse. One suggests that wisdom plus an inheritance is good. The other is that wisdom like an inheritance is good. The original language will permit either. The English translations are varied.
Wisdom is likened unto an inheritance. This suggests that it is a permanent possession. An inheritance was kept in the family to be passed on from parents to children. It is wisdom, however, that is under discussion and not an inheritance. Wisdom is good like an inheritance, it is permanent like an inheritance, and it is superior to an inheritance. Other related passages in Ecclesiastes verify these conclusions. It is also true that wisdom enhances the value of an inheritance. However, when one is reduced to wisdom alone, he still has the greater treasure. Note Proverbs 3:13-14: How blessed is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding. For its profit is better than the profit of silver and its gain than fine gold.

There is also a reciprocal nature that exists between wisdom and money: Wisdom lends value to wealth and wealth lends prestige to wisdom.
Wisdom is an advantage to those who see the sun. This conveys the idea that one can make more of life upon this earth than normally thought. The word advantage probably does not mean financial increase but rather that wisdom will add more to the enjoyment and purpose of living than would an inheritance. This conclusion is also supported by verse twelve.

FACT QUESTIONS 7:11

344.

Give the two ways the first part of this verse can be interpreted.

345.

Why doesn-'t the original language settle the issue?

346.

Give reasons why wisdom is superior to an inheritance.

347.

Discuss what is meant by wisdom being an advantage to those who possess it.