SEV Biblia, Chapter 7:12
Porque en la sombra de la ciencia, y en la sombra del dinero reposa el hombre ; mas la sabiduría excede en que da vida a sus poseedores.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:12
Verse 12. Wisdom is a defense - To whom Solomon answers: All true wisdom is most undoubtedly a great advantage to men in all circumstances; and money is also of great use: but it cannot be compared to wisdom. Knowledge of Divine and human things is a great blessing. Money is the means of supporting our animal life: but wisdom- the religion of the true God-gives life to them that have it. Money cannot procure the favour of God, nor give life to the soul.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 12. For wisdom [is] a defence, [and] money [is] a defence , etc.] Or, a “shadow” of refreshment and protection, under which men sit with pleasure and safety; a man by his wisdom, and so by his money, is able to defend himself against the injuries and oppressions of others, and especially when both meet in one and the same man. Jarchi renders and interprets it, “he that is in the shadow of wisdom is in the shadow of money, for wisdom is the cause why riches come;” and so the Targum, “as a man is hid in the shadow of wisdom, so he is hid in the shadow of money, when he does alms with it;” compare with this ( Luke 16:9); (see Ecclesiastes 7:19 Ecclesiastes 9:16 Proverbs 18:11). Theognis has a saying much like this, “riches and wisdom are always inexpugnable to mortals;” but the excellency of knowledge [is, that] wisdom giveth life to them that have it ; or, “the excellency of the knowledge of wisdom giveth life” f162 , etc. not of natural wisdom, or the knowledge of natural and civil things, the vanity of this is exposed, before by the wise man; but the knowledge of God in Christ; the knowledge of Christ, who is the Wisdom of God; and of the Gospel, and of all divine and spiritual things: this is a superior excellency to riches, which often expose a man’s life to danger, cannot preserve him from a corporeal death, much less from an eternal one. When this is the excellency of spiritual knowledge, that spiritual life goes along with it; such as are spiritually enlightened are spiritually quickened; live by faith on Christ, whom they know; and, through the knowledge of him, have all things pertaining to life and godliness, and have both a right and meetness for eternal life; yea, this knowledge is life eternal, ( John 17:3); (see 2 Peter 1:3); and this is the pure gift of Wisdom, or of Christ, and not owing to the merit of men, or works done in obedience to the law, which cannot give this life; (see John 17:2 10:28) ( Romans 6:23 Galatians 3:21).
Matthew Henry Commentary
The benefit of a good name; of death above life; of sorrow above vai mirth. (Eccl. 7:1-6) Concerning oppression, anger, and discontent (Eccl. 7:7-10) Advantages of wisdom. (Eccl. 7:11-22) Experience of the evil of sin. (Eccl. 7:23-29)
Eccl. 7:1-6 Reputation for piety and honesty is more desirable than all the wealth and pleasure in this world. It will do more good to go to funeral than to a feast. We may lawfully go to both, as there is occasion; our Saviour both feasted at the wedding of his friend i Cana, and wept at the grave of his friend in Bethany. But, considerin how apt we are to be vain and indulge the flesh, it is best to go to the house of mourning, to learn the end of man as to this world Seriousness is better than mirth and jollity. That is best for us whic is best for our souls, though it be unpleasing to sense. It is bette to have our corruptions mortified by the rebuke of the wise, than to have them gratified by the song of fools. The laughter of a fool i soon gone, the end of his mirth is heaviness.
Eccl. 7:7-10 The event of our trials and difficulties is often bette than at first we thought. Surely it is better to be patient in spirit than to be proud and hasty. Be not soon angry, nor quick in resentin an affront. Be not long angry; though anger may come into the bosom of a wise man, it passes through it as a way-faring man; it dwells only in the bosom of fools. It is folly to cry out upon the badness of ou times, when we have more reason to cry out for the badness of our ow hearts; and even in these times we enjoy many mercies. It is folly to cry up the goodness of former times; as if former ages had not the lik things to complain of that we have: this arises from discontent, an aptness to quarrel with God himself.
Eccl. 7:11-22 Wisdom is as good as an inheritance, yea better. I shelters from the storms and scorching heat of trouble. Wealth will no lengthen out the natural life; but true wisdom will give spiritual life, and strengthen men for services under their sufferings. Let u look upon the disposal of our condition as the work of God, and at las all will appear to have been for the best. In acts of righteousness, be not carried into heats or passions, no, not by a zeal for God. Be no conceited of thine own abilities; nor find fault with every thing, no busy thyself in other men's matters. Many who will not be wrought upo by the fear of God, and the dread of hell, will avoid sins which rui their health and estate, and expose to public justice. But those tha truly fear God, have but one end to serve, therefore act steadily. I we say we have not sinned, we deceive ourselves. Every true believer i ready to say, God be merciful to me a sinner. Forget not at the sam time, that personal righteousness, walking in newness of life, is the only real evidence of an interest by faith in the righteousness of the Redeemer. Wisdom teaches us not to be quick in resenting affronts. Be not desirous to know what people say; if they speak well of thee, it will feed thy pride, if ill, it will stir up thy passion. See that tho approve thyself to God and thine own conscience, and then heed not what men say of thee; it is easier to pass by twenty affronts than to aveng one. When any harm is done to us, examine whether we have not done a bad to others.
Eccl. 7:23-29 Solomon, in his search into the nature and reason of things, had been miserably deluded. But he here speaks with godl sorrow. He alone who constantly aims to please God, can expect to escape; the careless sinner probably will fall to rise no more. He no discovered more than ever the evil of the great sin of which he ha been guilty, the loving many strange women, I Kin. 11:1. A woma thoroughly upright and godly, he had not found. How was he likely to find such a one among those he had collected? If any of them had bee well disposed, their situation would tend to render them all nearly of the same character. He here warns others against the sins into which he had been betrayed. Many a godly man can with thankfulness acknowledg that he has found a prudent, virtuous woman in the wife of his bosom but those men who have gone in Solomon's track, cannot expect to fin one. He traces up all the streams of actual transgression to the fountain. It is clear that man is corrupted and revolted, and not as he was made. It is lamentable that man, whom God made upright, has foun out so many ways to render himself wicked and miserable. Let us bles Him for Jesus Christ, and seek his grace, that we may be numbered with his chosen people __________________________________________________________________
Original Hebrew
כי 3588 בצל 6738 החכמה 2451 בצל 6738 הכסף 3701 ויתרון 3504 דעת 1847 החכמה 2451 תחיה 2421 בעליה׃ 1167
