Ecclesiastes 7:18 Meaning and Explanation
“It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Hold fast to both cautions, for the one who fears God will be kept safe from every extreme.
What Does Ecclesiastes 7:18 Mean?
The Preacher gathers the two preceding warnings into one. 'This' and 'this' point back to the dangers of self-righteous pride and of reckless folly; we are to grasp both warnings and let go of neither.
The thread that holds them together is the fear of God. Reverence for the Lord steadies a person between every dangerous extreme, keeping the soul from both arrogance and ruin. To 'come forth of them all' is to walk safely through the snares on either side. Wisdom is finally not a formula but a relationship — the worshipful trust that orders the whole of life.
Ecclesiastes 7:18 in the Original Language
yare (יָרֵא), 'feareth' -- reverent awe before God, the trust that orders a whole life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ecclesiastes 7:18
What does Ecclesiastes 7:18 mean?
Hold fast to both cautions, for the one who fears God will be kept safe from every extreme.