Ecclesiastes 9:16 Meaning and Explanation
“Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →The Preacher draws his lesson: wisdom surpasses strength, yet a poor man's wisdom is often scorned and his counsel ignored.
What Does Ecclesiastes 9:16 Mean?
The Preacher states the moral of his parable plainly: wisdom is better than strength. The poor wise man proved it by saving a city no army could have held. Yet in the same breath he names the painful reverse, that the poor man's wisdom is despised and his words go unheard, simply because of his low standing.
Two truths stand side by side. Wisdom truly is the greater power, but the world does not always honor it, especially in the lowly. The believer learns not to measure a word by the wealth of the one who speaks it, and not to grow bitter when good counsel is ignored. God values what the world overlooks, and he hears the despised voice that others will not.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ecclesiastes 9:16
What does Ecclesiastes 9:16 mean?
The Preacher draws his lesson: wisdom surpasses strength, yet a poor man's wisdom is often scorned and his counsel ignored.