King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Say not thou, What is [the cause] that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Don't ask why the old days were better than now, because that is a foolish question.
Berean Standard Bible:
Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is unwise of you to ask about this.
American Standard Version:
Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Say{H559} not thou, What is the cause that the former{H7223} days{H3117} were better{H2896} than these? for thou dost not enquire{H7592} wisely{H2451} concerning this.
Cross-References (KJV):
Judges 6:13
- And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where [be] all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.
Genesis 6:11
- ¶ The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.
Genesis 6:12
- And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.
Romans 1:22
- Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
Romans 1:32
- Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Isaiah 50:1
- ¶ Thus saith the LORD, Where [is] the bill of your mother's divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors [is it] to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away.
Jeremiah 44:17
- But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for [then] had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Ecclesiastes 7:10
Ecclesiastes 7:10, "Say not thou, What is [the cause] that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this," is a verse that addresses the human tendency to romanticize the past and view it as inherently superior to the present. The historical context of this verse is set within the broader wisdom literature of the Hebrew Bible, specifically the book of Ecclesiastes, traditionally attributed to Solomon, the King of Israel. This book is known for its philosophical reflections on the meaning of life, the nature of wisdom, and the human condition.
The verse discourages the listener from questioning why past times were considered better, suggesting that such questioning lacks wisdom. The theme here is skepticism about nostalgia. The author of Ecclesiastes, known as the Preacher or Qoheleth, often challenges conventional wisdom and encourages a realistic, albeit sometimes bleak, view of life's fleeting nature. By cautioning against the belief that the past was necessarily better, the verse invites readers to live in the present and to recognize that every age has its challenges and blessings.
In essence, Ecclesiastes 7:10 is a call to wisdom, urging individuals not to waste their energy on idealizing the past but rather to focus on understanding and living well in their own time. This perspective is consistent with the book's broader exploration of what is truly meaningful in a world characterized by both joy and sorrow, gain and loss. The verse reflects a key theme in Ecclesiastes: the importance of embracing life as it is, with all its complexities, rather than longing for an idealized past that may not be accurate or productive to dwell upon.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H559
There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָמַר
Transliteration: ʼâmar
Pronunciation: aw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. - Strong's Number: H7223
There are 174 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רִאשׁוֹן
Transliteration: riʼshôwn
Pronunciation: ree-shone'
Description: or רִאשֹׁן; from רִאשָׁה; first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun); ancestor, (that were) before(-time), beginning, eldest, first, fore(-father) (-most), former (thing), of old time, past. - Strong's Number: H3117
There are 1931 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יוֹם
Transliteration: yôwm
Pronunciation: yome
Description: from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb); age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. - Strong's Number: H2896
There are 517 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: טוֹב
Transliteration: ṭôwb
Pronunciation: tobe
Description: from טוֹב; good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or women), also as an adverb (well); beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, [idiom] fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, [idiom] most, pleasant, [phrase] pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well(-favoured). - Strong's Number: H7592
There are 157 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁאַל
Transliteration: shâʼal
Pronunciation: shaw-al'
Description: or שָׁאֵל; a primitive root; to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand; ask (counsel, on), beg, borrow, lay to charge, consult, demand, desire, [idiom] earnestly, enquire, [phrase] greet, obtain leave, lend, pray, request, require, [phrase] salute, [idiom] straitly, [idiom] surely, wish. - Strong's Number: H2451
There are 141 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חׇכְמָה
Transliteration: chokmâh
Pronunciation: khok-maw'
Description: from חָכַם; wisdom (in a good sense); skilful, wisdom, wisely, wit.