King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.
Complete Jewish Bible:
But oppression can make a wise man stupid; also a gift can destroy understanding.
Berean Standard Bible:
Surely extortion turns a wise man into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart.
American Standard Version:
Surely extortion maketh the wise man foolish; and a bribe destroyeth the understanding.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Surely oppression{H6233} maketh a wise man{H2450} mad{H1984}; and a gift{H4979} destroyeth{H6} the heart{H3820}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Deuteronomy 16:19
- Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.
Exodus 23:8
- And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous.
Proverbs 17:23
- ¶ A wicked [man] taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.
Proverbs 17:8
- ¶ A gift [is as] a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
Deuteronomy 28:65
- And among these nations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest: but the LORD shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind:
Isaiah 1:23
- Thy princes [are] rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.
1 Samuel 8:3
- And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Ecclesiastes 7:7
Ecclesiastes 7:7, "Surely oppression makes a wise man mad; and a gift destroys the heart," speaks to the theme of human corruption and the perverse effects of injustice and bribery. The book of Ecclesiastes, traditionally attributed to King Solomon, is a philosophical reflection on the meaning of life and the human condition. It is set within the historical context of the wisdom literature of the Hebrew Bible, likely composed during the Persian period (5th century BCE).
In this verse, the Teacher (Qoheleth) of Ecclesiastes acknowledges the destructive impact of oppression on even the most wise and virtuous individuals. The term "mad" here doesn't necessarily imply a clinical mental illness but rather a state of distress, exasperation, or moral confusion that extreme injustice can induce. The wise person, who typically seeks order and understanding, becomes unhinged by the senselessness of oppression.
Additionally, the verse addresses the corrupting influence of gifts, suggesting that they can "destroy the heart," which is to say they can pervert one's intentions, loyalties, or judgment. In the historical context, gifts were often used to curry favor or influence decisions, a practice that could undermine justice and integrity. The heart, in Hebrew thought, is the center not only of emotions but also of will and intellect, indicating that the gift's influence is comprehensive, leading to moral decay.
Overall, Ecclesiastes 7:7 underscores the fragility of wisdom and righteousness in the face of societal corruption, warning against the erosion of moral principles through the experiences of oppression and the allure of ill-gotten gains.
*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: H6233
There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֹשֶׁק
Transliteration: ʻôsheq
Pronunciation: o'-shek
Description: from עָשַׁק; injury, fraud, (subjectively) distress, (concretely) unjust gain; cruelly, extortion, oppression, thing (deceitfully gotten). - Strong's Number: H2450
There are 133 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָכָם
Transliteration: châkâm
Pronunciation: khaw-kawm'
Description: from חָכַם; wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful); cunning (man), subtil, (un-), wise((hearted), man). - Strong's Number: H1984
There are 140 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: הָלַל
Transliteration: hâlal
Pronunciation: haw-lal'
Description: a primitive root; to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make ashow, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causatively, to celebrate; also to stultify; (make) boast (self), celebrate, commend, (deal, make), fool(-ish, -ly), glory, give (light), be (make, feign self) mad (against), give in marriage, (sing, be worthy of) praise, rage, renowned, shine. - Strong's Number: H4979
There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַתָּנָה
Transliteration: mattânâh
Pronunciation: mat-taw-naw'
Description: feminine of מַתָּן; a present; specifically (in a good sense), a sacrificial offering, (in a bad sense) a bribe; gift. - Strong's Number: H6
There are 14291 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָבַד
Transliteration: ʼâbad
Pronunciation: aw-bad'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to wander away, i.e. lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy); break, destroy(-uction), [phrase] not escape, fail, lose, (cause to, make) perish, spend, [idiom] and surely, take, be undone, [idiom] utterly, be void of, have no way to flee. - Strong's Number: H3820
There are 550 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לֵב
Transliteration: lêb
Pronunciation: labe
Description: a form of לֵבָב; the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything; [phrase] care for, comfortably, consent, [idiom] considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-), (hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart(-ed), [idiom] heed, [idiom] I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), [idiom] regard(-ed), [idiom] themselves, [idiom] unawares, understanding, [idiom] well, willingly, wisdom.