Ecclesiastes 7:11

KJV

¶ Wisdom [is] good with an inheritance: and [by it there is] profit to them that see the sun.

KJV (with Strong's)

Wisdom {H2451} is good {H2896} with an inheritance {H5159}: and by it there is profit {H3148} to them that see {H7200} the sun {H8121}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Wisdom is good, along with possessions, an advantage to all who see the sun.

Berean Standard Bible

Wisdom, like an inheritance, is good, and it benefits those who see the sun.

American Standard Version

Wisdom is as good as an inheritance; yea, more excellent is it for them that see the sun.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ecclesiastes 7:11 profoundly asserts that wisdom, when combined with an inheritance or material wealth, yields a superior and lasting advantage. This verse highlights wisdom's indispensable capacity to enhance the utility and benefit of earthly possessions, ensuring a profitable and well-guided life for those who possess both. It contrasts with the potential futility of wealth alone, underscoring wisdom's enduring value as a practical guide throughout one's entire earthly existence, providing genuine gain where other pursuits often fall short.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ecclesiastes 7:11 is strategically placed within Qoheleth's discourse (chapters 7-8) as he transitions from general observations on life's enigmas and the pervasive vanity "under the sun" to more direct, prescriptive wisdom. The preceding verses (Ecclesiastes 7:1-10) establish a series of contrasts, asserting the superiority of a good name over precious oil, the house of mourning over the house of feasting, and the end of a matter over its beginning. Qoheleth has just declared that "wisdom is better than strength" (Ecclesiastes 7:19) and "wisdom is a defense even as money is a defense" (Ecclesiastes 7:12), setting the stage for a direct comparison of wisdom's tangible benefits, particularly in relation to material prosperity. This verse specifically follows a declaration that wisdom is better than folly and light better than darkness, further affirming wisdom's practical advantages and anticipating its role as a protective and life-giving force.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, an inheritance (`nachălâh`) was primarily associated with land, which served as the foundational source of wealth, security, and identity for a family. Land was considered a divine gift, passed down through generations, and its preservation was paramount for a family's continuity and well-being. The culture placed high value on both material prosperity (often seen as a blessing from God) and wisdom (understood as practical skill, discernment, and moral insight derived from observing God's created order and divine law). Qoheleth, writing from a position of profound experience and observation, addresses a society where inherited wealth and status were significant, yet often fraught with challenges and potential for misuse. The verse speaks to the common human experience of managing resources and navigating life's complexities, suggesting that the mere possession of wealth is insufficient without the accompanying wisdom to steward it effectively and derive true, lasting benefit.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Ecclesiastes. Firstly, it reinforces the **Superiority of Wisdom**, a recurring motif throughout the book, positing that wisdom is not merely abstract knowledge but a practical, beneficial asset that even surpasses or profoundly enhances material wealth. Secondly, it touches upon the theme of **Profit and Advantage (`yithron`)**, a concept Qoheleth frequently questions in relation to human toil, famously asking, "What [profit] does a man have from all his toil and from the striving of his heart with which he toils under the sun?" ([Ecclesiastes 1:3](/ecclesiastes/1-3 "Ecclesiastes 1:3 - The Futility of Toil")). Here, wisdom is presented as a genuine and enduring "profit" that transcends the fleeting nature of other earthly gains. Thirdly, the phrase "to them that see the sun" highlights the pervasive theme of **Life Under the Sun**, a common idiom in Ecclesiastes for earthly existence, as seen in other passages like when Qoheleth describes "all the works that are done [under the sun](/ecclesiastes/1-14 "Ecclesiastes 1:14 - All is Vanity")". This emphasizes that wisdom's benefits are not merely theoretical or eschatological but are experienced tangibly throughout one's entire lifespan, providing guidance and advantage in the practical realities of daily life.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wisdom (Hebrew, _chokmâh'_):** From the root `chakam`, meaning "to be wise," this term refers to practical skill, discernment, and insight, particularly in navigating life's complexities and making sound judgments. In Ecclesiastes, `chokmâh` is often presented as the ability to live skillfully and successfully in the world, understanding its rhythms and God's order, rather than merely intellectual knowledge. Here, it is the essential quality that elevates and maximizes the value of an inheritance.
* **Inheritance (Hebrew, _nachălâh'_):** This word signifies something inherited, typically land or property, which was the primary form of wealth and security in ancient Israel. It represents material possessions, wealth, or even social standing passed down through generations. The verse suggests that while an inheritance itself can be "good," its true goodness and utility are unlocked and amplified when combined with wisdom.
* **Profit (Hebrew, _yôwthêr'_):** An active participle meaning "redundant" or "over and above," hence "profit" or "advantage." This is a key term in Ecclesiastes, where Qoheleth often questions what "profit" there is in human labor (e.g., [Ecclesiastes 1:3](/ecclesiastes/1-3 "Ecclesiastes 1:3 - What Profit?")). Here, `yôwthêr` indicates a true, lasting benefit or gain that wisdom provides, contrasting with the often fleeting or illusory "profits" of other earthly pursuits.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Wisdom is good with an inheritance":** This clause establishes a synergistic relationship between wisdom and material wealth. It does not diminish the inherent value of an inheritance but rather asserts that wisdom profoundly enhances it. An inheritance, whether material wealth, property, or even social standing, gains a deeper, more enduring "goodness" when accompanied by the discernment and practical skill that wisdom provides. Without wisdom, an inheritance can be squandered, become a source of trouble, or fail to yield its full potential; with it, its benefits are maximized and sustained for true well-being.
* **"and by it there is profit":** The "it" here unequivocally refers to wisdom. This phrase explicitly states that wisdom itself yields a tangible and lasting advantage or gain. This "profit" is not merely financial but encompasses a broader sense of benefit, well-being, and successful navigation of life's challenges. Wisdom provides the insight to manage resources, make prudent decisions, avoid pitfalls, and discern true value, thereby securing a lasting advantage that transcends fleeting circumstances.
* **"to them that see the sun.":** This is a common and evocative idiom in Ecclesiastes, referring to all who live and experience life on earth. It emphasizes the universal and lifelong applicability of wisdom's benefits. The "profit" of wisdom is not limited to a specific period or circumstance but extends throughout one's entire earthly existence, providing guidance and advantage in all seasons and realities of life "under the sun," highlighting its practical and enduring relevance for humanity.

#### Literary Devices
Ecclesiastes 7:11 employs several key literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Juxtaposition**, placing "wisdom" directly alongside "inheritance" to highlight their combined efficacy. While both are acknowledged as "good," the verse implies that wisdom elevates the goodness of the inheritance, suggesting that one without the other is incomplete or less effective in yielding true "profit." This creates a powerful statement about the synergistic relationship between spiritual insight and material reality. Furthermore, the phrase "to them that see the sun" is a classic **Idiom** in Ecclesiastes, serving as a **Metonymy** for human life or earthly existence. It grounds the abstract concept of wisdom's profit in the tangible reality of daily living, emphasizing its universal and enduring benefit for all people throughout their lifespan. The verse also utilizes a subtle form of **Understatement** by simply stating "wisdom is good with an inheritance," subtly implying that without wisdom, an inheritance might not be truly "good" or beneficial in the long run, or might even become a burden.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ecclesiastes 7:11 offers a profound theological insight into the nature of true prosperity and the stewardship of resources. It challenges the common human tendency to equate material wealth with ultimate good, instead asserting that the enduring "profit" comes from wisdom. This aligns with a broader biblical theology that consistently values wisdom above material possessions, seeing it as a divine gift that enables righteous living, prudent stewardship, and discernment in a complex world. Wisdom, in this context, is not merely intellectual prowess but a moral and spiritual discernment that guides one's actions and decisions, ensuring that an inheritance becomes a blessing rather than a burden. It speaks to the stewardship principle, where resources are to be managed with divine insight for lasting benefit, for God's glory, and for the well-being of others.

* [Proverbs 3:13-15](/proverbs/3-13-15 "Proverbs 3:13-15 - The Blessings of Wisdom")
* [Proverbs 8:10-11](/proverbs/8-10-11 "Proverbs 8:10-11 - Wisdom Better Than Gold")
* [Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19-21 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Lay Up Treasures in Heaven")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ecclesiastes 7:11 provides a timeless principle for navigating life's resources and priorities in a world often consumed by the pursuit of material gain. It reminds us that while material blessings, whether inherited or acquired, can be beneficial, their true and lasting value is unlocked and sustained only when coupled with wisdom. This calls believers to a posture of diligent pursuit of wisdom, recognizing that it is the ultimate asset for prudent stewardship, discerning decision-making, and purposeful living. It challenges the common notion that wealth alone guarantees security or happiness, instead pointing to the indispensable role of divine insight in transforming possessions into instruments for good, for God's glory, and for the benefit of others. In a culture often obsessed with accumulation, this verse redirects our focus to the cultivation of character and understanding, which truly yield lifelong profit and enable us to live wisely "under the sun."

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does wisdom transform the way you view and manage your current resources, whether financial, relational, or spiritual?**
* **In what ways might an inheritance or significant material gain become a burden or a source of folly if not accompanied by wisdom?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate wisdom in your life, recognizing its lifelong "profit" and its ability to enhance all your earthly endeavors?**

### FAQ
**Does Ecclesiastes 7:11 mean that an inheritance is bad without wisdom?**

Answer: Not necessarily "bad," but certainly less beneficial and potentially problematic. The verse states that "Wisdom is good *with* an inheritance," implying that wisdom enhances and maximizes the goodness of an inheritance. Without wisdom, an inheritance can be squandered, lead to foolish decisions, or become a source of worry and strife, as Qoheleth often observes about the fleeting nature of earthly pursuits "under the sun." For instance, he laments the toil that one leaves to another who may be foolish ([Ecclesiastes 2:18-19](/ecclesiastes/2-18-19 "Ecclesiastes 2:18-19 - To Whom Will I Leave My Toil?")). Wisdom provides the discernment to manage resources prudently, invest wisely, and use wealth for beneficial purposes, thus securing a lasting "profit" that mere possessions cannot guarantee. It ensures that the inheritance serves its true purpose and does not become a source of vanity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ecclesiastes 7:11, with its emphasis on wisdom's enduring profit and its ability to enhance earthly blessings, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who is the very embodiment of divine wisdom. While Qoheleth sought wisdom "under the sun," the New Testament reveals that "Christ is the power of God and the [wisdom of God](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ, the Wisdom of God")" (1 Corinthians 1:24). In Him are "hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - In Christ Are Hidden All Treasures of Wisdom")). The inheritance spoken of in Ecclesiastes, whether material or otherwise, pales in comparison to the spiritual inheritance believers receive in Christ—an inheritance that is "imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you" ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Imperishable Inheritance")). This eternal inheritance is not merely "good with wisdom," but is *secured* by the perfect wisdom of God in Christ, who perfectly managed His earthly life and sacrificial death to secure our spiritual riches. Through faith in Him, we gain not only the ultimate inheritance but also the indwelling Spirit of wisdom, enabling us to live a life that truly profits, understanding that true gain is found in knowing Him and living according to His will, far surpassing any earthly "profit to them that see the sun." As believers, we are called to walk "in [wisdom toward outsiders](/colossians/4-5 "Colossians 4:5 - Walk in Wisdom"), making the best use of the time."

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ecclesiastes 11:7

¶ Truly the light [is] sweet, and a pleasant [thing it is] for the eyes to behold the sun:

1 Timothy 6:17

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

1 Timothy 6:19

Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Ecclesiastes 2:13

Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.

Proverbs 8:10

Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.

Proverbs 8:11

For wisdom [is] better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

Luke 16:8

And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.