Ecclesiastes 7:16

KJV

Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?

KJV (with Strong's)

Be not righteous {H6662} over much {H7235}; neither make thyself over {H3148} wise {H2449}: why shouldest thou destroy {H8074} thyself?

Complete Jewish Bible

So don't be overly righteous or overly wise; why should you disappoint yourself?

Berean Standard Bible

Do not be overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself?

American Standard Version

Be not righteous overmuch; neither make thyself overwise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ecclesiastes 7:16 issues a potent warning from Qoheleth, the Preacher, against the perils of pursuing righteousness and wisdom to an extreme that becomes counterproductive and self-destructive. It is not a call to abandon virtue but rather a profound caution against self-righteousness, legalism, and intellectual arrogance, which, despite their seemingly noble aims, can lead to spiritual and relational ruin by fostering pride and an unbalanced approach to life and faith. The verse advocates for humility and moderation, recognizing the limits of human striving and the dangers of exceeding divine boundaries.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ecclesiastes 7:16 is situated within a broader section of Qoheleth's discourse (chapters 7-8) that delves into the complexities and paradoxes of wisdom and folly in a fallen world "under the sun." This chapter offers a series of contrasts and comparisons, weighing the value of various experiences and attitudes. Preceding verses discuss the value of a good name, sorrow over laughter, and the end of a matter over its beginning, all pointing towards a sober, realistic approach to life. Verse 16 specifically addresses the potential for even good pursuits like righteousness and wisdom to be distorted when taken to an extreme, leading to a destructive outcome. It serves as a corrective to any notion that more of a good thing is always better, highlighting the need for balance and discernment in all areas of life, a recurring theme in wisdom literature.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Ecclesiastes is traditionally attributed to King Solomon (Qoheleth), writing from the perspective of one who has experienced the heights of wisdom, wealth, and power, yet found them ultimately "vanity" without God. In ancient Israel, righteousness (`tsaddîyq`) was understood as conforming to God's covenantal laws and moral standards, while wisdom (`châkam`) encompassed practical skill, moral insight, and deep understanding of life's principles. However, there was also a cultural awareness of the dangers of self-exaltation and human pride. The warning against being "over much" righteous or "over" wise speaks to a potential for legalism or intellectual arrogance that was understood even then. This was not a critique of God's law or true wisdom, but rather a caution against a human tendency to pervert these virtues into instruments of self-justification or intellectual superiority, which could alienate one from God and community.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Ecclesiastes and the broader wisdom tradition. Foremost is the theme of **Balance and Moderation**, emphasizing that even virtues like righteousness and wisdom can become detrimental when pursued without humility or discernment. It underscores the danger of **Human Pride and Self-Reliance**, particularly in spiritual and intellectual matters. Being "righteous over much" often signifies a self-righteousness that judges others and relies on one's own perceived merit rather than God's grace, a concept echoed in the New Testament's critique of the Pharisees (e.g., [Luke 18:9-14](/luke/18-9 "Luke 18:9-14 - Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector")). Similarly, being "over wise" points to intellectual arrogance, where human reason is elevated above divine revelation or humble learning, a pitfall warned against in [Proverbs 3:7](/proverbs/3-7 "Proverbs 3:7 - Do not be wise in your own eyes"). The ultimate consequence, "destroy thyself," highlights the theme of **Self-Destruction** that results from such imbalance and pride, leading to spiritual desolation, isolation, or burnout.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Righteous (Hebrew, _tsaddîyq'_):** From H6662, meaning "just" or "lawful," referring to one who conforms to a standard of rightness, especially in a moral or ethical sense before God. In this context, "righteous over much" suggests an excessive or distorted form of righteousness, perhaps legalism or self-righteousness, where one's adherence to rules becomes a source of pride or judgment rather than genuine godliness.
* **Wise (Hebrew, _châkam'_):** From H2449, a primitive root meaning "to be wise (in mind, word or act)." It encompasses intellectual understanding, practical skill, and moral discernment. To be "over wise" implies an arrogance in one's own intellect, a reliance on human reason to the exclusion of divine wisdom, or a belief that one possesses all knowledge, leading to intellectual pride or cynicism.
* **Destroy (Hebrew, _shâmêm'_):** From H8074, a primitive root meaning "to stun," "devastate," or "stupefy." It can imply being amazed, astonished, or becoming desolate and wasted. In this verse, "destroy thyself" refers not necessarily to physical death, but to a profound internal and spiritual ruin, desolation, or alienation that results from the extreme and unbalanced pursuit of righteousness or wisdom. It suggests a loss of joy, peace, and genuine relationship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Be not righteous over much":** This admonition warns against an extreme or distorted form of righteousness. It does not condemn genuine righteousness, which is a virtue, but rather the excess that leads to self-righteousness, legalism, or an overly critical and judgmental spirit. Such an attitude often stems from a misplaced confidence in one's own ability to perfectly adhere to standards, leading to pride and a lack of grace towards oneself and others.
* **"neither make thyself over wise":** Parallel to the first clause, this cautions against an excessive or arrogant display of wisdom. It's not about avoiding knowledge or understanding, but about guarding against intellectual pride, cynicism, or a reliance solely on human intellect that dismisses divine revelation or humble learning. Being "over wise" can lead to isolation, an inability to learn from others, and a loss of wonder or faith.
* **"why shouldest thou destroy thyself?":** This rhetorical question serves as a powerful warning about the inevitable consequence of such extremes. The "destruction" is not necessarily physical, but rather a spiritual, emotional, and relational desolation. Self-righteousness and intellectual arrogance lead to burnout, isolation, despair, and a loss of genuine connection with God and community, effectively ruining one's own well-being and spiritual vitality.

#### Literary Devices
Ecclesiastes 7:16 employs several potent **literary devices** to convey its message. The primary device is **Admonition**, a direct and concise warning delivered in a proverbial style, characteristic of wisdom literature. This direct address engages the reader personally. The verse also utilizes **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, where the two clauses "Be not righteous over much" and "neither make thyself over wise" express similar concepts of harmful excess, reinforcing the central message through repetition of structure. The phrase "over much" (Hebrew: `râbâh`) and "over" (Hebrew: `yôwthêr`) serve as **Intensifiers**, highlighting the problematic nature of the *degree* rather than the quality of the virtue. Finally, the verse concludes with a powerful **Rhetorical Question**, "why shouldest thou destroy thyself?" This question is not meant to be answered literally but to provoke thought and emphasize the dire, self-inflicted consequences of ignoring the preceding warnings, making the listener confront the absurdity and danger of such extremes. There is also an element of **Irony**, as the pursuit of seemingly good qualities (righteousness, wisdom) leads to a destructive outcome when perverted by pride.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ecclesiastes 7:16 offers a crucial theological insight into the nature of human striving and the dangers of pride, even when cloaked in virtuous pursuits. It underscores that true righteousness and wisdom are gifts from God, to be received and exercised with humility, not as achievements to be paraded or tools for self-exaltation. The verse implicitly critiques any system, religious or philosophical, that fosters an unhealthy focus on human performance or intellectual superiority, warning that such approaches ultimately lead to spiritual barrenness and isolation. It aligns with the broader biblical narrative that emphasizes dependence on God's grace and wisdom over human self-sufficiency.

* [Proverbs 3:7](/proverbs/3-7 "Proverbs 3:7 - Do not be wise in your own eyes")
* [Romans 10:2-3](/romans/10-2 "Romans 10:2-3 - Zeal without knowledge, seeking their own righteousness")
* [1 Corinthians 8:1](/1_corinthians/8-1 "1 Corinthians 8:1 - Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For the modern believer, Ecclesiastes 7:16 serves as a timeless and vital reminder to cultivate genuine humility in all aspects of life, especially in one's spiritual and intellectual pursuits. It cautions against the insidious trap of legalism, where adherence to rules becomes an end in itself, leading to a judgmental spirit towards others and an impossible burden for oneself, ultimately draining joy and replacing grace with performance. Similarly, it warns against intellectual arrogance, where knowledge becomes a source of pride rather than a means to worship God and serve others, potentially leading to cynicism or a closed mind. This verse calls us to a balanced, grace-filled approach to faith, recognizing that true righteousness comes from God, not from our own efforts, and true wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord, not with human cleverness. It encourages us to pursue spiritual growth and knowledge with open hearts and minds, always grounded in love and humility, lest our pursuit of virtue becomes a path to self-inflicted spiritual desolation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might you be striving to be "righteous over much" or "over wise," and how might this be manifesting as pride or judgment?**
* **How can a focus on external religious performance or intellectual superiority lead to spiritual burnout or isolation?**
* **What does genuine humility look like in your pursuit of spiritual disciplines and knowledge?**
* **How does understanding God's grace help you avoid the self-destructive tendencies warned against in this verse?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse discourage pursuing righteousness or wisdom?**

Answer: No, Ecclesiastes 7:16 does not discourage the pursuit of genuine righteousness or wisdom, which are highly valued throughout Scripture. Instead, it warns against the *excessive* or *distorted* forms of these virtues. "Righteous over much" refers to self-righteousness, legalism, or an overly critical spirit that judges others and relies on one's own merit. "Over wise" refers to intellectual arrogance, cynicism, or a reliance on human reason that excludes divine wisdom. The verse is a caution against pride and imbalance, not against virtue itself.

**What does "destroy thyself" mean in this context?**

Answer: In Ecclesiastes 7:16, "destroy thyself" (Hebrew: `shâmêm`) refers primarily to a spiritual, emotional, and relational desolation rather than physical death. It implies a profound internal ruin, a loss of joy, peace, and genuine connection with God and others. This self-inflicted destruction can manifest as burnout from striving for impossible standards, isolation due to a judgmental attitude, despair from failing to meet one's own lofty expectations, or a hardened heart that cannot receive grace.

**How can someone be "over righteous" in a practical sense?**

Answer: Being "over righteous" can manifest in several ways. Practically, it means becoming legalistic, focusing rigidly on rules and external performance while neglecting the spirit of the law, which is love and grace. It can lead to self-righteousness, where one believes they are superior to others based on their perceived piety, often resulting in a critical, judgmental, or unforgiving attitude. This can also lead to spiritual pride, hypocrisy, and an inability to extend grace to oneself or others, ultimately hindering genuine spiritual growth and community.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ecclesiastes 7:16 finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Preacher's warning against self-righteousness and intellectual arrogance highlights the human tendency to pervert good things into destructive idols. Jesus, however, perfectly embodies true righteousness and wisdom without any trace of pride or excess. He was the only one truly righteous, yet He did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance ([Mark 2:17](/mark/2-17 "Mark 2:17 - Jesus came to call sinners")). His life perfectly demonstrated a balance of grace and truth, never falling into the legalism of the Pharisees, whom He often rebuked for their "righteousness over much" that led them to condemn others and reject God's true righteousness ([Matthew 23](/matthew/23 "Matthew 23 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees")). Jesus' wisdom was not human cleverness but divine truth, freely offered to the humble ([Matthew 11:25](/matthew/11-25 "Matthew 11:25 - Jesus praises the Father for revealing truth to the humble")). In Christ, we find true righteousness, not by our own efforts or adherence to a rigid code, but by faith in Him ([Philippians 3:9](/philippians/3-9 "Philippians 3:9 - Righteousness from God by Faith")). He is our wisdom from God ([1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ, Our Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption")), freeing us from the need to be "over wise" in our own eyes. Through Him, the self-destruction warned against by Qoheleth is averted, as we find true life, peace, and balance in His grace and humility, rather than in our own flawed striving.

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

Romans 12:3

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think [of himself] more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Proverbs 25:16

¶ Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.

Colossians 2:18

Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

1 Corinthians 3:18

¶ Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

Colossians 2:23

Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

Genesis 3:6

¶ And when the woman saw that the tree [was] good for food, and that it [was] pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make [one] wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

Ecclesiastes 12:12

And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books [there is] no end; and much study [is] a weariness of the flesh.