There is some difference of opinion among scholars over how Ecclesiastes 7:11 should be understood. That is, should we understand the Teacher to be comparing wisdom with wealth: “Wisdom is as good as an inheritance…”[1] Others like the NET and the NIV translators say: “Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing,” or “Having wisdom is better than an inheritance” (CEV), and “Wise use of possessions is good” (ISV). Yet, none of these seem to satisfy in light of how the Teacher has spoken thus far about wisdom (cp. Ecclesiastes 2:13; 4:13; 7:7). Moreover, if he wished to express how wisdom excels wealth (cp. CEV), why is there nothing else said in the text to support the idea (e.g. Proverbs 8:11)? The KJV like most others[2] says: “Wisdom is good with an inheritance,” and I think this is how we should understand the text,[3] but what does the Teacher mean?
Unless the Teacher had begun a new thought, and he hasn’t, we need to keep in mind that he is still discussing how one acquires and retains a good name (Ecclesiastes 7:1). A good name, if it is possessed at all, is discovered in the end of a matter, be it the end of one’s life or the end of one’s labor, and it always involves having to endure some sorrow in the process (Ecclesiastes 7:1-4). The fool seeks to influence the wise by getting him to oppress others (Ecclesiastes 7:5-7; cp. Proverbs 9:13-18) in the process of obtaining wealth. Moreover, this usually has something to do with the man’s dissatisfaction over the Lord’s table (Ecclesiastes 7:8-10), which translates to the circumstances the Lord had caused the wise man to face during his lifetime (cp. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8; Genesis 3:14-19). If the fool can get the wise to desire something better than what he has, and shows him a quick and sure means of doing that, then the wise man will forfeit his good name in process, which the Teacher concludes is vanity.
Nevertheless, the Teacher now considers wisdom with an inheritance. That is, what if the wise man doesn’t have to labor to acquire wealth? What if the table of the Lord for the wise man included wealth by inheritance? What difference would it make? The Teacher tells us that wisdom is good with an inheritance, and thereby is an advantage to those who see the sun, meaning those who are alive on earth (Ecclesiastes 7:11).
When wisdom and riches meet in one man, it is a happy conjunction, because wisdom without riches wants opportunities and instruments for doing that good in the world, which it is willing and desirous of doing. So, riches without wisdom is like a sword in a madman’s hand, and an occasion of much sin and mischief both to himself and others. [Benson]
In verse-12, the Teacher tells us that wisdom is a defense (H6738) and money is a defense (H6738). This same Hebrew word is translated shadow (H6738) in the Psalmist’s description of the Lord’s protection “shadow of your wings” (Psalm 17:8; 36:7; 57:1; 63:7). While both wisdom and wealth offer protection to those who possess them, only wisdom offers life (Ecclesiastes 7:12), and by that the Teacher is referring to the general promise of a long life here on earth (Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:1-3).
In Ecclesiastes 7:13-14 the Teacher calls upon his readers to consider the work of the Lord. While we may understand that we live in cycles (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8), we cannot by that come to understand how the Lord makes it all work together for good (Romans 8:28). It is impossible, without revelation directly from the Lord, to come to know what the he is doing, when things don’t appear clear to us (Ecclesiastes 7:13; cp. Job 28:12-23; Isaiah 55:8-9). Therefore, it is enough for us to take joy in our prosperity, and in the day of adversity consider it, and know that the Lord is behind it all. His table is good, because he tells us that he works out all things, both good and evil, for the benefit of those who trust him (Romans 8:28).
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[1] See: ASV; Darby; GNB; GW; RV; TLV; WEB.
[2] See: BBE; Bishops; LXX; DRB; ESV; ECB; Geneva; HRB; JPS; JUB; LEB; LITV; MKJV, NAS77; NASB; Webster; TS2009; YLT.
[3] See: Pulpit Commentary; Keil & Delitzsch;
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