What Does Ecclesiastes 10:10 Mean in the King James?
If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The hidden contrast is between force spent on a dull edge and wisdom that fits the work to the tool.
THE MEANING
When the edge is dull, more strength makes the work heavier without making it more effective. Wisdom brings the work into fit with the tool, so strength can meet the task directly.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The verse undoes the belief that harder exertion is always the answer: force against a dull edge multiplies labor without restoring its effectiveness.
THE ROOT
חָכְמָה
ḥokhmāh
GROWS FROM
חכם
ḥ-k-m
To be wise or skilled; practical discernment expressed in competent action.
Here חָכְמָה (ḥokhmāh, wisdom) is practical discernment that fits means to task. The verse places wisdom beside the sharpened edge: both keep labor from being wasted in force against a blunt instrument.
ALSO GROWS
ḥākām: A wise or skillful person.
חָכָם
The same root describes someone whose discernment works in practice, rather than knowledge that stays abstract.
ḥokhmat-lev: Wisdom or skill of heart.
חָכְמַת־לֵב
Exodus 31:6 uses this phrase for skilled artisans, linking wisdom with capable hands and the practical judgment needed to prepare a tool for its work.
THE PATTERN
Wisdom makes effort fruitful by fitting the means to the work.
Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.THE THREAD
Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.Ecclesiastes 9:16 uses the same Hebrew חָכְמָה (ḥokhmāh, wisdom) and places it directly against strength. It opens this verse further: wisdom can surpass force, even when others fail to recognize or heed it.
Read the SDV Bible.
Every verse has a Deep Dive in the app.
The iPhone Bible app with the Selah Decoded Version.
Does something in this reading look wrong? Tell us