Ecclesiastes 2:13
Old Testament • 8 words with Strong's data
"Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness."
Word-by-Word Analysis
רָאָה
râʼâh
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
נְבָלָה
nᵉbâlâh
foolishness, i.e. (morally) wickedness; concretely, a crime; by extension, punishment
רָחַק
râchaq
to widen (in any direction), i.e. (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove (literally or figuratively, of place or relation)
אוֹר
ʼôwr
illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)
חֹשֶׁךְ
chôshek
the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness
Key Terms in This Verse
נְבָלָה nᵉbâlâh
foolishness, i.e. (morally) wickedness; concretely, a crime; by extension, punishment
Study H5039 →חֹשֶׁךְ chôshek
the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness
Study H2822 →רָחַק râchaq
to widen (in any direction), i.e. (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove (literally or figuratively, of place or relation)
Study H7368 →אוֹר ʼôwr
illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)
Study H216 →רָאָה râʼâh
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
Study H7200 →Cross References
For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun:
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.
The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.
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