Ecclesiastes 9:16
Old Testament • 12 words with Strong's data
"Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard."
Word-by-Word Analysis
אָמַר
ʼâmar
to say (used with great latitude)
טוֹב
ṭôwb
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good...
כֹּחַ
kôach
vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce); also (from its hardiness) a large lizard
אַךְ
ʼak
a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only
עָנִי
ʻânîy
depressed, in mind or circumstances
אִישׁ
ʼîysh
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
דָּבָר
dâbâr
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
שָׁמַע
shâmaʻ
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
Key Terms in This Verse
אַךְ ʼak
a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only
Study H389 →טוֹב ṭôwb
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the good, goo...
Study H2896 →כֹּחַ kôach
vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce); also (from its hardiness) a large lizard
Study H3581 →דָּבָר dâbâr
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
Study H1697 →שָׁמַע shâmaʻ
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
Study H8085 →אִישׁ ʼîysh
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
Study H376 →Cross References
Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.
A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.
A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.
The rich man’s wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.
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