Ecclesiastes 10:10
<< Ecclesiastes 10:10 >>
New International Version (©1984)
If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring success.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength. Wisdom has the advantage of giving success.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
If an ax is blunt and the edge isn't sharpened, then one has to use more strength. But wisdom prepares the way for success.

King James Bible
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.

American King James Version
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.

American Standard Version
If the iron be blunt, and one do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.

Bible in Basic English
If the iron has no edge, and he does not make it sharp, then he has to put out more strength; but wisdom makes things go well.

Douay-Rheims Bible
If the iron be blunt, and be not as before, but be made blunt, with much labour it shall be sharpened: and after industry shall follow wisdom.

Darby Bible Translation
If the iron be blunt, and one do not whet the edge, then must he apply more strength; but wisdom is profitable to give success.

English Revised Version
If the iron be blunt, and one do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.

Webster's Bible Translation
If the iron is blunt, and he doth not whet the edge, then must he use more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.

World English Bible
If the axe is blunt, and one doesn't sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.

Young's Literal Translation
If the iron hath been blunt, And he the face hath not sharpened, Then doth he increase strength, And wisdom is advantageous to make right.

Geneva Study Bible

If the iron is blunt, and he doth not whet the edge, then must he use more {f} strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.

(f) Without wisdom, whatever a man takes in hand, turns to his own hurt.

Wesley's Notes

10:10 Wisdom - As wisdom instructs a man in the smallest matters, so it is useful for a man's direction in all weighty affairs.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

10. iron . blunt-in "cleaving wood" (Ec 10:9), answering to the "fool set in dignity" (Ec 10:6), who wants sharpness. More force has then to be used in both cases; but "force" without judgment "endangers" one's self. Translate, "If one hath blunted his iron" [Maurer]. The preference of rash to judicious counsellors, which entailed the pushing of matters by force, proved to be the "hurt" of Rehoboam (1Ki 12:1-33).

wisdom is profitable to direct-to a prosperous issue. Instead of forcing matters by main "strength" to one's own hurt (Ec 9:16, 18).

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

10:4-10 Solomon appears to caution men not to seek redress in a hasty manner, nor to yield to pride and revenge. Do not, in a passion, quit thy post of duty; wait awhile, and thou wilt find that yielding pacifies great offences. Men are not preferred according to their merit. And those are often most forward to offer help, who are least aware of the difficulties, or the consequences. The same remark is applied to the church, or the body of Christ, that all the members should have the same care one for another.


Ecclesiastes 10:9 He who quarries stones may be hurt by them, and he who splits logs may be endangered by them.
Ecclesiastes 10:11 If the serpent bites before being charmed, there is no profit for the charmer. (NASB ©1995)

Advantage Advantageous Apply Ax Axe Blunt Direct Dull Edge Exert Face Forth Helps Increase Iron Makes Needed Profitable Right Sharp Sharpen Sharpened Skill Strength Succeed Success Use Whet Wisdom

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.

wisdom 10:15 9:15-17 Ge 41:33-39 Ex 18:19-23 1Ki 8:9 1Ch 12:32 2Ch 23:4-11 Mt 10:16 Ac 6:1-9 15:2 Ro 16:19 1Co 14:20 Eph 5:15-17 Col 4:5 Jas 1:5

Bible Gateway: Ecclesiastes Chapter 10 Verse 10 NIV ESV NKJV NLT KJV Message Amplified

Alphabetical: advantage and ax axe bring but does dull edge exert giving has he If is its more must needed not of sharpen skill strength success the then unsharpened will Wisdom

THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright ;© 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org.

International Standard Version Copyright © 1996-2008 by the ISV Foundation.

GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Quotations are used by permission. Copyright 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved.

OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 10:10 If the axe is blunt and one (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) Christian Bible Study Resources, Dictionary, Concordance and Search Tools

Ecclesiastes 10:10 Bible Software
Ecclesiastes 10:10 Biblia Paralela
Ecclesiastes 10:10 Chinese Bible
Ecclesiastes 10:10 French Bible
Ecclesiastes 10:10 German Bible
Ecclesiastes 10:10 Danish Bible
Ecclesiastes 10:10 Swedish Bible
Ecclesiastes 10:10 Norwegian Bible
Ecclesiastes 10:10 Multilingual Bible

Online Bible