Surely
The word "surely" in this context serves as an emphatic assertion, indicating a truth that is undeniable and universally acknowledged. In Hebrew, the word used is "כִּי" (ki), which often introduces a statement of fact. This sets the tone for the verse, underscoring the certainty of the consequences that follow. It reminds us of the unchanging nature of God's moral laws and the inevitable outcomes of human actions.

extortion
The term "extortion" refers to the act of obtaining something, especially money, through force or threats. The Hebrew word here is "עֹשֶׁק" (osheq), which conveys oppression and unjust gain. Historically, extortion was a common practice among corrupt leaders and officials in ancient times, often leading to societal decay. This word warns against the moral decay that accompanies the pursuit of wealth through unjust means, highlighting the importance of integrity.

turns a wise man into a fool
This phrase illustrates the transformative and destructive power of sin. The Hebrew word for "wise" is "חָכָם" (chakam), denoting someone who is skilled in living according to God's principles. Conversely, "fool" is "כְּסִיל" (kesil), representing someone who is morally deficient and lacks understanding. The transformation from wisdom to folly through extortion underscores the corrupting influence of sin, even on those who are otherwise discerning. It serves as a cautionary tale about the vulnerability of human nature to moral compromise.

and a bribe
The word "bribe" in Hebrew is "שֹׁחַד" (shochad), which refers to a gift given with the intention of influencing the recipient's actions or decisions. Bribery was a prevalent issue in ancient judicial systems, often leading to injustice and the perversion of truth. This term highlights the insidious nature of bribery, which undermines justice and erodes trust within a community.

corrupts the heart
The phrase "corrupts the heart" speaks to the internal damage caused by accepting bribes. The Hebrew word for "corrupts" is "יְאַבֵּד" (ye'aved), meaning to destroy or ruin. "Heart" in Hebrew is "לֵב" (lev), which encompasses the mind, will, and emotions. This phrase indicates that bribery not only affects external actions but also deteriorates one's inner moral compass. It serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of guarding one's heart against influences that lead away from righteousness.

(7) Surely.--Rather, For. This change is required not only by literalness, but by the fact that the verse comes in a series of paragraphs, each commencing with the word "better," as does the next verse. This verse therefore cannot introduce a new subject, but must be connected with what has gone before. But it is so hard to do this satisfactorily, that Delitzsch conjectures that a line may have dropped out, and that this verse may have begun with "Better: e.g., "Better is a little with righteousness, &c," as in Proverbs 16:8. If this be thought too strong a remedy, we may explain the connection, that by listening to faithful rebuke rather than to the flattery of fools, a ruler may be checked in a course of oppression or corruption which threatens to undermine his understanding. As we understand the passage, he becomes mad who commits, not who suffers, the oppression.

Verse 7. - The verse begins with ki, which usually introduces a reason for what has preceded; but the difficulty in finding the connection has led to various explanations and evasions. The Authorized Version boldly separates the verse from what has gone before, and makes a new paragraph beginning with "surely:" Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad. Delitzsch supposes that something has been lost between vers. 6 and 7, and he supplies the gap by a clause borrowed from Proverbs 16:8, "Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right;" and then the sentence proceeds naturally, "For oppression," etc. But this is scarcely satisfactory, as it is mere conjecture wholly unsupported by external evidence. The Vulgate leaves ki untranslated; the Septuagint has ὅτι. Looking at the various paragraphs, all beginning with rob, rendered "better," viz. vers. 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, we must regard the present verse as connected with what precedes, a new subject being introduced at ver. 8. Putting ver. 6 in a parenthesis as merely presenting an illustration of the talk of fools, we may see in ver. 7 a confirmation of the first part of ver. 5. The rebuke of the wise is useful even in the case of rulers who are tempted -to excess and injustice. The "oppression" in the text is the exercise of irresponsible power, that which a man inflicts, not what he suffers; this makes him "mad," even though he be in other respects and under other circumstances wise; he ceases to be directed by reason and principle, and needs the correction of faithful rebuke. The Septuagint and Vulgate, rendering respectively συκοφαντία and calumnia, imply that the evil which distracts the wise man is false accusation. And a gift destroyeth the heart. The admission of bribery is likewise an evil that calls for wise rebuke. So Proverbs 15:27, "He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live." The phrase, "destroys the heart," means corrupts the understanding, deprives a man of wisdom, makes him no better than a fool (comp. Hosea 4:11, where the same effect is attributed to whoredom and drunkenness). The Septuagint has, ἀπόλλυσι τὴν καρδίαν εὐγενείας αὐτοῦ, "destroys the heart of his nobility;" the Vulgate, perdet robur cordis illius, "will destroy the strength of his heart." The interpretation given above seems to be the most reasonable way of dealing with the existing text; but Nowack and Volck adopt Delitzsch's emendation.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Surely
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

extortion
הָעֹ֖שֶׁק (hā·‘ō·šeq)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6233: Injury, fraud, distress, unjust gain

turns a wise man
חָכָ֑ם (ḥā·ḵām)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2450: Wise

into a fool,
יְהוֹלֵ֣ל (yə·hō·w·lêl)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1984: To shine

and a bribe
מַתָּנָֽה׃ (mat·tā·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4979: A present, a sacrificial offering, a bribe

corrupts
וִֽיאַבֵּ֥ד (wî·’ab·bêḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6: To wander away, lose oneself, to perish

the heart.
לֵ֖ב (lêḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre


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OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 7:7 Surely extortion makes the wise man foolish (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.)