Ecclesiastes 7:3
NASB Lexicon
NASB ©HebrewStrong'sOrigin
Sorrowכַּ֖עַס
(ka·'as)
3708a: vexation, angerfrom kaas
is betterטֹ֥וב
(to·vv)
2896a: pleasant, agreeable, goodfrom tob
than 
 
4480: froma prim. preposition
laughter,מִשְּׂחֹ֑ק
(mis·se·chok;)
7814: laughter, derision, sportfrom sachaq
For when a faceפָּנִ֖ים
(pa·nim)
6440: face, facesfrom panah
is sadבְרֹ֥עַ
(ve·ro·a')
7455: badness, evilof uncertain derivation
a heartלֵֽב׃
(lev.)
3820: inner man, mind, will, heartfrom the same as lebab
may be happy.יִ֥יטַב
(yi·tav)
3190: to be good, well, glad, or pleasinga prim. root


















KJV Lexicon
Sorrow
ka`ac  (kah'-as)
vexation -- anger, angry, grief, indignation, provocation, provoking, sore, sorrow, spite, wrath.
is better
towb  (tobe)
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun
than laughter
schowq  (sekh-oke')
laughter (in merriment or defiance) -- derision, laughter(-ed to scorn, -ing), mocked, sport.
for by the sadness
roa`  (ro'-ah)
badness (as marring), physically or morally -- be so bad, badness, (be so) evil, naughtiness, sadness, sorrow, wickedness.
of the countenance
paniym  (paw-neem')
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.)
the heart
leb  (labe)
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect
is made better
yatab  (yaw-tab')
to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)
Parallel Verses
New American Standard Bible
Sorrow is better than laughter, For when a face is sad a heart may be happy.

King James Bible
Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Grief is better than laughter, for when a face is sad, a heart may be glad.

International Standard Version
Sorrow is better than laughter, because the heart is made better through trouble.

NET Bible
Sorrow is better than laughter, because sober reflection is good for the heart.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Sorrow is better than laughter because, in spite of a sad face, the heart can be joyful.

King James 2000 Bible
Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
Links
Ecclesiastes 7:3
Ecclesiastes 7:3 NIV
Ecclesiastes 7:3 NLT
Ecclesiastes 7:3 ESV
Ecclesiastes 7:3 NASB
Ecclesiastes 7:3 KJV

Ecclesiastes 7:2
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