Ecclesiastes 12:11 The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails--given by one shepherd.

◄ Ecclesiastes 12:11 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails--given by one shepherd.

English Standard Version
The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd.

New American Standard Bible
The words of wise men are like goads, and masters of these collections are like well-driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd.

King James Bible
The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The sayings of the wise are like goads, and those from masters of collections are like firmly embedded nails. The sayings are given by one Shepherd.

International Standard Version
Sayings from the wise are like cattle prods and well fastened nails; this masterful collection was given by one shepherd.

American Standard Version
The words of the wise are as goads; and as nails well fastened are the words of the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.

Douay-Rheims Bible
The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails deeply fastened in, which by the counsel of masters are given from one shepherd.

Darby Bible Translation
The words of the wise are as goads, and the collections of them as nails fastened in: they are given from one shepherd.

Young's Literal Translation
Words of the wise are as goads, and as fences planted by the masters of collections, they have been given by one shepherd.

Cross References

Acts 2:37
Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said to Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brothers, what shall we do?

Ezra 9:8
And now for a little space grace has been showed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage.

Proverbs 1:6
To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

Proverbs 22:17
Bow down your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge.

Ecclesiastes 7:5
It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.

Ecclesiastes 10:12
The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.

Isaiah 22:23
And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father's house.

Jump to Previous

Assemblies Collected Collections Composed Fastened Fences Firmly Fixed Goads Grouped Guide Hammer Masters Nails Planted Pointed Sayings Shepherd Together Wise Words

Jump to Next

Assemblies Collected Collections Composed Fastened Fences Firmly Fixed Goads Grouped Guide Hammer Masters Nails Planted Pointed Sayings Shepherd Together Wise Words

Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

12:8-14 Solomon repeats his text, VANITY OF VANITIES, ALL IS VANITY. These are the words of one that could speak by dear-bought experience of the vanity of the world, which can do nothing to ease men of the burden of sin. As he considered the worth of souls, he gave good heed to what he spake and wrote; words of truth will always be acceptable words. The truths of God are as goads to such as are dull and draw back, and nails to such as are wandering and draw aside; means to establish the heart, that we may never sit loose to our duty, nor be taken from it. The Shepherd of Israel is the Giver of inspired wisdom. Teachers and guides all receive their communications from him. The title is applied in Scripture to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The prophets sought diligently, what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. To write many books was not suited to the shortness of human life, and would be weariness to the writer, and to the reader; and then was much more so to both than it is now. All things would be vanity and vexation, except they led to this conclusion, That to fear God, and keep his commandments, is the whole of man. The fear of God includes in it all the affections of the soul towards him, which are produced by the Holy Spirit. There may be terror where there is no love, nay, where there is hatred. But this is different from the gracious fear of God, as the feelings of an affectionate child. The fear of God, is often put for the whole of true religion in the heart, and includes its practical results in the life. Let us attend to the one thing needful, and now come to him as a merciful Saviour, who will soon come as an almighty Judge, when he will bring to light the things of darkness, and manifest the counsels of all hearts. Why does God record in his word, that ALL IS VANITY, but to keep us from deceiving ourselves to our ruin? He makes our duty to be our interest. May it be graven in all our hearts. Fear God, and keep his commandments, for this is all that concerns man.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

11. goads—piercing deeply into the mind (Ac 2:37; 9:5; Heb 4:12); evidently inspired words, as the end of the verse proves.

fastened—rather, on account of the Hebrew genders, (The words) "are fastened (in the memory) like nails" [Holden].

masters of assemblies—rather, "the masters of collections (that is, collectors of inspired sayings, Pr 25:1), are given ('have published them as proceeding' [Holden]) from one Shepherd," namely, the Spirit of Jesus Christ [Weiss], (Eze 37:24). However, the mention of "goads" favors the English Version, "masters of assemblies," namely, under-shepherds, inspired by the Chief Shepherd (1Pe 5:2-4). Schmidt translates, "The masters of assemblies are fastened (made sure) as nails," so Isa 22:23.