Ecclesiastes 4:13
Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
Original Language Analysis
ט֛וֹב
Better
H2896
ט֛וֹב
Better
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
1 of 12
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
וּכְסִ֔יל
and foolish
H3684
וּכְסִ֔יל
and foolish
Strong's:
H3684
Word #:
7 of 12
properly, fat, i.e., (figuratively) stupid or silly
אֲשֶׁ֛ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֛ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
8 of 12
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
9 of 12
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָדַ֥ע
who will
H3045
יָדַ֥ע
who will
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
10 of 12
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
Cross References
2 Chronicles 25:16And it came to pass, as he talked with him, that the king said unto him, Art thou made of the king's counsel? forbear; why shouldest thou be smitten? Then the prophet forbare, and said, I know that God hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkened unto my counsel.Proverbs 19:1Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
Historical Context
This may allude to specific historical figures—some suggest Rehoboam (Solomon's son who rejected elder counsel, 1 Kings 12), or perhaps Solomon reflecting on his own later spiritual decline. The ancient Near East honored age, making this reversal striking.
Questions for Reflection
- What signs indicate you're becoming 'old and foolish' in spirit—resistant to correction regardless of chronological age?
- How does pride masquerade as experience, preventing necessary course corrections?
- In what areas might God be calling you to maintain the 'poor and wise child' posture of humility?
Analysis & Commentary
Better is a poor and a wise child (טוֹב יֶלֶד מִסְכֵּן וְחָכָם, tov yeled misken ve-chakam)—the Hebrew yeled means 'youth' or 'boy,' while misken denotes being lowly or poor. Than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished (מִמֶּלֶךְ זָקֵן וּכְסִיל אֲשֶׁר לֹא־יָדַע לְהִזָּהֵר עוֹד, mi-melekh zaqen ukh'sil asher lo-yada lehizaher od)—one who 'knows not to be warned anymore,' having become unteachable through pride.
Qoheleth establishes a paradoxical comparison: poverty combined with wisdom and youth surpasses wealth, power, and age when the latter is marked by foolishness and obstinacy. The phrase 'will no more be admonished' (lo-yada lehizaher) is particularly damning—the old king has become unreceptive to counsel, the cardinal sin of wisdom literature. Proverbs repeatedly exalts the teachable spirit (Proverbs 12:15, 'the way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice'). This anticipates Jesus's warning that 'whoever humbles himself like this child is greatest' (Matthew 18:4).