Ecclesiastes 9:18
Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.
Original Language Analysis
טוֹבָ֥ה
good
H2896
טוֹבָ֥ה
good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
1 of 9
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
מִכְּלֵ֣י
than weapons
H3627
מִכְּלֵ֣י
than weapons
Strong's:
H3627
Word #:
3 of 9
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
וְחוֹטֶ֣א
sinner
H2398
וְחוֹטֶ֣א
sinner
Strong's:
H2398
Word #:
5 of 9
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
יְאַבֵּ֥ד
destroyeth
H6
יְאַבֵּ֥ד
destroyeth
Strong's:
H6
Word #:
7 of 9
properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
Cross References
Joshua 7:1But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel.Joshua 7:5And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water.Ecclesiastes 9:16Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
Historical Context
Israel's history demonstrated this repeatedly: individual sins triggering communal disaster (Achan, David's census, Solomon's idolatry). The corporate nature of covenant community meant one person's sin rippled throughout the nation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the power of 'one sinner' to destroy 'much good' inform your understanding of personal holiness and corporate responsibility?
- What areas in your life, family, or church might be vulnerable to disproportionate damage from single points of compromise?
- How do you balance celebrating wisdom's superiority to power while remaining vigilant against destructive sin?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Wisdom is better than weapons of war (טוֹבָה חָכְמָה מִכְּלֵי קְרָב, tovah chokhmah miklei qerav)—literally 'better is wisdom than implements of war.' The term klei refers to implements, tools, or instruments; qerav means combat or battle. But one sinner destroyeth much good (וְחוֹטֶא אֶחָד יְאַבֵּד טוֹבָה הַרְבֵּה, vechote echad ye'abbed tovah harbeh)—'but one sinner destroys much good,' from abad (to destroy, ruin, perish).
The final assessment balances affirmation and warning: wisdom exceeds military power (returning to v. 14-15's theme—the poor wise man achieved what siege weapons couldn't), yet one chote (sinner, one who misses the mark) can undo vast tovah (good). This sobering note recognizes corruption's disproportionate destructive capacity—one Achan brings defeat (Joshua 7), one Judas betrays Christ (Matthew 26:14-16). The quantitative imbalance (echad—one versus harbeh—much) underscores entropy's law: building requires sustained effort; destruction needs mere moments. Proverbs 6:15 warns similarly: 'suddenly he will be broken beyond healing.' This demands vigilance against sin's infiltration, since even isolated evil can cascade catastrophically.