If the ax is blunt, and one doesn’t sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.
Parallel translations
- KJV If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.
- BSB If the axe is dull and the blade unsharpened, more strength must be exerted, but skill produces success.
- NKJV If the ax is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success.
- NASB If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength. Wisdom has the advantage of bringing success.
- NLT Using a dull ax requires great strength, so sharpen the blade. That’s the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
A blunt ax forces more effort, but wisdom brings success. Working skillfully and thoughtfully accomplishes more than sheer force.
Overview
Qoheleth illustrates that wisdom, like a sharpened tool, makes labor more effective and less wasteful. Brute strength without skill is inefficient. The proverb commends the practical value of wisdom in everyday life, reminding us that God grants skill and understanding for our work (Exodus 31:3-5; Proverbs 24:5).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- Jas 1:5But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach; and it will be given to him.
- Col 4:5Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
- Eccl 10:15The labor of fools wearies every one of them; for he doesn’t know how to go to the city.
- 1 Cor 14:20Brothers, don’t be children in thoughts, yet in malice be babies, but in thoughts be mature.
- Eph 5:15–17Therefore watch carefully how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise;
- 1 Kgs 3:9Give your servant therefore an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge this great people of yours?”
- Eccl 9:15–17Now a poor wise man was found in it, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.
- Rom 16:19For your obedience has become known to all. I rejoice therefore over you. But I desire to have you wise in that which is good, but innocent in that which is evil.
- Acts 6:1–9Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service.
- Gen 41:33–39“Now therefore let Pharaoh look for a discreet and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt.
- 2 Chr 23:4–11This is the thing that you must do. A third part of you, who come in on the Sabbath, of the priests and of the Levites, shall be porters of the thresholds.
- Exod 18:19–23Listen now to my voice. I will give you counsel, and God be with you. You represent the people before God, and bring the causes to God.
- 1 Chr 12:32Of the children of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their heads were two hundred; and all their brothers were at their command.
- Matt 10:16“Behold, I send you out as sheep among wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
- Acts 15:2–21Therefore when Paul and Barnabas had no small discord and discussion with them, they appointed Paul and Barnabas, and some others of them, to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question.
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The search that finds everything 'under the sun' to be vapor exposes the emptiness of life without God and drives us to the one who alone gives meaning, the resurrection that makes our labor not in vain.
How Ecclesiastes 10:10 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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