King James Version

What Does Ecclesiastes 4:13 Mean?

Ecclesiastes 4:13 in the King James Version says “Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished. who: Heb. who knoweth no...” — study this verse from Ecclesiastes chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished. who: Heb. who knoweth not to be admonished”

Ecclesiastes 4:13 · KJV

Context

11

Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?

12

And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

13

Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished. who: Heb. who knoweth not to be admonished

14

For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.

15

I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.

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Commentary

KJV Study 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).

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. What signs indicate you're becoming 'old and foolish' in spirit—resistant to correction regardless of chronological age?
  2. How does pride masquerade as experience, preventing necessary course corrections?
  3. In what areas might God be calling you to maintain the 'poor and wise child' posture of humility?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
ט֛וֹב1 of 12

“Better”

H2896

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

יֶ֥לֶד2 of 12

“child”

H3206

something born, i.e., a lad or offspring

מִסְכֵּ֖ן3 of 12

“is a poor”

H4542

indigent

וְחָכָ֑ם4 of 12

“and a wise”

H2450

wise, (i.e., intelligent, skilful or artful)

מִמֶּ֤לֶךְ5 of 12

“king”

H4428

a king

זָקֵן֙6 of 12

“than an old”

H2205

old

וּכְסִ֔יל7 of 12

“and foolish”

H3684

properly, fat, i.e., (figuratively) stupid or silly

אֲשֶׁ֛ר8 of 12
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לֹא9 of 12
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יָדַ֥ע10 of 12

“who will”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

לְהִזָּהֵ֖ר11 of 12

“no more be admonished”

H2094

figuratively, to enlighten (by caution)

עֽוֹד׃12 of 12
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ecclesiastes. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ecclesiastes 4:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ecclesiastes 4:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 25:16Proverbs 19:1Proverbs 28:15-162 Chronicles 16:9-101 Kings 22:8Genesis 37:2

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