King James Version

What Does Ecclesiastes 9:14 Mean?

Ecclesiastes 9:14 in the King James Version says “There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great...” — study this verse from Ecclesiastes chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it:”

Ecclesiastes 9:14 · KJV

Context

12

For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.

13

This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me:

14

There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it:

15

Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.

16

Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
There was a little city, and few men within it (עִיר קְטַנָּה וַאֲנָשִׁים בָּהּ מְעָט, ir qetannah va'anashim bah me'at)—a small city with few inhabitants, emphasizing vulnerability. And there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it (וּבָא־אֵלֶיהָ מֶלֶךְ גָּדוֹל וְסָבַב אֹתָהּ וּבָנָה עָלֶיהָ מְצוֹדִים גְּדֹלִים, uva-eleha melekh gadol vesavav otah uvanah aleha metsodim gedolim)—a great king came, surrounded it, and built great siege works.

The parable establishes impossible odds: qetannah (small) city with me'at (few) defenders versus melekh gadol (great king) with metsodim gedolim (great bulwarks/siege towers). The verb savav (surrounded, encircled) indicates complete military investment—no escape. Ancient siege warfare was devastating; Deuteronomy 28:52 describes it as covenant curse. The setup creates dramatic tension: how can the weak possibly survive overwhelming force? This mirrors Israel's repeated historical predicaments—militarily outmatched yet divinely delivered (Exodus 14, 2 Kings 19). The answer comes in verse 15: not military might but wisdom.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern warfare frequently involved siege tactics against fortified cities. Assyrian and Babylonian reliefs depict massive siege ramps and towers. Small cities facing great empires (like Jerusalem before Sennacherib) knew this existential terror.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you respond when facing overwhelming obstacles where conventional resources prove inadequate?
  2. In what ways does this scenario parallel spiritual warfare—the weak Church facing hostile powers?
  3. What does it mean to trust wisdom rather than strength when circumstances seem impossible?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
עִ֣יר1 of 15

“city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

קְטַנָּ֔ה2 of 15

“There was a little”

H6996

abbreviated, i.e., diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)

וַאֲנָשִׁ֥ים3 of 15

“men”

H582

properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)

בָּ֖הּ4 of 15
H0
מְעָ֑ט5 of 15

“and few”

H4592

a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)

וּבָֽא6 of 15

“within it and there came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֵלֶ֜יהָ7 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מֶ֤לֶךְ8 of 15

“king”

H4428

a king

גְּדֹלִֽים׃9 of 15

“a great”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

וְסָבַ֣ב10 of 15

“against it and besieged”

H5437

to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively

אֹתָ֔הּ11 of 15
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

וּבָנָ֥ה12 of 15

“it and built”

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

עָלֶ֖יהָ13 of 15
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

מְצוֹדִ֥ים14 of 15

“bulwarks”

H4685

a fastness or (beseiging) tower

גְּדֹלִֽים׃15 of 15

“a great”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

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 9:14 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 9:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Kings 6:24-7:202 Samuel 20:15-22

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