Ecclesiastes 10:14

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Ecclesiastes 10:14 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “A fool also multiplieth words: [yet] man knoweth not what shall be; and that which shall be after him, who can tell him?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

A fool also multiplieth words: [yet] man knoweth not what shall be; and that which shall be after him, who can tell him?
Ecclesiastes 10:14 — American Standard Version

Context — Ecclesiastes 10

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
14A fool also multiplieth words: [yet] man knoweth not what shall be; and that which shall be after him, who can tell him?

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“A fool also is full of words, etc.] Or, “multiplies words”f243. Is very talkative, says the same thing over and over again; uses an abundance of waste words, that have no meaning in them; utters every thing that comes uppermost, without any order or judgment; affects to talk on every subject, whether he knows anything of it or not; and will engross all the conversation to himself, though of all in company the most unfit for it; a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him who can tell him? what the fool is talking of; what is the drift of his discourse; or where it will end, and what he will bring it to, it is so noisy, confused, and incoherent: or no man can tell future…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“full of words-- (Ecc 5:2). a man cannot tell what shall be-- (Ecc 3:22; Ecc 6:12; Ecc 8:7; Ecc 11:2; Pro 27:1). If man, universally (including the wise man), cannot foresee the future, much less can the fool; his "many words" are therefore futile.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Full of words - Confident talking of the future is indicated rather than mere loquacity. Compare James 4:13. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Full of words - Forward to promise and boast what he will do, whereas none can be sure of future events, even during his own life, much more after his death. Ecclesiastes 10:15”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“10:14 they chatter on and on: Fools are always talking about nothing (see 5:3; 6:11; Prov 10:19; 17:28). • no one can predict the future: The wise will not waste time in foolish talking nor suffer its consequences (see Jas 4:13-16).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“fool: Ecc 5:3; Pro 10:19, Pro 15:2 is full of words: Heb. multiplieth words, Job 34:37, Job 35:16 a man: Ecc 3:22, Ecc 6:12, Ecc 8:7; Jam 4:13, Jam 4:14 Ecclesiastes 10:15”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“"And the fool maketh many words: while a man yet doth not know that which shall be; and what shall be when he is no more, who can show him that?" The vav at the beginning of this verse corresponds to the Lat. accedit quod. That he who in Ecc 10:12 was named kesil is now named hassachal, arises from this, that meanwhile sichluth has been predicated of him. The relation of Ecc 10:14 to Ecc 10:14, Geier has rightly defined: Probatur absurditas multiloquii a communi ignorantia ac imbecillitate humana, quae tamen praecipue dominatur apud ignaros stultos. We miss before lo-yeda' an "although" (gam, Neh 6:1, or ki gam, Ecc 8:12); the clause is, after the manner of a clause denoting state or…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification