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Ecclesiastes 7:22

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Ecclesiastes 7:22 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “for oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

for oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.
Ecclesiastes 7:22 — American Standard Version

Context — Ecclesiastes 7

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
19Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers that are in a city.
20Surely there is not a righteous man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
21Also take not heed unto all words that are spoken, lest thou hear thy servant curse thee;
22for oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.
23All this have I proved in wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
24That which is, is far off and exceeding deep; who can find it out?
25I turned about, and my heart [was set] to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the reason [of things], and to know that wickedness is folly, and that foolishness is madness.
← Ecclesiastes 7:21Ecclesiastes 7:23 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth, etc.] Or “thy conscience”, as the Vulgate Latin version, which is as a thousand witnesses; which, if a man attends to, he will be convinced of his own faults, failings, and infirmities, he is frequently in the commission of. Particularly, that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others; either in heart, or with the tongue; thought ill of them, wished ill to them; spoke contemptibly of them, reviled and reproached them; called them by bad names, and abused them; and said some very hard and severe words concerning them, in a passionate fit, being provoked; and afterwards repented of it, being better informed of the state of the case, or being…”
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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
“(Kg1 2:44).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Curse ... cursed - Rather, speak evil of ... spoken evil of. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“7:22 It is right to forgive and be gracious toward others’ indiscretions or slips of the tongue.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“also: Kg1 2:44; Mat 15:19, Mat 18:32-35; Joh 8:7-9; Jam 3:9 Ecclesiastes 7:23”
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Related study paths

Read Ecclesiastes 7 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification