Bible Study CAn anyone interpret this verse?

[way2groovy1]

Ecclesiastes 7
16. Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?

What does this mean?

 

[Blazin Bones]

IMO, the verse is telling us that we must not let our knowledge become more truth to us than the actual words and guidence of God. I think we must realize, that since God is a living God, he still speaks to us today, knowledge can prevent us from hearing God completely if our ego's aren't in check.

 

[Vic C.]

Ecclesiastes 7
6. Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?

What does this mean?

I think that is 7:16, not 6. And no, I do not have an answer for that right now. 8-) But it may help to read the verse before it as well.

Eccl 7:15 All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness.

15 All things I have seen in the days of my vanity; there is a just man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked one who prolongs his life in his evil.
LITV

 

[way2groovy1]

I think that is 7:16, not 6.

Thanks vic,
When I copied it I forgot to paste the 1 :

 

[Vic C.]

Thanks vic,
When I copied it I forgot to paste the 1 :

Aaaw, that's ok.

I feel Tim/HisCatalyst is right in the ballpark. So much of Ecclesiastes is about the perils of self righteousness, materialism, and even self-doubt and a lack of purpose. It has this 'what is the meaning of life, especially without God?' theme throughout it.

 

[way2groovy1]

Yah, I get that feeling from it too. I somewhat know in my gut what it means, I was just wondering if others felt the same way or not.


Sorta like the saying "Don't go looking for demons under every bush or you might actually find one."

 

[Vic C.]

Sorta like the saying "Don't go looking for demons under every bush or you might actually find one."

Or one of my favs...

Dorothy:
"If I ever go looking for my heart's desires again, I won't look any further than my own backyard, because if it isn't there, I never really lost it."

:-D

 

[Restin]

Interpret -- Ecc 7:16?

Ecclesiastes 7
16. Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?

What does this mean?

Ecclesiastes 7 and these verses in Psalms 73 have similar meanings to me --

• Psalms 73:
  1 Surely God is good to Israel,
  To those who are pure in heart!
  2 But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling,
  My steps had almost slipped.
  3 For I was envious of the arrogant
  As I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
  4 For there are no pains in their death,
  And their body is fat.
  5 They are not in trouble as other men,
  Nor are they plagued like mankind.
  
  13 Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure
  And washed my hands in innocence;
  14 For I have been stricken all day long
  And chastened every morning.
  
  16 When I pondered to understand this,
  It was troublesome in my sight
  17 Until I came into the sanctuary of God;
  Then I perceived their end.
  
  NASU, w/emphasis supplied

......Restin

 

[Eve777]

way2groovy1 wrote:
Quote:
Ecclesiastes 7
16. Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?
What does this mean?

It means we should be moderate in all things, because if, for example, you exaggerate in your religious life, always volunteering for everything,,,always first to clean the church....etc....it can lead to pride, and thereby harm you instead of doing you good.