Do not be overly righteousThis phrase cautions against self-righteousness and legalism, which can lead to pride and a judgmental spirit. In the context of Ecclesiastes, the Preacher (traditionally understood as Solomon) explores the futility of human efforts to achieve perfection through one's own strength. This aligns with the broader biblical teaching that righteousness is not attained by works but through faith (
Romans 3:22). The Pharisees in the New Testament exemplify the dangers of being "overly righteous," as they focused on external adherence to the law while neglecting the heart (
Matthew 23:23-28).
and do not make yourself too wise
This warning addresses the pursuit of wisdom for its own sake, which can lead to arrogance and a sense of self-sufficiency. Solomon, known for his wisdom, acknowledges the limitations of human understanding (1 Kings 3:12,Ecclesiastes 1:16-18). The Bible consistently teaches that true wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10). The pursuit of wisdom apart from God can result in the same vanity and emptiness that Solomon describes throughout Ecclesiastes.
Why should you destroy yourself?
The rhetorical question highlights the self-destructive nature of excessive righteousness and wisdom. It suggests that striving for these qualities in an imbalanced way can lead to burnout, disillusionment, and spiritual harm. This echoes the biblical principle that human efforts apart from God are ultimately futile (Psalm 127:1). The phrase also serves as a reminder of the need for humility and reliance on God's grace, as seen in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, who invites believers to find rest in Him (Matthew 11:28-30).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
SolomonTraditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His reflections in Ecclesiastes are often seen as a culmination of his life experiences and insights.
2.
IsraelThe nation to which Solomon belonged and ruled as king. The cultural and religious context of Israel during Solomon's reign provides a backdrop for understanding the text.
3.
The Preacher (Qoheleth)The voice in Ecclesiastes, often identified with Solomon, who explores the meaning of life and the pursuit of wisdom.
Teaching Points
Balance in RighteousnessThe verse warns against an excessive pursuit of righteousness that leads to self-destruction. True righteousness is balanced and rooted in humility and dependence on God.
The Danger of Self-RighteousnessBeing "overly righteous" can lead to pride and a judgmental spirit. It is essential to remember that our righteousness comes from Christ, not our own efforts.
Wisdom and HumilityPursuing wisdom is commendable, but it must be accompanied by humility. Recognizing our limitations and the need for God's guidance is crucial.
Avoiding LegalismThe verse cautions against a legalistic approach to faith that focuses on external compliance rather than a genuine relationship with God.
Self-Reflection and GrowthRegular self-examination can help us avoid the pitfalls of self-righteousness and encourage growth in grace and truth.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Ecclesiastes 7:16?
2.How can we avoid being "overly righteous" as warned in Ecclesiastes 7:16?
3.What does Ecclesiastes 7:16 teach about the dangers of self-righteousness?
4.How does Ecclesiastes 7:16 relate to Jesus' teachings on humility?
5.In what ways can Ecclesiastes 7:16 guide our daily decision-making?
6.How can Ecclesiastes 7:16 help balance righteousness and humility in our lives?
7.What does Ecclesiastes 7:16 mean by "Do not be overly righteous"?
8.How can one be "overly wise" according to Ecclesiastes 7:16?
9.Why does Ecclesiastes 7:16 warn against being overly righteous or wise?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 7?
11.In Ecclesiastes 7:16, being “overly righteous” is discouraged—doesn’t this conflict with biblical commands to live righteously (e.g., Matthew 6:33)?
12.What defines centrism or a centrist?
13.What is the Doctrine of the Mean?
14.What does 'not be overrighteous or overwise' mean?What Does Ecclesiastes 7:16 Mean
Do not be overly righteousSolomon is not discouraging genuine holiness; he is warning against a self-manufactured, performance-based righteousness that goes beyond what God commands.
- Jesus exposed this attitude in the Pharisees who “strain out a gnat but swallow a camel” (Matthew 23:24).
- Isaiah reminds us that “all our righteous acts are like filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6) when we rely on them for standing with God.
- The Pharisee inLuke 18:9-14 boasted of his deeds, yet the humble tax collector went home justified.
- Paul confessed that his own law-keeping was “loss” compared to gaining Christ’s righteousness (Philippians 3:7-9).
Over-righteousness fosters:
- Prideful comparison with others (Romans 2:1).
- Adding human rules that burden people (Matthew 23:4).
- A false sense of security that ignores the need for grace (Romans 3:22-24).
and do not make yourself too wiseWisdom is a gift from God (Proverbs 2:6), but “making yourself” too wise speaks of exalting human insight above divine revelation.
- “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).
- Human wisdom is powerless to save; “Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” (1 Corinthians 1:20).
- Knowledge alone “puffs up” if it is not tempered by love and humility (1 Corinthians 8:1).
When we pursue intellect for self-glory, we:
- Become independent of God (Genesis 11:4).
- Drift into skepticism and doubt (1 Timothy 6:20-21).
- Miss the simple, saving message of the cross (1 Corinthians 1:23-25).
Why should you destroy yourself?Both self-righteousness and self-wise arrogance are self-destructive.
- “Pride goes before destruction” (Proverbs 16:18).
- God “opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6).
- Overconfidence blinds us to sin, leading to a fall (1 Corinthians 10:12).
Consequences include:
- Broken relationships through judgmentalism or intellectual snobbery.
- Spiritual dryness, because grace flows to the humble (Isaiah 57:15).
- Ultimately, discipline from the Lord who loves us too much to leave us in pride (Hebrews 12:5-6).
summaryEcclesiastes 7:16 urges balance. Pursue true righteousness and true wisdom, both received by faith, not fabricated for self-exaltation. When we rest in Christ’s righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21) and seek wisdom that begins with the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10), we avoid the self-destruction that pride inevitably brings.
(16)
Righteous over ? much.--The caution is against morbid scrupulosity and over-rigorism. We may illustrate by the case of the Jews, who refused to defend themselves against their enemies on the Sabbath day. The next verse is a necessary corrective to this: "Yet be cautious how thou disregardest the restraints of Law."
Verse 16. -
Be not righteous over much. The exhortation has been variously interpreted to warn against too scrupulous observance of ritual and ceremonial religion, or the mistaken piety which neglects all mundane affairs, or the Pharisaical spirit which is bitter in condemning others who fall short of one's own standard. Cox will have it that the advice signifies that a prudent man will not be very righteous, since he will gain nothing by it, nor very wicked, as he will certainly shorten his life by such conduct. But really Koheleth is condemning the tendency to immoderate asceticism which had begun to show itself in his day - a rigorous, prejudiced, indiscreet manner of life and conduct which made piety offensive, and afforded no real aid to the cause of religion. This arrogant system virtually dictated the laws by which Providence should be governed, and found fault with divinely ordered circumstances if they did not coincide with its professors' preconceived opinions. Such religionism might well be called being "righteous over much."
Neither make thyself over wise; Septuagint,
Μηδὲ σοφίζου περισσά; Vulgate,
Neque plus sapias quam necesse est; better,
show not thyself too wise;
i.
e. do not indulge in speculations about God's dealings, estimating them according to your own predilections, questioning the wisdom of his moral government. Against such perverse speculation St. Paul argues (
Romans 9:19, etc.). "Thou wilt say unto me, Why doth he still find fault? For who withstandeth his will? Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why didst thou make me thus?" A good principle carried to excess may bring evil results.
Summum jus,
summa injuria. The maxim,
Μηδὲν ἀγάν, Ne
quid nimis, "Moderation in all things," is taught here; and Aristotle's theory of virtue being the mean between the two extremes of excess and defect is adumbrated ('Ethic. Nicom.,' 2:6. 15, 16): though we do not see that the writer is "reproducing current Greek thought" (Plumptre), or that independent reflection and observation could not have landed him at the implied conclusion without plagiarism.
Why shouldest thou destroy thyself? Septuagint,
Μή ποτὲἐκπλαγῇς, "Lest perchance thou be confounded;" Vulgate, Ne
obstupescas, "Lest thou be stupefied." This is the primary meaning of the special form of the verb here used (hithp. of
שׁמם), and Plumptre supposes that the author intends thereby to express the spiritual pride which accompanies fancied excellence in knowledge and conduct, and by which the possessor is puffed up (
1 Timothy 3:6). But plainly it is not a mental, internal effect that is contemplated, but something that affects comfort, position, or life, like the corresponding clause in the following verse. Hitzig and Ginsburg explain the word, "Make thyself forsaken," "Isolate thyself," which can scarcely be the meaning. The Authorized Version is correct. A man who professes to be wiser than others, and. indeed, wiser than Providence, incurs the envy and animosity of his fellow-men, and will certainly be punished by God for his arrogance and presumption.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Do notאַל־(’al-)Adverb
Strong's 408:Notbeתְּהִ֤י(tə·hî)Verb - Qal - Imperfect Jussive - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, beoverlyהַרְבֵּ֔ה(har·bêh)Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 7235:To be or become much, many or greatrighteous,צַדִּיק֙(ṣad·dîq)Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6662:Just, righteousand do notוְאַל־(wə·’al-)Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 408:Notmake yourself tooיוֹתֵ֑ר(yō·w·ṯêr)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3148:Superiority, advantage, excesswise.תִּתְחַכַּ֖ם(tiṯ·ḥak·kam)Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 2449:To be wiseWhyלָ֖מָּה(lām·māh)Interrogative
Strong's 4100:What?, what!, indefinitely whatshould you destroy yourself?תִּשּׁוֹמֵֽם׃(tiš·šō·w·mêm)Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 8074:To stun, devastate, stupefy
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OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 7:16 Don't be overly righteous neither make yourself (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) 
