For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.
Wisdom (is) a defense - literally, (To be) in (i:e., under) the shadow (Isaiah 30:2) of wisdom (is the same as to be) in (under) the shadow of money; i:e., wisdom no less shields one from the ills of life than money does. As heat is the great plague in the East, so it expresses tribulation; and shadow expresses shelter from tribulation.
The excellency of knowledge (is, that) wisdom giveth life to them that have it. Or, as the Chaldaic, Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic, 'the excellency of the knowledge of wisdom giveth life' - i:e., life in the highest sense, here and hereafter (Proverbs 3:18; John 17:3; 2 Peter 1:3). But the Hebrew accent supports the English version. Wisdom (religion) cannot be lost, as money can. It shields one in adversity, as well as prosperity; money, only in prosperity. The question in Ecclesiastes 7:10 implies a want of it.