Ecclesiastes 7:19

Wisdom strengthened. He who is truly wise gains his victories in life through an infilling of that wisdom that is from above. The same Hebrew verb here translated “strengtheneth” appears also as “prevail,” or “prevailed” (Judges 3:10; 6:2; Ps. 9:19; cf. Prov. 24:5).

Ten mighty. Literally, “ten rulers.” The same Hebrew word is rendered “governor” in Gen. 42:6 and “ruler” in Eccl. 10:5, as also in the Aramaic of Dan. 5:29.

In the city. The comparison is made with the ancient village council of elders that passed judgment on all local matters. The same type of council has been perpetuated in Hindu village life, where it is called the panch, or “five,” in reference to the five elders selected to enforce the rules of community life in the village.