This is a saying that applies to all wisdom writing. Qoheleth’s somewhat radical ideas fit in this category of words designed to challenge people.

This verse has a chiastic structure, a fact that may help us in determining the meaning of the passage. It is made up of two statements that compare wisdom writing to “goads,” or instruments used to drive cattle.

This is followed by a phrase given by one Shepherd, which, as Revised Standard Version suggests, can serve as a relative clause describing sayings. Alternatively it can be an independent sentence, “They are given by one shepherd.”

The sayings of the wise is literally “The words of the wise.” It includes all the oral and written material produced by the sages, including Qoheleth.

Are like goads: a goad is an instrument, perhaps a stick, used by the shepherd to prod an animal in order to make it go in a given direction. Good News Translation gives an expanded translation making clear the function of the goad. It says “sharp sticks that shepherds use to guide sheep.” The verb are, which does not appear in the Hebrew, may also be rendered as “serve” or “function.”

Like nails firmly fixed is parallel to the word goads. It is often the case in Hebrew writing that the second line expands or gives more detail to the first, and this is apparently the case here: like nails adds to the description of the goads. It seems to suggest that these nails stick out from the piece of wood. They cause minor pain, forcing the animal to move as the shepherd wants.

Firmly fixed is the passive participle of a verb that can describe tent pegs driven into the ground (Dan 11.45 “pitch”). So Jerusalem Bible says “like pegs driven deep”; Good News Translation has “firmly driven nails.” The point is not how deeply they are driven in. In languages that must state what the nails are driven into, we can say “like nails sticking out of a piece of wood.” Good News Translation also understands the image to mean that the points of the nails are long-lasting, but this interpretation is not warranted. The nails are firmly fixed simply so that they can do an effective job of goading the animal. Contemporary English Version‘s “like nails that fasten things together” should not be used as a model.

The figure here states clearly how the pursuit of wisdom, or following the wise man’s teaching, is painful and demanding. Real truth and wise counsel “sting” the hearer, thus causing a real change in behavior or lifestyle. This idea can be expressed in the translation: “The words of wise people sting like cattle prods; they are sharp as nails.”

The collected sayings is a phrase occurring nowhere else in the Old Testament. It is an unusual phrase in Hebrew, literally “masters of gathering.” We have seen a similar expression in 10.11 (“master of the tongue”), which was interpreted as referring to a “master of a snake,” or “snake charmer.” It is possible, then, that the expression here refers to those people whose special concern was to collect wise sayings, that is, the sages themselves. But noting the chiastic structure, the expression seems parallel to The sayings of the wise, so the Revised Standard Version rendering the collected sayings seems the best solution. New Jerusalem Bible takes this view when it combines these two elements while retaining the two comparisons: “The sayings of the wise are like goads, like nails fixed in prodding sticks.” This can serve as a possible model.

Which are given by one Shepherd relates to the previous phrase “collected sayings.” However, it may also be an independent clause with “they” as the subject. Are given can be rendered here as “taught.” The verb points forward to the source of the sayings, the Shepherd. Most discussion of the phrase has to do with the meaning of one Shepherd. Who does it refer to? In the biblical context kings and gods are referred to by this figure of speech. Many commentators see it here as a reference to God, and Revised Standard Version shows that it takes this view by using a capital letter. Good News Translation expresses it directly with “God, the one shepherd of us all.” But this rendering almost certainly goes beyond what the text is saying. Some scholars see here a reference to King Solomon rather than to God. It is even possible to argue that Qoheleth himself is the one shepherd giving this particular collection of sayings. Others such as Fox view the phrase as a comparison: sages use words as shepherds use goads. In view of the great uncertainty about the meaning of one Shepherd, it seems unwise to make a direct reference to either God or Solomon in the body of the translation. Our suggestion is to keep the term “shepherd” in the text.

A fairly literal translation can say:

• The words of wise men are like the sticks shepherds use to guide their animals. Like sharp nails are the collected sayings taught by one shepherd.*

A freer translation is:

• The sayings of wise men are sharp as nails. They sting like cattle prods used by a shepherd.*

The footnote can say:
*Some think the Hebrew expression “one shepherd” refers to God or to Solomon.

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Zogbo, Lynell. A Handbook on the Book of Ecclesiates. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .