Ecclesiastes 7:24

Ecclesiastes 7:24 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?
• New International Version (NIV)Whatever exists is far off and most profound— who can discover it?
• English Standard Version (ESV)That which has been is far off, and deep, very deep; who can find it out?
• New King James Version (NKJV)As for that which is far off and exceedingly deep, Who can find it out?

Context of Ecclesiastes 7:24

22for you also know that you too have cursed others many times. 23I have tested all this with wisdom. I said, “I will be wise [independently of God],” but true wisdom was far from me. Whatever has been is far off, deeply remote and exceedingly mysterious. Who can discover it [for it is beyond the grasp of man]? 25I turned around and directed my heart to know, to investigate and to seek [skillful and godly] wisdom and the reason for things, and to know that wickedness is folly and that foolishness is madness [leading to stupidity and recklessness]. 26And I discovered that [of all irrational sins none has been so destructive in beguiling one away from God as immoral women for] more bitter than death is the woman whose heart is [composed of] snares and nets, and whose hands are chains. Whoever pleases God will escape from her, but the sinner will be taken captive by her [evil].

Ecclesiastes 7:24 word by word

רָח֖וֹק מַה־שֶּׁהָיָ֑ה וְעָמֹ֥ק׀ עָמֹ֖ק מִ֥י יִמְצָאֶֽנּוּ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• That which is far offרָחֹקrâchôq râchôq · distantH7350
• and exceeding deepעָמֹק‛âmôq · deepH6013
• who can find it outמָצָאmâtsâ' · to findH4672

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 7:24

• Deuteronomy 30:11“For this commandment which I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it out of reach.
• Job 11:7“Can you discover the depths of God? Can you [by searching] discover the limits of the Almighty [ascend to His heights, extend to His widths, and comprehend His infinite perfection]?
• Job 28:12“But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?
• Psalms 36:6Your righteousness is like the mountains of God, Your judgments are like the great deep. O Lord, You preserve man and beast.
• Psalms 139:6Such [infinite] knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is too high [above me], I cannot reach it.
• Isaiah 55:8“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.
• Romans 11:33Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and decisions and how unfathomable and untraceable are His ways!
• 1 Timothy 6:16He alone possesses immortality [absolute exemption from death] and lives in unapproachable light, whom no man has ever seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal power and dominion! Amen.

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 7:24

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 24That which is far off - Though the wisdom that is essential to our salvation may be soon learned, through the teaching of the Spirit of wisdom, yet in wisdom itself there are extents and depths which none can reach or fathom.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 24literally, Far off is that which hath been i. e., events as they have occurred in the order of Divine Providence), and deep, deep, who can find it out?Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 23-29Verses 23-29 Solomon, in his search into the nature and reason of things, had been miserably deluded. But he here speaks with godly sorrow. He alone who constantly aims to please God, can expect to escape; the careless sinner probably will fall to rise no more. He now discovered more than ever the evil of the great sin of which he had been guilty, the loving many strange women, I Kin. 11:1. A woman thoroughly upright and godly, he had not found. How was…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 23-25it was beyond me: The Teacher could not find the wisdom or reasons he sought. Such reasons are hidden in God's mind (Ecclesiastes 3:11; 8:17).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2424. That ... far off ... deep--True wisdom is so when sought independently of "fear of God" (Ec 7:18; De 30:12, 13; Job 11:7, 8; 28:12-20, 28; Psa 64:6; Ro 10:6, 7).Read the comment

Topics related to Ecclesiastes 7:24

• Ignorance
• Wisdom

In the dictionaries

• Adversity
• Bosom
• Consider
• Crackling
• Living
• Rest
• Synagogue, the Great

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 7

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings