Ecclesiastes 8:17

Ecclesiastes 8:17 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea further; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.
• New International Version (NIV)then I saw all that God has done. No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all their efforts to search it out, no one can discover its meaning. Even if the wise claim they know, they cannot really comprehend it.
• English Standard Version (ESV)then I saw all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. However much man may toil in seeking, he will not find it out. Even though a wise man claims to know, he cannot find it out.
• New King James Version (NKJV)then I saw all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. For though a man labors to discover it, yet he will not find it; moreover, though a wise man attempts to know it, he will not be able to find it.

Context of Ecclesiastes 8:17

15So I commended enjoyment because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat, drink, and enjoy himself, for this will accompany him in his labor during the days of his life that God gives him under the sun. 16When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to observe the activity that is done on the earth (even though one’s eyes do not close in sleep day or night), I observed all the work of God and concluded that a person is unable to discover the work that is done under the sun. Even though a person labors hard to explore it, he cannot find it; even if a wise person claims to know it, he is unable to discover it.

Ecclesiastes 8:17 word by word

וְרָאִיתִי֮ אֶת־כָּל־מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה הָאֱלֹהִים֒ כִּי֩ לֹ֨א יוּכַ֜ל הָאָדָ֗ם לִמְצוֹא֙ אֶת־הַֽמַּעֲשֶׂה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר נַעֲשָׂ֣ה תַֽחַת־הַשֶּׁ֔מֶשׁ בְּ֠שֶׁל אֲשֶׁ֨ר יַעֲמֹ֧ל הָאָדָ֛ם לְבַקֵּ֖שׁ וְלֹ֣א יִמְצָ֑א וְגַ֨ם אִם־יֹאמַ֤ר הֶֽחָכָם֙ לָדַ֔עַת לֹ֥א יוּכַ֖ל לִמְצֹֽא׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Then I beheldרָאָהrâ'âh · to see: seeH7200
• all the workמַעֲשֶׂהma‛ăώeh · deed: workH4639
• of Godאֱלֹהִים'ĕlôhîym · GodH430
• that a manאָדָם'âdâm · manH120
• cannotיָכֹלyâkôl yâkôl · be ableH3201
• find outמָצָאmâtsâ' · to findH4672
• that is doneעָשָׂה‛âώâh · to make: doH6213
• under the sunשֶׁ֫מֶשׁshemesh · sunH8121
• becauseאֲשֶׁר'ăsher · whichH834
• thoughשֶׁלshel · whichH7945
• labourעָמַל‛âmal · to toilH5998
• outבָּקַשׁbâqash · to seekH1245
• yea further; though a wiseחָכָםchâkâm · wiseH2450
• thinkאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• to knowיָדַעyâda‛ · to knowH3045

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 8:17

• Ecclesiastes 3:11He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also put eternity in their hearts, but no one can discover the work God has done from beginning to end.
• Ecclesiastes 7:23I have tested all this by wisdom. I resolved, “I will be wise,” but it was beyond me.
• Ecclesiastes 11:5Just as you don’t know the path of the wind, or how bones develop in the womb of a pregnant woman, so also you don’t know the work of God who makes everything.
• Job 5:9He does great and unsearchable things, wonders without number.
• Job 11:7Can you fathom the depths of God or discover the limits of the Almighty?
• Psalms 40:5Lord my God, you have done many things — your wondrous works and your plans for us; none can compare with you. If I were to report and speak of them, they are more than can be told.
• Psalms 73:16When I tried to understand all this, it seemed hopeless
• Psalms 104:24How countless are your works, Lord! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.
• Proverbs 30:3I have not gained wisdom, and I have no knowledge of the Holy One.
• Isaiah 40:28Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the whole earth. He never becomes faint or weary; there is no limit to his understanding.
• Romans 11:33Oh, the depth of the riches and the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments and untraceable his ways!

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 8:17

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun - I saw it to be of such a nature - That a man cannot find it out. That if he labor to find it out, he shall not succeed. That though he be wise - the most instructed among men, and think to find it out, he shall find he is not able. It is beyond the wisdom and power of man. How vain then are all your cavils about Providence. You do not understand it; you…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14-17Verses 14-17 Faith alone can establish the heart in this mixed scene, where the righteous often suffer, and the wicked prosper. Solomon commended joy, and holy security of mind, arising from confidence in God, because a man has no better thing under the sun, though a good man has much better things above the sun, than soberly and thankfully to use the things of this life according to his rank. He would not have us try to give a reason for what God does…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16-17A person could spend all their time searching for answers, but some reasons will remain unclear. For example, God's justice can be mysterious.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-17Ec 8:1-17. 1. Praise of true wisdom continued (Ec 7:11, &c.). "Who" is to be accounted "equal to the wise man? ... Who (like him) knoweth the interpretation" of God's providences (for example, Ec 7:8, 13, 14), and God's word (for example, see on Ec 7:29; Pr 1:6)? face to shine--(Ec 7:14; Ac 6:15). A sunny countenance, the reflection of a tranquil conscience and serene mind. Communion with God gives it (Ex 34:29, 30). boldness--austerity. changed--into a…Read the comment

Topics related to Ecclesiastes 8:17

• Ignorance
• Wisdom
• Worldliness

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Wise, Man
• Discern
• Discharge
• Feel
• Hasty
• Heart
• Set
• Far; Farther

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 8

• 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