New English Translation
Ecclesiastes 7:24
24Whatever has happened is beyond human understanding; it is far deeper than anyone can fathom.
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 know in your own heart that you also have cursed others many times. 23I have examined all this by wisdom; I said, “I am determined to comprehend this” – but it was beyond my grasp. Whatever has happened is beyond human understanding; it is far deeper than anyone can fathom. 25I tried to understand, examine, and comprehend the role of wisdom in the scheme of things, and to understand the stupidity of wickedness and the insanity of folly. 26I discovered this: More bitter than death is the kind of woman who is like a hunter’s snare; her heart is like a hunter’s net and her hands are like prison chains. The man who pleases God escapes her, but the sinner is captured by her.
Read all of Ecclesiastes 7Ecclesiastes 7:24 word by word
רָח֖וֹק מַה־שֶּׁהָיָ֑ה וְעָמֹ֥ק׀ עָמֹ֖ק מִ֥י יִמְצָאֶֽנּוּ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 7:24
- Deuteronomy 30:11“This commandment I am giving you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it too remote.
- Job 11:7“Can you discover the essence of God? Can you find out the perfection of the Almighty?
- Job 28:12“But wisdom – where can it be found? Where is the place of understanding?
- Psalms 36:6Your justice is like the highest mountains, your fairness like the deepest sea; you preserve mankind and the animal kingdom.
- Psalms 139:6Your knowledge is beyond my comprehension; it is so far beyond me, I am unable to fathom it.
- Isaiah 55:8“Indeed, my plans are not like your plans, and my deeds are not like your deeds,
- Romans 11:33Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how fathomless his ways!
- 1 Timothy 6:16He alone possesses immortality and lives in unapproachable light, whom no human has ever seen or is able to see. To him be honor and eternal power! 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
In the dictionaries
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
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