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 know how often you yourself have cursed others. 23I have always tried my best to let wisdom guide my thoughts and actions. I said to myself, “I am determined to be wise.” But it didn’t work. Wisdom is always distant and difficult to find. 25I searched everywhere, determined to find wisdom and to understand the reason for things. I was determined to prove to myself that wickedness is stupid and that foolishness is madness. 26I discovered that a seductive woman is a trap more bitter than death. Her passion is a snare, and her soft hands are chains. Those who are pleasing to God will escape her, but sinners will be caught in her snare.

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“This command I am giving you today is not too difficult for you, and it is not beyond your reach.
• Job 11:7“Can you solve the mysteries of God? Can you discover everything about the Almighty?
• Job 28:12“But do people know where to find wisdom? Where can they find understanding?
• Psalms 36:6Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the ocean depths. You care for people and animals alike, O Lord.
• Psalms 139:6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!
• Isaiah 55:8“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
• Romans 11:33Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!
• 1 Timothy 6:16He alone can never die, and he lives in light so brilliant that no human can approach him. No human eye has ever seen him, nor ever will. All honor and power to him forever! 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