Ecclesiastes 1:17

And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.

And I gave {H5414} my heart {H3820} to know {H3045} wisdom {H2451}, and to know {H3045} madness {H1947} and folly {H5531}: I perceived {H3045} that this {H1571} also is vexation {H7475} of spirit {H7307}.

yet when I applied myself to understanding wisdom and knowledge, as well as stupidity and folly, I came to see that this too was merely feeding on wind.

So I set my mind to know wisdom and madness and folly; I learned that this, too, is a pursuit of the wind.

And I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also was a striving after wind.

Context

Ecclesiastes, penned by "the Preacher" (KJV), traditionally identified as King Solomon, is a profound philosophical exploration of life's meaning "under the sun." In the opening chapters, the author systematically examines various human pursuits—pleasure, wealth, building, and in this immediate context, wisdom and knowledge—to determine if they offer lasting satisfaction or ultimate purpose. Having already declared that all is 'vanity of vanities', he recounts his personal experiments. Verse 17 follows his observations of the "grievous task" given to humanity (Ecclesiastes 1:13) and his conclusion that much of what is done is 'vexation of spirit'.

Key Themes

  • The Limits of Human Wisdom: The Preacher dedicated himself wholeheartedly to acquiring knowledge, even extending his study to include "madness and folly"—the antithesis of wisdom. This suggests a comprehensive, almost exhaustive, intellectual quest to understand the full spectrum of human experience and thought.
  • The Futility of Knowledge Without God: Despite his immense intellectual effort, the author's conclusion is striking: this pursuit also leads to "vexation of spirit." This highlights a central theme of Ecclesiastes: that even the most noble human endeavors, when pursued independently of God, ultimately fail to provide true fulfillment or lasting peace.
  • Disillusionment and Frustration: The phrase "vexation of spirit" conveys a deep sense of striving, chasing the wind, or a feeding on empty air. It represents a weariness and futility that comes from intellectual exploration that lacks a divine anchor. The more he learned, the more he realized the inherent limitations and frustrations of earthly wisdom.

Linguistic Insights

The key phrase "vexation of spirit" (KJV) is a translation of the Hebrew `ra'ayon ruach` (רעיון רוח). The word `ra'ayon` can mean "striving," "chasing," or "a feeding on." The word `ruach` means "spirit," "wind," or "breath." Together, it vividly paints a picture of "a striving after wind," "chasing the wind," or "feeding on wind"—an activity that is inherently futile, unsatisfying, and exhausting. This recurring phrase throughout Ecclesiastes underscores the Preacher's profound sense of emptiness in all earthly pursuits.

Practical Application

Ecclesiastes 1:17 offers a timeless caution to those who seek ultimate meaning solely through intellectual pursuits or exhaustive worldly experience. While knowledge and understanding are valuable, this verse reminds us that they are insufficient to satisfy the deepest longings of the human soul. Many today still chase after advanced degrees, accumulate vast information, or explore the full spectrum of human experience (both good and bad) hoping to find purpose, only to discover a similar sense of emptiness or "vexation of spirit." The Preacher's journey points us towards the conclusion that true meaning and lasting satisfaction are found not in what we acquire or intellectually grasp "under the sun," but in a relationship with God and obedience to His commands, as ultimately summarized in Ecclesiastes 12:13.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Ecclesiastes 2:3

    I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what [was] that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:21

    Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

  • Ecclesiastes 2:10

    And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.

  • Ecclesiastes 2:12

    ¶ And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what [can] the man [do] that cometh after the king? [even] that which hath been already done.

  • Ecclesiastes 1:13

    And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all [things] that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.

  • Ecclesiastes 1:14

    I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all [is] vanity and vexation of spirit.

  • Ecclesiastes 7:23

    ¶ All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it [was] far from me.

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