Ecclesiastes 7:23

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

All this {H2090} have I proved {H5254} by wisdom {H2451}: I said {H559}, I will be wise {H2449}; but it was far {H7350} from me.

All this I have put to the test of wisdom; I said, "I will acquire wisdom"; but wisdom remained far away from me.

All this I tested by wisdom, saying, “I resolve to be wise.” But it was beyond me.

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

Ecclesiastes 7:23 captures the Preacher's profound reflection on the limitations of human wisdom, even for one as renowned for it as King Solomon. This verse serves as a poignant confession that despite diligent effort and extensive experience, complete understanding of life's complexities and God's ways remains elusive.

Context

This verse is found within a section of Ecclesiastes (chapters 7-8) where the Preacher, often identified with King Solomon, explores various aspects of wisdom, righteousness, folly, and the challenges of life under the sun. He considers the benefits of wisdom over folly, the nature of good and evil, and the ultimate inability of humanity to fully grasp God's grand design. After examining many scenarios and proverbs, he arrives at a personal conclusion about the ultimate reach of human intellect.

Key Themes

  • The Limitations of Human Wisdom: Despite his diligent pursuit and God-given intellect, the Preacher admits that true, comprehensive wisdom, especially concerning the deepest mysteries of life and divine purpose, was "far from me." This highlights the inherent boundaries of human understanding.
  • The Earnest Pursuit of Wisdom: The phrase "I said, I will be wise" reveals an active, determined effort to attain profound insight. This isn't a passive observation but a testament to an exhaustive search for knowledge and truth.
  • The Elusiveness of Full Understanding: The verse powerfully conveys that even the wisest among us cannot fully comprehend all things. It points to a humility that acknowledges an ultimate mystery, a divine wisdom that transcends human capacity. This theme resonates with the book's overarching message about the "vanity of vanities" when life is lived solely under the sun without reference to God.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "wisdom" here is chokmah (חָכְמָה), which refers to practical skill, discernment, and moral insight. The Preacher had an abundance of this. However, the phrase "it was far from me" (רָחֹוק מִמֶּנִּי – rachoq mimmenni) suggests an immense, unbridgeable distance. It's not just a little out of reach, but fundamentally unattainable by human effort alone, implying that ultimate wisdom belongs to God.

Related Scriptures

Practical Application

Ecclesiastes 7:23 calls believers to a posture of humility. While we are encouraged to seek knowledge and understanding (Proverbs 2:6), this verse reminds us that true wisdom ultimately resides with God. It encourages us not to rely solely on our own intellect or experience, but to acknowledge God's sovereignty and the limits of our own comprehension. It teaches us to trust in God's perfect plan, even when we don't fully understand it, fostering a deeper reliance on His divine revelation rather than just human reason.

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.

  • Romans 1:22

    Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

  • 1 Corinthians 1:20

    Where [is] the wise? where [is] the scribe? where [is] the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

  • 1 Kings 3:11

    And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;

  • 1 Kings 3:12

    Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.

  • Genesis 3:5

    For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

  • 1 Kings 11:1

    ¶ But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, [and] Hittites;

  • 1 Kings 11:8

    And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods.

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