Ecclesiastes 7:23

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ecclesiastes 7:23 presents the Preacher's profound and personal confession regarding the inherent limitations of human wisdom. Despite his diligent and exhaustive pursuit of comprehensive understanding, he admits that true, ultimate wisdom remained "far from me." This verse encapsulates the book's overarching theme that human intellect, even at its peak, cannot fully grasp the complexities of life or the infinite ways of God, underscoring a necessary humility before divine mystery.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ecclesiastes 7:23 is nestled within a broader section (chapters 7-8) where the Preacher, often identified with King Solomon, systematically explores the nature of wisdom, righteousness, folly, and the challenges of existence "under the sun." Having previously contrasted the value of wisdom over folly and analyzed various aspects of human experience, he arrives at a deeply personal and reflective conclusion. This verse marks a culmination of his empirical investigation into life's enigmas, revealing that even the most dedicated intellectual pursuit cannot unlock all of God's secrets or fully comprehend the divine order. It serves as a poignant personal admission following a series of observations about the futility of human endeavor apart from God.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Traditionally attributed to King Solomon, this book reflects the pinnacle of Israelite wisdom tradition, a genre that sought to understand the world through observation, experience, and divine revelation. Solomon himself was renowned for his unparalleled wisdom, a gift from God, which enabled him to judge, discern, and compose thousands of proverbs and songs ([1 Kings 4:29-34](/1_kings/4-29 "1 Kings 4:29-34 - Solomon's Wisdom")). The cultural backdrop includes a society that highly valued wisdom for practical living, governance, and understanding moral order. Yet, even within this context of esteemed intellectual pursuit, the Preacher's confession highlights a fundamental theological truth: human wisdom, however great, is finite and cannot fully penetrate the mysteries of God's sovereign plan or the inherent brokenness of a fallen world.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Ecclesiastes. Foremost is the **Limitations of Human Wisdom**, emphasizing that even the most gifted human intellect cannot fully comprehend God's intricate design or the ultimate meaning of life. This theme is intricately linked to the **Elusiveness of Full Understanding**, as the Preacher's diligent quest for comprehensive insight ("I said, I will be wise") ultimately yields the humbling realization that such wisdom is "far from me." It underscores the **Earnest Pursuit of Wisdom** as a noble, albeit ultimately limited, human endeavor. Furthermore, it reinforces the book's consistent message about the futility of life lived solely "under the sun," apart from a transcendent reference point, echoing the refrain of [vanity](/ecclesiastes/1-2 "Ecclesiastes 1:2 - Vanity of Vanities"). Ultimately, the verse points to the **Transcendence of Divine Wisdom**, suggesting that true, ultimate understanding resides beyond human grasp, in God alone.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **proved (Hebrew, _nâçâh'_):** From H5254, a primitive root meaning "to test; by implication, to attempt; adventure, assay, prove, tempt, try." The Preacher's statement "All this have I proved" indicates an active, empirical, and exhaustive investigation. He didn't merely observe; he put life, wisdom, and various philosophies to the test, much like an experimenter assays a substance. This verb conveys a rigorous, deliberate process of examination and verification, highlighting the depth of his intellectual journey.
* **wisdom (Hebrew, _chokmâh'_):** From H2451, derived from H2449, meaning "wisdom (in a good sense); skilful, wisdom, wisely, wit." This term refers to practical skill, discernment, moral insight, and the ability to navigate life successfully. The Preacher had an abundance of this God-given wisdom ([1 Kings 4:29](/1_kings/4-29 "1 Kings 4:29 - God Gave Solomon Wisdom")). Here, it signifies the comprehensive understanding of life's complexities and God's ways that he diligently sought to master through his own intellectual faculties.
* **far (Hebrew, _râchôwq'_):** From H7350, meaning "remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially (with preposition); (a-) far (abroad, off), long ago, of old, space, great while to come." The phrase "it was far from me" conveys an immense, unbridgeable distance. It's not merely a little out of reach but fundamentally unattainable by human effort alone. This emphasizes the profound gap between human capacity and the ultimate, divine wisdom he sought, implying that such wisdom belongs exclusively to God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"All this have I proved by wisdom:"** The Preacher asserts that his conclusion is not a casual observation but the result of a thorough, systematic, and empirical investigation into the various aspects of life and human experience. He utilized his highly developed intellectual and discerning capabilities ("by wisdom") to examine and test every facet of existence and knowledge he could access. This phrase underscores his diligent and exhaustive pursuit of understanding.
* **"I said, I will be wise;"** This clause reveals the Preacher's personal ambition and determined resolve. He set out with the explicit goal of attaining complete, comprehensive wisdom—to master all knowledge and fully comprehend the mysteries of life and God's ways. It speaks to a deep internal commitment and an active, intentional effort to achieve ultimate intellectual mastery.
* **"but it was far from me."** This is the poignant and humbling climax of the verse. Despite his rigorous investigation and earnest ambition, the ultimate, all-encompassing wisdom he sought remained elusive and unattainable. The phrase "far from me" signifies an insurmountable distance, a fundamental barrier to human comprehension. It implies that certain truths and the totality of God's wisdom are beyond the grasp of even the most brilliant human mind, highlighting the inherent limits of finite intellect.

#### Literary Devices
Ecclesiastes 7:23 employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is **Confession**, as the Preacher uses first-person pronouns ("I," "me") to deliver a deeply personal and honest admission of his intellectual limitations. This autobiographical tone lends significant weight and credibility to his conclusion, as it comes from one famously endowed with extraordinary wisdom. There is also a subtle **Irony** at play: the wisest man known in the biblical narrative confesses his inability to fully attain wisdom, underscoring the paradox that true wisdom often involves recognizing the limits of one's own knowledge. The phrase "far from me" functions as **Hyperbole** or a strong **Metaphor**, emphasizing an immense, unbridgeable distance rather than a mere slight difficulty. It vividly conveys the transcendental nature of the wisdom he sought, placing it beyond human reach. Finally, the verse presents a stark **Contrast** between human aspiration ("I said, I will be wise") and divine reality ("but it was far from me"), highlighting the chasm between finite human capacity and infinite divine knowledge.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ecclesiastes 7:23 profoundly contributes to the biblical understanding of wisdom, emphasizing that ultimate wisdom is not merely accumulated knowledge or intellectual prowess but belongs uniquely to God. It serves as a powerful call to humility, reminding humanity that even the most diligent pursuit of understanding will encounter boundaries, for God's thoughts and ways are infinitely higher than our own. This verse challenges any notion of human self-sufficiency in comprehending the divine order or the complexities of existence, redirecting our gaze from human reason to divine revelation as the true source of ultimate truth. It fosters a posture of dependence on God, acknowledging that true insight comes not from our own strength but from His gracious disclosure.

* [1 Kings 4:29-31](/1_kings/4-29 "1 Kings 4:29-31 - God Gives Solomon Wisdom")
* [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts Are Higher Than Our Thoughts")
* [Romans 11:33](/romans/11-33 "Romans 11:33 - The Unsearchable Riches of God's Wisdom")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ecclesiastes 7:23 offers a timeless lesson in intellectual humility and spiritual dependence. In a world that often exalts human reason and scientific discovery, this verse serves as a vital corrective, reminding us that there are profound mysteries and divine truths that remain beyond the full grasp of our finite minds. It encourages us to diligently pursue knowledge and understanding, yet always with the recognition that true wisdom ultimately resides with God. This posture prevents intellectual arrogance and fosters a deeper reliance on God's revealed Word and His sovereign plan, even when we cannot fully comprehend it. It calls us to trust in God's perfect wisdom, which often operates in ways that defy human logic, and to find peace in the knowledge that He is good and just, even when His ways are unsearchable. Ultimately, it invites us to live by faith, acknowledging our limitations and resting in God's infinite understanding.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you define "wisdom" in your own life, and where do you primarily seek it?**
* **In what areas of life do you find yourself striving for complete understanding, only to encounter limitations?**
* **How does the Preacher's confession of intellectual limits shape your perspective on human knowledge and scientific advancement?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a greater sense of humility regarding your own understanding of God's ways?**
* **How does acknowledging the elusiveness of ultimate wisdom impact your trust in God's sovereignty, especially in confusing or difficult circumstances?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse contradict King Solomon's renowned wisdom?**

Answer: No, it does not contradict Solomon's wisdom but rather refines our understanding of it. Solomon was indeed blessed by God with extraordinary wisdom, enabling him to govern justly, discern complex matters, and compose vast amounts of proverbs and songs ([1 Kings 4:29-31](/1_kings/4-29 "1 Kings 4:29-31 - God Gives Solomon Wisdom")). However, the wisdom he received was for practical application and understanding life "under the sun." Ecclesiastes 7:23 speaks to a different kind of wisdom—a comprehensive, ultimate understanding of all God's ways and the deepest mysteries of existence, which remains elusive to even the wisest human. It highlights the distinction between God-given practical wisdom and the infinite, unsearchable wisdom that belongs to God alone.

**What kind of "wisdom" is the Preacher seeking that is "far from him"?**

Answer: The wisdom the Preacher seeks is not merely practical discernment or accumulated knowledge, which he clearly possessed in abundance. Instead, he is striving for an exhaustive, complete, and ultimate understanding of all things—the full meaning of life, the intricacies of divine providence, and the resolution of all paradoxes and injustices observed "under the sun." He desires to fully grasp the *why* behind everything, to unravel every mystery, and to comprehend God's entire counsel. This profound, comprehensive wisdom, which transcends human capacity, is what remains "far from him." It's the wisdom that fully explains the seeming futility and brokenness of the world without reference to God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ecclesiastes 7:23, with its poignant confession of the limitations of human wisdom, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Preacher's frustrated search for an elusive, comprehensive wisdom points to humanity's inherent need for a divine revelation that transcends finite intellect. In the New Testament, we discover that Christ himself is the very embodiment of this ultimate wisdom. Paul declares that Christ is "[the power of God and the wisdom of God](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ the Power and Wisdom of God")" ([1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ the Power and Wisdom of God")) and that "[in him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - In Christ are Hidden All Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge")" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - In Christ are Hidden All Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge")). What was "far from" the Preacher—the full understanding of God's purposes and the meaning of life—is made accessible and revealed in the person and work of Jesus. Through Christ, God has "[made known to us the mystery of his will](/ephesians/1-9 "Ephesians 1:9 - The Mystery of His Will Made Known")" ([Ephesians 1:9](/ephesians/1-9 "Ephesians 1:9 - The Mystery of His Will Made Known")), providing the ultimate answer to the existential questions that plagued the Preacher. The wisdom that eluded Solomon is found in knowing Christ, who is "[our wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Our Wisdom")" ([1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Our Wisdom")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.