Ecclesiastes 7:28

KJV

Which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found.

KJV (with Strong's)

Which yet my soul {H5315} seeketh {H1245}, but I find {H4672} not: one {H259} man {H120} among a thousand {H505} have I found {H4672}; but a woman {H802} among all those have I not found {H4672}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I searched a long time without finding it: one man in a thousand I have found, but a woman among all those I have not found.

Berean Standard Bible

While my soul was still searching but not finding, among a thousand I have found one upright man, but among all these I have not found one such woman.

American Standard Version

which my soul still seeketh, but I have not found: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ecclesiastes 7:28 presents a profound and often challenging personal observation from the Preacher, reflecting his extensive search for true wisdom and uprightness among humanity. He laments his inability to find a perfectly righteous individual, stating that while he found one man among a thousand who met his criteria for wisdom, he found no woman among all those he encountered who did. This verse serves as a stark commentary on the pervasive nature of human sinfulness and the rarity of genuine, unblemished righteousness in a fallen world, stemming from the Preacher's own lived experience and cynical perspective.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a broader section of Ecclesiastes (chapters 7-8) where the Preacher delves into the complexities of wisdom, folly, and the human condition. He has just discussed the dangers of the "bitter woman" or "woman whose heart is snares and nets" in [Ecclesiastes 7:26](/ecclesiastes/7-26 "Ecclesiastes 7:26 - The Bitter Woman"), contrasting her with the "good man" who escapes her. The search mentioned in verse 28, "Which yet my soul seeketh," directly refers back to his pursuit of wisdom and understanding, particularly concerning the nature of good and evil among people, as stated in [Ecclesiastes 7:25](/ecclesiastes/7-25 "Ecclesiastes 7:25 - The Preacher's Search for Wisdom"). The Preacher is engaged in a deep philosophical inquiry into human morality and the elusive nature of true righteousness, often concluding with a sense of futility under the sun.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Ecclesiastes is traditionally attributed to King Solomon, who ruled Israel in the 10th century BC. His reign was marked by immense wisdom, wealth, and extensive interactions with people from various cultures, including his numerous wives and concubines, as detailed in [1 Kings 11:1-3](/1_kings/11-1 "1 Kings 11:1-3 - Solomon's Foreign Wives"). This personal history provides a crucial backdrop for interpreting the Preacher's statement. Ancient Near Eastern societies, including Israel, were patriarchal, and while women held significant roles within families and communities, their public and legal standing often differed from men's. The Preacher's observation, therefore, emerges from a specific cultural lens and personal experience, rather than a universal, timeless decree on gender. His search for "uprightness" (Hebrew: _yashar_) would have been understood within the context of covenant faithfulness and moral integrity as defined by Israelite law and wisdom traditions.
* **Key Themes:** Ecclesiastes 7:28 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book. Firstly, it underscores **The Pervasive Nature of Sin and Human Fallibility**, highlighting how rare true righteousness is among all humanity, both male and female, in a world corrupted by sin (cf. [Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")). Secondly, it emphasizes the **Elusiveness of Ultimate Wisdom and Understanding** from a purely human perspective, a recurring motif in Ecclesiastes where the Preacher often finds that much knowledge only increases sorrow ([Ecclesiastes 1:18](/ecclesiastes/1-18 "Ecclesiastes 1:18 - The Burden of Knowledge")). Thirdly, the verse reflects the Preacher's **Personal Disillusionment and Skepticism** regarding human virtue, a hallmark of his "under the sun" philosophy that often leads to a sense of vanity and futility in earthly pursuits. This personal lament is a key aspect of the book's candid exploration of life's harsh realities.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Soul (Hebrew, _nephesh'_):** From H5315, properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental); any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it. In this context, "my soul" refers to the Preacher's inner being, his very self, indicating a deep, earnest, and personal quest for understanding and truth. It signifies the intensity and sincerity of his search.
* **Man (Hebrew, _ʼâdâm'_):** From H120, from אָדַם; ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.); [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person. While _ʼâdâm_ can refer to humanity in general, its contrast with _ʼishshâh_ (woman) in this verse clearly specifies a male individual. The Preacher is speaking of a specific gendered person he has encountered.
* **Woman (Hebrew, _ʼishshâh'_):** From H802, feminine of אִישׁ or אֱנוֹשׁ; irregular plural, נָשִׁים;(used in the same wide sense as אֱנוֹשׁ); a woman; (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. This term specifically denotes a female person, again emphasizing the gendered nature of the Preacher's observation and his specific difficulty in finding an "upright" woman among his extensive experience.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not:"** This opening clause establishes the Preacher's earnest and persistent pursuit ("my soul seeketh") of something elusive. The "which" refers back to the "upright man" or "wisdom" he has been discussing in the preceding verses (e.g., [Ecclesiastes 7:25-27](/ecclesiastes/7-25 "Ecclesiastes 7:25-27 - The Preacher's Search for Wisdom and the Bitter Woman")). Despite his diligent efforts, he has been unsuccessful in fully attaining or discovering what he seeks, setting a tone of disillusionment.
* **"one man among a thousand have I found;"** Here, the Preacher presents a striking statistic from his personal observations. He claims to have found only one man out of a thousand who met his standard of "uprightness" or true wisdom. This is not a literal census but a hyperbolic expression emphasizing the extreme rarity of such an individual in his experience, highlighting the pervasive moral failings of humanity.
* **"but a woman among all those have I not found."** This is the most controversial part of the verse. Following his observation about men, the Preacher states that he has found no woman among all those he encountered who met his standard for "uprightness." Given Solomon's vast harem ([1 Kings 11:3](/1_kings/11-3 "1 Kings 11:3 - Solomon's Many Wives")), this statement is often interpreted as a deeply personal and perhaps jaded reflection on his extensive, yet disappointing, experiences with women, rather than a universal theological condemnation. It underscores his profound disillusionment with finding true virtue in either gender, though his personal experience led to a more absolute conclusion regarding women.

#### Literary Devices
Ecclesiastes 7:28 employs several literary devices to convey its stark message. The most prominent is **Hyperbole**, particularly in the phrase "one man among a thousand" and the absolute "a woman among all those have I not found." These are not meant to be taken as literal statistical findings but rather as exaggerated expressions to emphasize the extreme rarity of true righteousness and the Preacher's profound disillusionment. The verse also utilizes **Juxtaposition** by contrasting the finding of "one man" with the finding of "no woman," which serves to highlight the Preacher's specific, and arguably jaded, experience. Furthermore, the entire statement functions as a **Personal Lament** or **Observation**, reflecting the Preacher's subjective and often pessimistic "under the sun" perspective on the human condition, rather than an objective, divine declaration.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, while challenging, points to a profound theological truth about the fallen state of humanity. The Preacher's desperate search for an "upright" individual, and his limited success, underscores the universal impact of sin. It is not an indictment of one gender over another in terms of inherent moral capacity, but rather a vivid illustration of how deeply sin has permeated all of humanity, making true, consistent righteousness exceptionally rare. The Preacher's lament echoes the biblical understanding that "there is no one righteous, not even one" ([Romans 3:10](/romans/3-10 "Romans 3:10 - No One is Righteous")), and that all have fallen short of God's glory ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")). This human inability to achieve perfect righteousness on its own sets the stage for the necessity of divine intervention and grace.

* [Romans 3:10-12](/romans/3-10 "Romans 3:10-12 - No One is Righteous")
* [Psalm 14:2-3](/psalm/14-2 "Psalm 14:2-3 - God Looks Down on Humanity")
* [Isaiah 64:6](/isaiah/64-6 "Isaiah 64:6 - Our Righteous Acts Are Like Filthy Rags")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ecclesiastes 7:28, despite its controversial nature, serves as a powerful reminder of the pervasive reality of human sinfulness and the difficulty of finding true, unblemished righteousness in the world. Rather than focusing on a perceived gender bias, which is better understood as the Preacher's personal, jaded observation, we are called to recognize the universal human condition of falling short of God's perfect standard. This verse should humble us, prompting a deeper reliance on God's grace for wisdom and righteousness, rather than our own efforts or the flawed examples of others. It compels us to look inward, striving for personal integrity and godliness, knowing that true uprightness is a gift from God, cultivated through a relationship with Him, and not something easily found or achieved by human strength alone. Ultimately, it directs our gaze to the only perfectly righteous one.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Preacher's disillusionment in Ecclesiastes 7:28 challenge or confirm your own observations about human nature?**
* **In what ways does this verse highlight the universal need for God's grace and forgiveness, rather than human self-righteousness?**
* **How can we, as believers, strive for genuine wisdom and uprightness in a world where it seems rare, without falling into cynicism?**

### FAQ
**Does Ecclesiastes 7:28 teach that women are inherently less righteous than men?**

Answer: No, the verse should not be interpreted as a universal theological statement about the inherent righteousness of men versus women. Instead, it is best understood as a deeply personal and perhaps jaded observation from the Preacher, traditionally King Solomon, based on his extensive and often disappointing experiences, particularly with his numerous wives and concubines ([1 Kings 11:1-3](/1_kings/11-1 "1 Kings 11:1-3 - Solomon's Foreign Wives")). The book of Ecclesiastes often reflects a cynical "under the sun" perspective, and this verse highlights the Preacher's profound disillusionment with finding perfect human virtue in either gender. The Bible elsewhere affirms the equal capacity for sin and righteousness in both men and women, emphasizing that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ecclesiastes 7:28, with its lament over the rarity of true righteousness among humanity, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate need for Christ. The Preacher's exhaustive search and limited findings underscore the universal human inability to achieve perfect uprightness, a theme echoed throughout the Old Testament and confirmed in the New, where we learn that "there is no one righteous, not even one" ([Romans 3:10](/romans/3-10 "Romans 3:10 - No One is Righteous")). This human deficiency finds its complete fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who stands as the only perfectly righteous "man among a thousand"—indeed, the only perfectly righteous human being in all of history. He lived a sinless life, perfectly fulfilling all of God's law ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sinless High Priest")). Furthermore, through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Christ did not merely point to righteousness but became our righteousness ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Our Sin")). What the Preacher desperately sought and found only in fleeting, imperfect glimpses, God provided fully and freely in Christ, making it possible for all who believe to be declared righteous in God's sight, not by their own merit, but by faith in Him ([Philippians 3:9](/philippians/3-9 "Philippians 3:9 - Righteousness Through Faith in Christ")). Thus, the despair of Ecclesiastes 7:28 gives way to the hope and triumph found in the perfect and sufficient righteousness of Jesus Christ.

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

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 11:3

And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.

Job 33:23

If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness:

Psalms 12:1

¶ To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David. Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.

Ecclesiastes 7:23

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

Ecclesiastes 7:24

That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?

Isaiah 26:9

With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments [are] in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.