TRV
Translation
King James Version
When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes:)
Complete Jewish Bible
When I applied myself to gain wisdom and to observe how people occupy themselves on earth, that people's eyes don't see sleep either by day or by night,
Berean Standard Bible
When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to observe the task that one performs on the earth—though his eyes do not see sleep in the day or even in the night—
American Standard Version
When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes),
World English Bible Messianic
When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done on the earth (for also there is that neither day nor night sees sleep with his eyes),
Geneva Bible (1599)
When I applied mine heart to knowe wisedome, and to behold the busines that is done on earth, that neither day nor night the eyes of man take sleepe,
Young's Literal Translation
When I gave my heart to know wisdom and to see the business that hath been done on the earth, (for there is also a spectator in whose eyes sleep is not by day and by night),
See also
In the KJVVerse 17,475 of 31,102
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Commentary on Ecclesiastes 8 verses 14–17
14 ¶ There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity.
15 Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.
16 When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes:)
17 Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea further; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.
Wise and good men have, of old, been perplexed with this difficulty, how the prosperity of the wicked and the troubles of the righteous can be reconciled with the holiness and goodness of the God that governs the world. Concerning this Solomon here gives us his advice.
I. He would not have us to be surprised at it, as though some strange thing happened, for he himself saw it in his days, Ecc 8:14. 1. He saw just men to whom it happened according to the work of the wicked, who, notwithstanding their righteousness, suffered very hard things, and continued long to do so, as if they were to be punished for some great wickedness. 2. He saw wicked men to whom it happened according to the work of the righteous, who prospered as remarkably as if they had been rewarded for some good deed, and that from themselves, from God, from men. We see the just troubled and perplexed in their own minds, the wicked easy, fearless, and secure, - the just crossed and afflicted by the divine Providence, the wicked prosperous, successful, and smiled upon, - the just, censured, reproached, and run down, by the higher powers, the wicked applauded and preferred.
II. He would have us to take occasion hence, not to charge God with iniquity, but to charge the world with vanity. No fault is to be found with God; but, as to the world, This is vanity upon the earth, and again, This is also vanity, that is, it is a certain evidence that the things of this world are not the best things nor were ever designed to make a portion and happiness for us, for, if they had, God would not have allotted so much of this world's wealth to his worst enemies and so much of its troubles to his best friends; there must therefore be another life after this the joys and griefs of which must be real and substantial, and able to make men truly happy or truly miserable, for this world does neither.
III. He would have us not to fret and perplex ourselves about it, or make ourselves uneasy, but cheerfully to enjoy what God has given us in the world, to be content with it and make the best of it, though it be much better with others, and such as we think very unworthy (Ecc 8:15): Then I commended joy, a holy security and serenity of mind, arising from a confidence in God, and his power, providence, and promise, because a man has no better thing under the sun (though a good man has much better things above the sun) than to eat and drink, that is, soberly and thankfully to make use of the things of this life according as his rank is, and to be cheerful, whatever happens, for that shall abide with him of his labour. That is all the fruit he has for himself of the pains that he takes in the business of the world; let him therefore take it, and much good may it do him; and let him not deny himself that, out of a peevish discontent because the world does not go as he would have it. That shall abide with him during the days of his life which God gives him under the sun. Our present life is a life under the sun, but we look for the life of the world to come, which will commence and continue when the sun shall be turned into darkness and shine no more. This present life must be reckoned by days; this life is given us, and the days of it are allotted to us, by the counsel of God, and therefore while it does last we must accommodate ourselves to the will of God and study to answer the ends of life.
IV. He would not have us undertake to give a reason for that which God does, for his way is in the sea and his path in the great waters, past finding out, and therefore we must be contentedly and piously ignorant of the meaning of God's proceedings in the government of the world, Ecc 8:16, Ecc 8:17. Here he shows, 1. That both he himself and many others had very closely studied the point, and searched far into the reasons of the prosperity of the wicked and the afflictions of the righteous. He, for his part, had applied his heart to know this wisdom, and to see the business that is done, by the divine Providence, upon the earth, to find out if there were any certain scheme, any constant rule or method, by which the affairs of this lower world were administered, any course of government as sure and steady as the course of nature, so that by what is done now we might as certainly foretel what will be done next as by the moon's changing now we can foretel when it will be at the full; this he would fain have found out. Others had likewise set themselves to make this enquiry with so close an application that they could not find time for sleep, either day or night, nor find in their hearts to sleep, so full of anxiety were they about these things. Some think Solomon speaks of himself, that he was so eager in prosecuting this great enquiry that he could not sleep for thinking of it. 2. That it was all labour in vain, Ecc 8:17. When we look upon all the works of God and his providence, and compare one part with another, we cannot find that there is any such certain method by which the work that is done under the sun is directed; we cannot discover any key by which to decipher the character, nor by consulting precedents can we know the practice of this court, nor what the judgment will be. [1.] Though a man be ever so industrious, thou he labour to seek it out. [2.] Though he be ever so ingenious, though he be a wise man in other things, and can fathom the counsels of kings themselves and trace them by their footsteps. Nay, [3.] Though he be very confident of success, though he think to know it, yet he shall not; he cannot find it out. God's ways are above ours, nor is he tied to his own former ways, but his judgments are a great deep.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 14–17. Public domain.
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JeromeAD 420
Commentary on Ecclesiastes
"When I
applied my heart to see wisdom and work which takes place on earth- for even
day or night its eyes see no sleep. And
I perceived all the work of God. Indeed
man cannot fathom the events that occur under the sun, inasmuch as man tries
strenuously to search, but cannot fathom it.
And even though a wise man should presume to know, he cannot know
it. "He searches for the causes and understanding of the
world, why this or that is done, and for what reason the world is steered by
good or bad turns of events; why one is born blind and frail, another born
healthy and with sight; why one is poor, another rich; why one is of high
birth, another inglorious. Nothing else
is of use, unless he is tortured in his search, and has an argument instead of
anguish, but he does not find what he is looking for. And when he says that he knows, then he has
the beginning of ignorance in him, and starts to sink into deeper madness. But he shows later that justice is the cause
of all things, why things happen the way they do, but that those causes hide in
secret and are not able to be understood by men.
CHAPTER 9
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Ecclesiastes 8:16 captures Qoheleth's profound and exhaustive dedication to comprehending the intricate realities of life and the ceaseless human activity "under the sun." The Preacher recounts his relentless pursuit of wisdom and understanding, a quest so consuming that it deprives him of rest, illustrating the intense, often burdensome, nature of seeking ultimate answers within the confines of human experience. This verse encapsulates the Preacher's deep intellectual and spiritual striving, serving as a poignant prelude to his climactic admission regarding the limits of human knowledge concerning God's inscrutable ways.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Ecclesiastes 8:16 employs several literary devices to convey its message. Hyperbole is evident in the phrase "neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes," which dramatically emphasizes the extreme, relentless nature of the Preacher's (or humanity's) intellectual and physical toil. While not necessarily literal 24/7 sleeplessness, it powerfully conveys an all-consuming dedication. Metonymy is present in "applied mine heart," where "heart" stands for the entire inner person—intellect, will, and emotions—highlighting a holistic commitment. The verse also functions as an Observation or Empirical Statement, as Qoheleth recounts his direct experience and careful scrutiny of the world, a hallmark of his philosophical method throughout the book.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ecclesiastes 8:16 encapsulates the human struggle to comprehend divine wisdom and the complexities of a fallen world. It underscores the theme of human limitation, particularly in understanding God's sovereign plan and the true meaning behind earthly "business." Despite intense intellectual and spiritual exertion, humanity's capacity to fully grasp the divine economy remains inherently constrained. This verse sets the stage for the Preacher's ultimate conclusion: true wisdom lies not in exhaustive human comprehension of every earthly mystery, but in reverent submission to God.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ecclesiastes 8:16 offers a profound mirror for contemporary life, revealing the human tendency to relentlessly strive for understanding and control, often to the point of exhaustion. In a world that prizes productivity, knowledge, and problem-solving, Qoheleth's experience reminds us that there are limits to what human effort and intellect can achieve, especially when it comes to the deeper mysteries of life, suffering, and divine providence. This verse calls us to a humble realism: while diligence in seeking wisdom is commendable, an obsessive pursuit of answers to every question, particularly those pertaining to God's inscrutable ways, can lead to weariness rather than peace. True rest and contentment often come from acknowledging our limitations and trusting in a God whose thoughts are higher than our thoughts, and whose ways are beyond our full comprehension. It invites us to release the burden of needing to understand everything, finding freedom in faith.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "applied mine heart to know wisdom" truly mean in this context?
Answer: "Applied mine heart" (Hebrew: natan lev) signifies a profound, holistic, and intentional commitment of one's entire inner being—intellect, emotions, and will—to the pursuit of understanding. It's not a casual inquiry but an all-consuming, dedicated quest to grasp the deepest truths of life and the nature of existence, as Qoheleth describes in Ecclesiastes 1:13.
What is the "business that is done upon the earth" and why is it significant?
Answer: The "business" (Hebrew: ʻinyân) refers to the full spectrum of human activity, toil, and preoccupation. In Ecclesiastes, this term often carries a connotation of burden, vexation, or weariness. It highlights the ceaseless, often repetitive, and ultimately unsatisfying nature of human striving and labor "under the sun," which Qoheleth observes throughout the book, as seen in passages like Ecclesiastes 4:4.
Does this verse suggest that seeking wisdom is futile?
Answer: Not entirely. While the verse highlights the exhaustive and ultimately limited nature of human wisdom in fully comprehending God's work, it doesn't negate the value of seeking wisdom. Instead, it refines the pursuit. Qoheleth's conclusion in Ecclesiastes 12:13 is that true wisdom lies in fearing God and keeping His commandments, rather than in an exhaustive intellectual grasp of every earthly mystery. The pursuit itself is diligent, but its ultimate end points beyond human capacity.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ecclesiastes 8:16, with its depiction of Qoheleth's relentless and ultimately exhausting pursuit of wisdom and understanding of the "business" of the world, finds its profound fulfillment in Christ. The Preacher's sleepless striving highlights humanity's inherent inability to find ultimate answers or rest through its own intellectual or physical toil. In contrast, Jesus Christ is revealed as the very embodiment of divine wisdom, in whom "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3). While Qoheleth toiled without finding full rest or comprehension, Christ offers both. He invites all who are "weary and heavy-laden" to "come to me, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). The "business" of the world, with its burdens and futility, is transformed in Christ, who has accomplished the ultimate work of redemption, bringing true purpose and meaning. He is not merely the object of wisdom's pursuit but the source of wisdom itself (1 Corinthians 1:30), offering a rest that the Preacher's striving could never achieve, a peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).