TRV
Translation
King James Version
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.
KJV (with Strong's)
Then I beheld H7200 all the work H4639 of God H430, that a man H120 cannot H3201 find out H4672 the work H4639 that is done H6213 under the sun H8121: because H834 though H7945 a man H120 labour H5998 to seek it out H1245, yet he shall not find H4672 it; yea further; though a wise H2450 man think H559 to know H3045 it, yet shall he not be able H3201 to find H4672 it.
Complete Jewish Bible
then, on looking over all of God's work, I realized that it is impossible to grasp all the activity taking place under the sun; because even if a person works hard at searching it out, he won't grasp it; and even if a wise person thinks he knows it, he still won't be able to grasp it.
Berean Standard Bible
I saw every work of God, and that a man is unable to comprehend the work that is done under the sun. Despite his efforts to search it out, he cannot find its meaning; even if the wise man claims to know, he is unable to comprehend.
American Standard Version
then I beheld all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because however much a man labor to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea moreover, though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.
World English Bible Messianic
then I saw all the work of God, that man can’t find out the work that is done under the sun, because however much a man labors to seek it out, yet he won’t find it. Yes even though a wise man thinks he can comprehend it, he won’t be able to find it.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Then I behelde the whole worke of God, that man cannot finde out ye worke that is wrought vnder the sunne: for the which man laboureth to seeke it, and cannot finde it: yea, and though the wise man thinke to knowe it, he cannot finde it.
Young's Literal Translation
then I considered all the work of God, that man is not able to find out the work that hath been done under the sun, because though man labour to seek, yet he doth not find; and even though the wise man speak of knowing he is not able to find.
See also
In the KJVVerse 17,476 of 31,102
Study This Verse
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 8:17 encapsulates the Preacher's (Qoheleth's) profound and humbling conclusion regarding the ultimate incomprehensibility of God's comprehensive activity in the world. Despite humanity's most diligent intellectual efforts, intense labor, or the deepest wisdom, the full scope and meaning of God's providential work "under the sun" remain an unsearchable mystery. This verse serves as a powerful summation of the book's recurring theme concerning the inherent limitations of human knowledge when confronted with the infinite wisdom and sovereign ways of the divine.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Ecclesiastes 8:17 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of human limitation in comprehending divine work. The most prominent is Repetition, particularly the emphatic reiteration of "shall not find [it]" and "shall not be able to find [it]." This serves to underscore the absolute and undeniable impossibility of human comprehension regarding God's work, leaving no room for doubt or exception. The verse also utilizes a form of Parallelism, contrasting the diligent "labour" of the ordinary man and the intellectual "thought" of the "wise man" with the identical outcome of failure to "find out" God's work. This highlights the universality of human limitation, regardless of one's effort or intelligence. The phrase "under the sun" acts as a recurring Idiom throughout Ecclesiastes, consistently framing the Preacher's observations from a purely earthly, human-centric perspective, thereby emphasizing the limitations of understanding when confined to this temporal realm. Finally, the verse uses Hyperbole or extreme emphasis to convey the depth of the mystery, suggesting that God's work is not merely difficult to understand, but fundamentally unknowable by human means alone.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ecclesiastes 8:17 stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of God and humanity. It asserts God's ultimate transcendence and sovereignty, portraying His "work" as infinitely complex and beyond the grasp of finite human intellect. This does not imply that God is arbitrary or chaotic, but rather that His ways operate on a plane far removed from human comprehension, governed by a wisdom that is unsearchable and perfect. For humanity, this verse serves as a crucial reminder of our inherent limitations and the vanity of intellectual pride. It calls for a posture of humility and reverence before the divine mystery, recognizing that true wisdom begins not with exhaustive understanding, but with the acknowledgment of God's incomprehensible greatness. This theological truth encourages a faith that trusts in God's character and purposes, even when His specific actions or the reasons behind them remain veiled.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ecclesiastes 8:17 offers a liberating truth for the modern believer, especially in an age that often prioritizes human reason and control. It invites us to release the burden of needing to understand every detail of God's plan or the "why" behind every circumstance, particularly in the face of suffering, injustice, or unanswered questions. Instead, it calls us to cultivate a deep, abiding trust in God's character—His goodness, wisdom, and sovereign control—even when His ways are inscrutable. This humility fosters a spirit of worship, acknowledging that God is God, and we are not. It shifts our focus from exhaustive comprehension to faithful obedience, reminding us that our peace and purpose are found not in unraveling divine mysteries, but in walking humbly with our God, trusting that He is working all things according to His perfect will, even when we cannot discern the intricate patterns of His "work under the sun." This verse encourages us to rest in the knowledge that while we may not "find out" all of God's work, He knows all of ours, and He is faithful.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does this verse discourage seeking knowledge or wisdom?
Answer: No, Ecclesiastes 8:17 does not discourage the pursuit of knowledge or wisdom in general. The book of Ecclesiastes itself is a product of deep intellectual and philosophical inquiry, and it frequently praises wisdom as valuable Ecclesiastes 7:11-12. Rather, this verse highlights the limits of human wisdom and effort when applied to fully comprehending the ultimate "work of God"—His overarching providential plan, the mysteries of divine justice, and the ultimate meaning of existence. It's a statement about the boundary between finite human capacity and infinite divine wisdom, not a condemnation of intellectual pursuit within its proper bounds.
How does this verse relate to God's justice or apparent injustice?
Answer: This verse directly follows Qoheleth's struggle with the problem of injustice, where the righteous suffer and the wicked prosper "under the sun" Ecclesiastes 8:14. Ecclesiastes 8:17 is Qoheleth's conclusion regarding his inability to reconcile these observations with his understanding of a just God. It suggests that the full scope of God's justice, its timing, and its outworking are part of His "work" that humans cannot fully "find out." This doesn't negate God's justice but places it within a divine framework that transcends human understanding, requiring faith rather than full intellectual comprehension.
What is the significance of "under the sun" in this verse and the book of Ecclesiastes?
Answer: The phrase "under the sun" (Hebrew: tahat hashshemesh) is a hallmark of Ecclesiastes, appearing over 25 times. It consistently defines the Preacher's perspective as one limited to earthly observation and human experience, without explicit reference to divine revelation or an eternal perspective. In Ecclesiastes 8:17, "the work that is done under the sun" refers to God's activity as it is perceived and experienced from a purely human, temporal viewpoint. The significance is that from this limited vantage point, God's work remains inscrutable. It implies that a full understanding might only be possible from a transcendent, divine perspective, or through divine revelation that goes beyond mere human observation.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ecclesiastes 8:17, with its somber declaration of humanity's inherent inability to "find out the work of God," finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Qoheleth laments the unsearchable mystery of God's ways "under the sun," the New Testament reveals that God has, in Christ, unveiled the very "mystery of His will" Ephesians 1:9. Jesus Himself is described as the one "in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" Colossians 2:3. What humanity could not discover through labor or wisdom, God graciously revealed through His Son. The ultimate "work of God" is not an inscrutable cosmic plan, but the redemptive work accomplished through Christ's life, death, and resurrection, culminating in the call to "believe in him whom he has sent" John 6:29. The "wise man" who thinks to know God's work by human intellect alone will indeed fail, as Qoheleth states, but the "foolishness of God is wiser than men" 1 Corinthians 1:25, and in Christ, God's wisdom is made manifest, accessible not through human striving, but through faith. Thus, the mystery that baffled Qoheleth is not fully eradicated, but it is met and overcome by God's self-revelation in the incarnate Son, who provides the ultimate key to understanding God's profound and loving purposes.