Ecclesiastes 1:16

I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all [they] that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.

I communed {H1696} with mine own heart {H3820}, saying {H559}, Lo, I am come to great estate {H1431}, and have gotten {H3254} more wisdom {H2451} than all they that have been before {H6440} me in Jerusalem {H3389}: yea, my heart {H3820} had great {H7235} experience {H7200} of wisdom {H2451} and knowledge {H1847}.

I said to myself, "Look, I have acquired much wisdom, more than anyone ruling Yerushalayim before me."Yes, I experienced a great deal of wisdom and knowledge;

I said to myself, “Behold, I have grown and increased in wisdom beyond all those before me who were over Jerusalem, and my mind has observed a wealth of wisdom and knowledge.”

I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I have gotten me great wisdom above all that were before me in Jerusalem; yea, my heart hath had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.

Commentary

Ecclesiastes 1:16 captures the voice of the Preacher, traditionally identified as King Solomon, in a moment of profound introspection. He recounts his unparalleled achievements and intellectual superiority among those who reigned in Jerusalem before him, emphasizing his deep personal experience with wisdom and knowledge.

Context

This verse is part of the opening chapters of Ecclesiastes, where the Preacher, or Qoheleth (as introduced in Ecclesiastes 1:1), embarks on a grand experiment to find meaning and satisfaction in life "under the sun." Having already established the overarching theme of "vanity of vanities" in verse 2, he now details his personal qualifications for conducting this search. His vast wealth, power, and especially his renowned wisdom, position him uniquely to explore whether worldly pursuits can truly satisfy the human soul. This verse highlights his belief that he has surpassed all previous rulers in Jerusalem in the acquisition of wisdom.

Key Themes

  • Unrivaled Wisdom and Knowledge: The Preacher claims a level of wisdom and understanding that exceeds all his predecessors in Jerusalem. This aligns with historical accounts of King Solomon's divinely granted wisdom, which was said to be greater than all the wisdom of the East and Egypt (1 Kings 4:30).
  • Introspection and Self-Assessment: The phrase "I communed with mine own heart" reveals a deep, personal reflection. The Preacher isn't merely stating facts but sharing the conclusions he drew from his own internal dialogue and extensive experience. This highlights the intensely personal nature of his spiritual and philosophical journey.
  • Human Achievement and Limitations: While the verse boasts of immense intellectual achievement and high status, the broader context of Ecclesiastes subtly prepares the reader for the Preacher's ultimate conclusion: even the greatest human wisdom, apart from God, proves insufficient to provide lasting meaning or escape from life's inherent frustrations.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "communed with mine own heart" is dabar im libbi (דִּבַּר עִם־לִבִּי), literally "spoke with my heart." This signifies a deep, internal monologue, a thorough and honest self-examination rather than just a casual thought. The term "great estate" (גָּדַלְתִּי֙ - gadalti) implies having grown great or become powerful, emphasizing his elevated status and accomplishments.

Practical Application

Ecclesiastes 1:16 serves as a crucial setup for the Preacher's subsequent experiments. For us, it offers several insights:

  1. The Pursuit of Wisdom: While the Preacher possessed extraordinary wisdom, the book ultimately reveals that even the highest human intellect and knowledge cannot, on their own, provide ultimate satisfaction or answer life's deepest questions. True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10).
  2. Limits of Self-Reliance: The Preacher's profound introspection, while valuable, points to the limitations of relying solely on one's own understanding or experience. The book encourages looking beyond oneself for ultimate meaning.
  3. Understanding Life's Purpose: By showcasing the futility of even the greatest human wisdom and achievement when detached from God, this verse, in context, prepares us for the book's final admonition to fear God and keep His commandments, which is the whole duty of man.
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Cross-References

  • Ecclesiastes 2:9 (8 votes)

    So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.

  • 1 Kings 4:30 (5 votes)

    And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.

  • 1 Kings 10:7 (4 votes)

    Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen [it]: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard.

  • 2 Chronicles 2:12 (3 votes)

    Huram said moreover, Blessed [be] the LORD God of Israel, that made heaven and earth, who hath given to David the king a wise son, endued with prudence and understanding, that might build an house for the LORD, and an house for his kingdom.

  • 1 Kings 3:12 (3 votes)

    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.

  • 1 Kings 3:13 (3 votes)

    And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.

  • Hebrews 5:14 (3 votes)

    But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, [even] those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.