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Ecclesiastes 8:17

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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].

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.

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.

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.

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.

Commentary

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Cross-References

  • Ecclesiastes 3:11 (9 votes)

    ¶ He hath made every [thing] beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

  • Romans 11:33 (6 votes)

    ¶ O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable [are] his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

  • Psalms 73:16 (6 votes)

    When I thought to know this, it [was] too painful for me;

  • Job 5:9 (4 votes)

    Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number:

  • Ecclesiastes 7:23 (4 votes)

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

  • Ecclesiastes 7:24 (4 votes)

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

  • Isaiah 40:28 (4 votes)

    Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, [that] the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? [there is] no searching of his understanding.