Ecclesiastes 1:13
And I applied my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under the heavens: this grievous occupation hath God given to the children of men to weary themselves therewith.
Darby Translation
In The King James Version
In Context
12I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
Cross References
Genesis 3:19In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, until thou return to the ground: for out of it wast thou taken. For dust thou art; and unto dust shalt thou return.
Proverbs 2:2so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom [and] thou apply thy heart to understanding;
Proverbs 18:1He that separateth himself seeketh [his] pleasure, he is vehement against all sound wisdom.
Proverbs 23:26My son, give me thy heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.
Ecclesiastes 1:17And I applied my heart to the knowledge of wisdom, and to the knowledge of madness and folly: I perceived that this also is a striving after the wind.
Ecclesiastes 2:26For he giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner he giveth travail to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good in God's sight. This also is vanity and pursuit of the wind.
Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 1:13-18
Vanity of Human Wisdom. 12 I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith. 14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. 15 That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered. 16 I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am… Read the whole commentary →