Ecclesiastes 8:17

Then I studied everything God does, and I realized that no one can fully understand what happens here. However hard they try, however wise they claim to be, they can't really comprehend it.

Free Bible Version

In The 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.

In Context

16When I applied my mind to discovering wisdom and observing everything people do here on earth, I couldn't get any sleep, day or night.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 8

Cross References

Job 11:7Can you find out the mysteries of God? Can you discover all the wisdom of the Almighty?

Psalms 73:16So I thought about it and tried to understand, but it looked like a lot of hard work to me—

Proverbs 30:3I have not learned wisdom; I have no knowledge of the Holy One.

Ecclesiastes 7:23I have examined all this using the principles of wisdom. I told myself, “I will think wisely.” But wisdom eluded me.

Isaiah 40:28Don't you know? Haven't you heard? The Lord is the eternal God, the Creator of the whole earth. He's never weak or tired; you can't find out all he knows.

Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 8:15-17

The Mysteries of Providence. 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… Read the whole commentary →

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Study Ecclesiastes 8:17