Ecclesiastes 8:17

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.

World English Bible Classic

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 heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done on the earth (even though eyes see no sleep day or night),

Read all of Ecclesiastes 8

Cross References

Job 11:7“Can you fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty?

Psalms 73:16When I tried to understand this, it was too painful for me—

Proverbs 30:3I have not learned wisdom, neither do I have the knowledge of the Holy One.

Ecclesiastes 7:23All this I have proved in wisdom. I said, “I will be wise;” but it was far from me.

Isaiah 40:28Haven’t you known? Haven’t you heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, doesn’t faint. He isn’t weary. His understanding is unsearchable.

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 →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Ecclesiastes 8:17