Ecclesiastes 8:17

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 labour 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.

Revised Version 1895

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 mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes:)

Read all of Ecclesiastes 8

Cross References

Job 11:7Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?

Psalms 73:16When I thought how I might know this, it was too painful for me;

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

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

Isaiah 40:28Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard? 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.

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