Ecclesiastes 1:18

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

כִּ֛י בְּרֹ֥ב חָכְמָ֖ה רָב־כָּ֑עַס וְיוֹסִ֥יף דַּ֖עַת יוֹסִ֥יף מַכְאֽוֹב׃

Transliteration

Kî in-rōb ḥokmāh rāb-kāʿas wəyôsîp daʿat yôsîp makʾôb

Grammar Details

• *Kî*: conjunction - for/because
• *rōb*: noun, masculine singular construct - abundance of
• *ḥokmāh*: noun, feminine singular - wisdom
• *rāb*: adjective, masculine singular construct - much/great
• *kāʿas*: noun, masculine singular - grief/vexation
• *wəyôsîp*: conjunction + verb, hiphil imperfect 3rd masculine singular - and he who increases
• *daʿat*: noun, feminine singular - knowledge
• *yôsîp*: verb, hiphil imperfect 3rd masculine singular - increases
• *makʾôb*: noun, masculine singular - pain/sorrow

Word Meanings

• *rōb*: abundance/greatness/multitude
• *kāʿas*: grief/vexation/sorrow/irritation
• *makʾôb*: pain/sorrow/anguish/suffering

Other Translations

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

• KJV1611 – Modern English

  For in much wisdom is much grief, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

• King James Version 1611 (Original)

  For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  For in much{H7230} wisdom{H2451} is much{H7230} grief;{H3708} and he that increaseth{H3254} knowledge{H1847} increaseth{H3254} sorrow.{H4341}

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  For in much{H7230} wisdom{H2451} is much{H7230} grief{H3708}: and he that increaseth{H3254}{(H8686)} knowledge{H1847} increaseth{H3254}{(H8686)} sorrow{H4341}.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  for where moch wy?dome is, there is also greate trauayle & disquietnes: & ye more knowlege a man hath, the more is his care.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  For in the multitude of wisedome is much griefe: and he that increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorowe.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  For where much wisdome is, there is also great trauayle and disquietnesse: and the more knowledge a man hath, the more is his care.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  For in much wisdom is much grief; and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  for, in abundance of wisdom `is' abundance of sadness, and he who addeth knowledge addeth pain.'

• American Standard Version (1901)

  For in much wisdom is much grief; and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  For in much wisdom is much grief; and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  Because in much wisdom is much grief, and increase of knowledge is increase of sorrow.

• World English Bible (2000)

  For in much wisdom is much grief; and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  For with great wisdom comes great frustration; whoever increases his knowledge merely increases his heartache.

Referenced Verses

• Eccl 12:12-13 : 12 But beyond these, my son, be warned: There is no end to the making of many books, and much study wearies the body. 13 Now that all has been heard, here is the conclusion: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.
• 1 Cor 3:18-20 : 18 Let no one deceive themselves. If anyone among you thinks they are wise in this age, let them become foolish so that they may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written, 'He catches the wise in their craftiness.' 20 And again, 'The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.'
• Job 28:28 : 28 And He said to mankind, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.'
• Eccl 2:15 : 15 Then I said in my heart, 'What happens to the fool will also happen to me. So why have I been so very wise?' And I concluded in my heart, 'This too is meaningless.'
• Eccl 2:23 : 23 All their days are full of sorrow, and their work is filled with grief; even at night their mind does not rest. This too is meaningless.
• Eccl 7:16 : 16 Do not be overly righteous, neither make yourself too wise—why destroy yourself?
• Jas 3:13-17 : 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show his works by his good conduct with the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not boast and deny the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. 16 For where there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom that comes from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, and sincere.