Ecclesiastes 8:17

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

then I saw all the work of God, that no one can understand the work that is done under the sun. Despite all their efforts to search it out, no one can comprehend it. Even if the wise claim to know, they cannot truly understand it.

Additional Resources

Other Translations

  • King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

    Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: bause 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.

  • KJV1611 – Modern English

    Then I saw all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. Even though a man labors to seek it out, he shall not find it; moreover, though a wise man thinks to know it, he shall not be able to find it.

  • King James Version 1611 (Original)

    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.

  • American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

    then I beheld{H7200} all the work{H4639} of God,{H430} that man{H120} cannot{H3201} find out{H4672} the work{H4639} that is done{H6213} under the sun:{H8121} because{H834} however{H7945} much a man{H120} labor{H5998} to seek it out,{H1245} yet he shall not find{H4672} it; yea moreover, though a wise{H2450} man think{H559} to know{H3045} it, yet shall he not be able{H3201} to find{H4672} it.

  • King James Version with Strong's Numbers

    Then I beheld{H7200}{(H8804)} all the work{H4639} of God{H430}, that a man{H120} cannot{H3201}{(H8799)} find out{H4672}{(H8800)} the work{H4639} that is done{H6213}{(H8738)} under the sun{H8121}: because{H834} though{H7945} a man{H120} labour{H5998}{(H8799)} to seek it out{H1245}{(H8763)}, yet he shall not find{H4672}{(H8799)} it; yea further; though a wise{H2450} man think{H559}{(H8799)} to know{H3045}{(H8800)} it, yet shall he not be able{H3201}{(H8799)} to find{H4672}{(H8800)} it.

  • Coverdale Bible (1535)

    I vnderstode of all ye workes of God, that it is not possible for a man, to attayne vnto ye workes that are done vnder ye Sonne: and though he bestowe his laboure to seke them out, yet can he not reach vnto the: yee though a wyse man wolde vndertake to knowe them, yet might he not fynde them.

  • Geneva Bible (1560)

    Then I behelde the whole worke of God, that man cannot finde out ye worke that is wrought vnder the sunne: for the which man laboureth to seeke it, and cannot finde it: yea, and though the wise man thinke to knowe it, he cannot finde it.

  • Bishops' Bible (1568)

    I vnderstoode of all the workes of God, but it is not possible for a man to attayne vnto the workes that are done vnder the sunne: and though he bestowe his labour to seeke them out, yet can he not reach vnto them: yea though a wyse man would vndertake to know them, yet shall he not finde them.

  • Authorized King James Version (1611)

    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].

  • Webster's Bible (1833)

    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.

  • Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

    then I considered all the work of God, that man is not able to find out the work that hath been done under the sun, because though man labour to seek, yet he doth not find; and even though the wise man speak of knowing he is not able to find.

  • American Standard Version (1901)

    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 labor 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.

  • American Standard Version (1901)

    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 labor 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.

  • Bible in Basic English (1941)

    Then I saw all the work of God, and that man may not get knowledge of the work which is done under the sun; because, if a man gives hard work to the search he will not get knowledge, and even if the wise man seems to be coming to the end of his search, still he will be without knowledge.

  • World English Bible (2000)

    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.

  • NET Bible® (New English Translation)

    then I discerned all that God has done: No one really comprehends what happens on earth. Despite all human efforts to discover it, no one can ever grasp it. Even if a wise person claimed that he understood, he would not really comprehend it.

Referenced Verses

  • Eccl 3:11 : 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, He has put eternity in the human heart, yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
  • Ps 73:16 : 16 When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply.
  • Rom 11:33 : 33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments and His ways beyond tracing out!
  • Job 5:9 : 9 He performs great and unsearchable things, wonders without number.
  • Eccl 7:23-24 : 23 All this I tested by wisdom and said, 'I will be wise,' but it was beyond me. 24 What exists is far off and exceedingly deep—who can discover it?
  • Eccl 11:5 : 5 Just as you do not know the path of the wind or how bones are formed in a pregnant woman's womb, so you cannot understand the workings of God who makes everything.
  • Isa 40:28 : 28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom.
  • Job 11:7-9 : 7 Can you search out the depths of God? Can you find out the limits of the Almighty? 8 They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol—what can you know? 9 Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.
  • Ps 40:5 : 5 Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust and does not turn to the proud or to those who follow falsehoods.
  • Ps 104:24 : 24 How many are Your works, LORD! In wisdom You made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures.
  • Prov 30:3-4 : 3 I have not learned wisdom, nor do I have knowledge of the Holy One. 4 Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his hands? Who has wrapped the waters in a cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is the name of his son? Surely you know!

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

  • Eccl 8:14-16
    3 verses
    85%

    14 There is a futility that takes place on the earth: righteous people receive what the wicked deserve, and wicked people receive what the righteous deserve. I said, 'This too is vanity.'

    15 So I praised enjoyment, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat, drink, and be glad. This will accompany them in their toil through the days of life that God has given them under the sun.

    16 When I applied my heart to know wisdom and to observe the work that is done on earth, even though people do not see sleep with their eyes day or night,

  • Eccl 1:13-15
    3 verses
    82%

    13 I set my heart to seek and explore by wisdom all that is done under the heavens. What a burdensome task God has given to the human race to occupy themselves with!

    14 I have seen all the deeds that are done under the sun; they are all meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

    15 What is crooked cannot be straightened, and what is lacking cannot be counted.

  • Eccl 2:10-12
    3 verses
    81%

    10 Anything my eyes desired, I did not withhold from them; I did not keep my heart from any pleasure. My heart took delight in all my labor, for this was my reward for all my efforts.

    11 Yet when I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, behold, everything was meaningless—a chasing after the wind. There was nothing to be gained under the sun.

    12 So I turned my attention to consider wisdom, madness, and folly. For what can anyone do who comes after the king? Only what has already been done.

  • Eccl 2:15-22
    8 verses
    81%

    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.'

    16 For the wise, like the fool, will not be remembered forever; in the days to come, everything will be forgotten. How does the wise person die? Just like the fool!

    17 So I hated life, because the work done under the sun was grievous to me. For everything is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

    18 I hated all my toil under the sun because I must leave it to the one who comes after me.

    19 And who knows whether that person will be wise or foolish? Yet they will rule over all the fruit of my labor that I have worked for under the sun. This too is meaningless.

    20 So I turned my heart to despair over all the hard work with which I had labored under the sun.

    21 For there is a person who labors with wisdom, knowledge, and skill, but then must leave everything to someone who has not worked for it. This too is meaningless and a great misfortune.

    22 What does a person gain from all their labor and from the striving of their heart under the sun?

  • Eccl 9:1
    79%

    1 So I reflected on all this and set my heart to examine it: that the righteous, the wise, and their deeds are in the hand of God. People do not know whether love or hatred awaits them; everything lies before them.

  • Eccl 6:11-12
    2 verses
    79%

    11 The more words, the more meaningless—and what advantage does that bring to anyone?

    12 For who knows what is good for a person in life, during the few days of their fleeting life? They pass like a shadow. Who can tell them what will happen under the sun after they are gone?

  • Eccl 1:17
    78%

    17 Then I set my heart to understand wisdom, as well as madness and folly, but I learned that this too is a chasing after the wind.

  • Eccl 3:22
    78%

    22 So I saw that there is nothing better than for a person to rejoice in their work, for that is their lot. Who can bring them to see what will happen after them?

  • Eccl 9:10-11
    2 verses
    78%

    10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.

    11 Again I saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor does bread come to the wise, nor riches to the discerning, nor favor to the knowledgeable; but time and chance happen to them all.

  • Eccl 3:10-12
    3 verses
    78%

    10 I have seen the burden that God has laid on the human race.

    11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, He has put eternity in the human heart, yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

    12 I know that there is nothing better for people than to rejoice and to do good while they live.

  • Eccl 1:8-9
    2 verses
    78%

    8 All things are wearisome, more than one can say. The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing.

    9 What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.

  • Eccl 7:24-25
    2 verses
    78%

    24 What exists is far off and exceedingly deep—who can discover it?

    25 I turned my mind to understand, to investigate, and to search out wisdom and the meaning of things, and to understand the stupidity of wickedness and the madness of folly.

  • Eccl 1:3
    77%

    3 What does man gain from all his labor at which he toils under the sun?

  • Eccl 8:7
    77%

    7 Since no one knows what will happen, who can tell anyone what is to come?

  • Eccl 4:4
    77%

    4 And I saw that all toil and all skill in work are driven by one person’s envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

  • Eccl 9:13
    76%

    13 I also saw this example of wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great to me.

  • Job 28:12-13
    2 verses
    76%

    12 But where can wisdom be found, and where is the place of understanding?

    13 Mankind does not know its value, nor is it found in the land of the living.

  • Eccl 8:9
    76%

    9 I observed all this as I considered all the work done under the sun: a time when one man has power over another to hurt them.

  • Eccl 4:7-8
    2 verses
    76%

    7 Again, I turned and saw meaninglessness under the sun.

    8 There was a man all alone. He had no son or brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. 'For whom am I toiling,' he asked, 'and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?' This too is meaningless—a miserable business!

  • Eccl 2:24-26
    3 verses
    75%

    24 There is nothing better for a person than to eat and drink and find enjoyment in their work. This too, I realized, is from the hand of God.

    25 For who can eat or who can enjoy life apart from Him?

    26 To the person who pleases Him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy, but to the sinner, He gives the task of gathering and storing wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

  • Eccl 4:16
    75%

    16 There is no end to all the people who were before them, yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

  • Eccl 6:7-8
    2 verses
    75%

    7 All human toil is for their mouth, yet their appetite is never satisfied.

    8 What advantage has the wise person over the fool? What does the poor person gain by knowing how to conduct themselves before the living?

  • Eccl 12:8
    75%

    8 'Utter futility,' says the Teacher. 'Everything is futile!'

  • Eccl 7:13
    75%

    13 Consider the work of God: Who can straighten what he has made crooked?

  • Eccl 7:27
    75%

    27 'See,' says the Teacher, 'this is what I have discovered, adding one thing to another to understand the scheme of things.'

  • Eccl 3:14
    74%

    14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it nor taken from it. God does this so that people will fear Him.

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