Verse 17

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 God has made everything fit beautifully in its appropriate time, but he has also placed ignorance in the human heart so that people cannot discover what God has ordained, from the beginning to the end of their lives.
  • Ps 73:16 : 16 When I tried to make sense of this, it was troubling to me.
  • Rom 11:33 : 33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how unfathomable his ways!
  • Job 5:9 : 9 He does great and unsearchable things, marvelous things without number;
  • Eccl 7:23-24 : 23 Human Wisdom is Limited I have examined all this by wisdom; I said,“I am determined to comprehend this”– but it was beyond my grasp. 24 Whatever has happened is beyond human understanding; it is far deeper than anyone can fathom.
  • Eccl 11:5 : 5 Just as you do not know the path of the wind, or how the bones form in the womb of a pregnant woman, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything.
  • Isa 40:28 : 28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is an eternal God, the Creator of the whole earth. He does not get tired or weary; there is no limit to his wisdom.
  • Job 11:7-9 : 7 “Can you discover the essence of God? Can you find out the perfection of the Almighty? 8 It is higher than the heavens– what can you do? It is deeper than Sheol– what can you know? 9 Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
  • Ps 40:5 : 5 O LORD, my God, you have accomplished many things; you have done amazing things and carried out your purposes for us. No one can thwart you! I want to declare them and talk about them, but they are too numerous to recount!
  • Ps 104:24 : 24 How many living things you have made, O LORD! You have exhibited great skill in making all of them; the earth is full of the living things you have made.
  • Prov 30:3-4 : 3 I have not learned wisdom, nor can I have knowledge of the Holy One. 4 Who has ascended into heaven, and then descended? Who has gathered up the winds in his fists? Who has bound up the waters in his cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son’s name? Surely you can know!