"When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also {there is that}…" — Ecclesiastes 8:16

Ecclesiastes 8:16 · KJV

“When 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:)”

— Ecclesiastes 8:16

Verse 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.

Verse 17

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}.

Ecclesiastes 8 — Context

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.

When 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:)

Cross References

Ecclesiastes 2:23

For all his days {are} sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.

Psalms 127:2

{It is} vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: {for} so he giveth his beloved sleep.

Ecclesiastes 1:13

And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all {things} that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith. {to be...: or, to afflict them}

Ecclesiastes 5:12

The sleep of a labouring man {is} sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.

Genesis 31:40

{Thus} I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes.

Ecclesiastes 8:9

All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: {there is} a time wherein one man ruleth over another to his own hurt.

Ecclesiastes 4:8

There is one {alone}, and {there is} not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet {is there} no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither {saith he}, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This {is} also vanity, yea, it {is} a sore travail.

Ecclesiastes 8:7

For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be? {when...: or, how it shall be?}