"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 …" — Ecclesiastes 8:17

Ecclesiastes 8:17 · KJV

“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 8:17

Verse 16

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 — Context

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.

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:)

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}.

Cross References

Ecclesiastes 3:11

He hath made every {thing} beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

Psalms 73:16

When I thought to know this, it {was} too painful for me; {too...: Heb. labour in mine eyes}

Romans 11:33

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable {are} his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

Ecclesiastes 7:23-24

All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it {was} far from me.

Isaiah 40:28

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, {that} 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.

Job 5:9

Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number: {unsearchable: Heb. there is no search} {without...: Heb. till there be no number}

Job 11:7-9

Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?

Psalms 40:5

Many, O LORD my God, {are} thy wonderful works {which} thou hast done, and thy thoughts {which are} to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: {if} I would declare and speak {of them}, they are more than can be numbered. {they cannot...: or, none can order them unto thee}