“I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under the sky. It is a heavy burden that GodThe Hebrew word rendered “God” is “אֱלֹהִ֑ים” (Elohim). has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with.”
— WEB
Ecclesiastes 1:13
Cited in 5 topics on this site.
Translations sourced from the public-domain WEB, KJV, and ASV. See all sources.
“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.”
— KJV
“And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven: it is a sore travail that God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised therewith.”
— ASV
Topics that cite this verse
Commentary
this sore travail--namely, that of "searching out all things done under heaven." Not human wisdom in general, which comes afterwards (Ecc 2:12, &c.), but laborious enquiries into, and speculations about, the works of men; for example, political science. As man is doomed to get his bread, so his knowledge, by the sweat of his brow (Gen 3:19) [GILL]. exercised--that is, disciplined; literally, "that they may thereby chastise, or humble themselves."
— Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary (public domain)
Newsletter
One verse, every Tuesday.
A short reflection, a single passage, three articles to read. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.