Ecclesiastes 8:17

Context

The speaker of Ecclesiastes calls himself "the Preacher" (Hebrew Qoheleth, "one who speaks in an assembly"). He has traditionally been identified with Solomon, though many modern scholars regard the author as a later writer.

In 8:16 the Preacher says that he applied his heart day and night to know wisdom and to see the business that is done upon the earth. Verse 17 states the conclusion of that inquiry. Just before, 8:14 points out the absurdity that the righteous receive what the wicked deserve and the wicked receive what the righteous deserve, and 8:15 commends eating, drinking, and being merry. The following verse, 9:1, says that the righteous and the wise and their works are "in the hand of God." In the Hebrew text, a verb meaning "to find" or "to find out" occurs three times in this verse, emphasizing that despite every effort one cannot find it out.

Interpretation

• A providence-centered reading: Many commentators, including those in the Reformed tradition, read this verse as a confession that God's providence surpasses human understanding. One can believe that God governs the world, yet one cannot know in full detail why or how He does so.
• A reading critical of wisdom: Some scholars focus on the phrase "though a wise man think to know it." They see the verse as the Preacher's critique of a wisdom tradition confident that it can explain every cause and effect in the world. On this interpretation, the verse stands in tension with the optimistic view of cause and effect found in Proverbs.
• A reading as a stance toward life: Other interpreters read the verse together with its surrounding context (8:15; 9:7–10). They understand it as part of a progression: since not everything can be known, one should enjoy the everyday life God has given and fear God, leading to the book's conclusion (Ecclesiastes 12:13–14).

Questions Concerning Application

The verse is not a matter of controversy among denominations. Several observations have, however, been made about its application.

• Some point out that using this verse as grounds for discouraging questions or scholarly inquiry does not fit its context, since the Preacher himself reached this conclusion only after "beholding" and searching to the end.
• Others caution against using the verse to hastily silence the lament or questions of those who suffer by telling them, "You can't know anyway." They argue that it should be read alongside the recognition that Scripture, as in the book of Job, deals honestly with questions raised in the face of life's absurdities.

Related Passages

• Ecclesiastes 3:11 — No man can find out the work that God does from the beginning to the end
• Ecclesiastes 11:5 — Man does not know the works of God, who makes all things
• Job 28:28 — The source of wisdom is the fear of the Lord
• Romans 11:33–36 — God's judgments are unsearchable and His ways past finding out
• Deuteronomy 29:29 — The secret things and the things that are revealed