Ecclesiastes 7:24
Ecclesiastes 7:24 in Multiple Translations
What exists is out of reach and very deep. Who can fathom it?
That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?
That which is, is far off and exceeding deep; who can find it out?
Far off is true existence, and very deep; who may have knowledge of it?
Everything that exists is beyond our grasp—too deep for our understanding. Who can comprehend it?
For often times also thine heart knoweth that thou likewise hast cursed others.
Far off [is] that which hath been, and deep, deep, who doth find it?
That which is, is far off and exceedingly deep. Who can find it out?
That which is far off, and exceedingly deep, who can find it out?
I have tried all things in wisdom. I have said: I will be wise: and it departed farther from me,
Wisdom seems to be far from me; there is no one [RHQ] who can truly understand everything.
Berean Amplified Bible — Ecclesiastes 7:24
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Ecclesiastes 7:24 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
רָח֖וֹק
מַה
שֶּׁ/הָיָ֑ה
וְ/עָמֹ֥ק
עָמֹ֖ק
מִ֥י
יִמְצָאֶֽ/נּוּ
רָח֖וֹק
râchôwq
H7350
distant
Adj
מַה
mâh
H4100
what?
Part
שֶּׁ/הָיָ֑ה
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Rel | V-Qal-Perf-3ms
וְ/עָמֹ֥ק
ʻâmôq
H6013
deep
Conj | Adj
עָמֹ֖ק
ʻâmôq
H6013
deep
Adj
מִ֥י
mîy
H4310
who?
Part
יִמְצָאֶֽ/נּוּ
mâtsâʼ
H4672
to find
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ecclesiastes 7:24
רָח֖וֹק
râchôwq
H7350
"distant"
Adj
This Hebrew word means something or someone is far away, either physically or in time. It is often used to describe distant lands or events that happened long ago. In the Bible, it appears in books like Genesis and Psalms.
Definition: adj 1) remote, far, distant, distant lands, distant ones 1a) of distance, time n m 2) distance 2a) from a distance (with prep) Aramaic equivalent: ra.chiq (רְחִיק "far" H7352)
Usage: Occurs in 85 OT verses. KJV: (a-) far (abroad, off), long ago, of old, space, great while to come. See also: Genesis 22:4; Psalms 65:6; Psalms 10:1.
מַה
mâh
H4100
"what?"
Part
This Hebrew word means what or how, often used to ask questions or express surprise, like in Genesis when God asks Adam what he has done. It can also mean why or when, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in many KJV translations, including how or what.
Definition: interr pron 1) what, how, of what kind 1a) (interrogative) 1a1) what? 1a2) of what kind 1a3) what? (rhetorical) 1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what 1b) (adverb) 1b1) how, how now 1b2) why 1b3) how! (exclamation) 1c) (with prep) 1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means? 1c2) because of what? 1c3) the like of what? 1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often? 1c3b) for how long? 1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose? 1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore? indef pron 2) anything, aught, what may
Usage: Occurs in 655 OT verses. KJV: how (long, oft, (-soever)), (no-) thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing), whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why. See also: Genesis 2:19; Numbers 21:5; 1 Samuel 19:5.
שֶּׁ/הָיָ֑ה
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Rel | V-Qal-Perf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
וְ/עָמֹ֥ק
ʻâmôq
H6013
"deep"
Conj | Adj
Means deep, describing something that is physically or emotionally profound, like the depths of the ocean or a mysterious situation, as seen in Psalm 36:6. It can also describe something that is unsearchable or hard to understand. This concept is used to convey a sense of awe or wonder.
Definition: 1) deep, mysterious, depths 1a) deep 1b) unsearchable
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: ([idiom] exceeding) deep (thing). See also: Leviticus 13:3; Job 12:22; Psalms 64:7.
עָמֹ֖ק
ʻâmôq
H6013
"deep"
Adj
Means deep, describing something that is physically or emotionally profound, like the depths of the ocean or a mysterious situation, as seen in Psalm 36:6. It can also describe something that is unsearchable or hard to understand. This concept is used to convey a sense of awe or wonder.
Definition: 1) deep, mysterious, depths 1a) deep 1b) unsearchable
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: ([idiom] exceeding) deep (thing). See also: Leviticus 13:3; Job 12:22; Psalms 64:7.
מִ֥י
mîy
H4310
"who?"
Part
This word is used to ask questions like who, whose, or whom. It can also be used to express a wish, like would that or whoever. It appears in many forms throughout the Bible, often in phrases like O that or what.
Definition: who?, whose?, whom?, would that, whoever, whosoever
Usage: Occurs in 342 OT verses. KJV: any (man), [idiom] he, [idiom] him, [phrase] O that! what, which, who(-m, -se, -soever), [phrase] would to God. See also: Genesis 3:11; 2 Samuel 15:4; Psalms 4:7.
יִמְצָאֶֽ/נּוּ
mâtsâʼ
H4672
"to find"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms | Suff
Matsa means to find or attain something, whether it is a physical object, a person, or a condition, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to find, attain to 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to find 1a1a) to find, secure, acquire, get (thing sought) 1a1b) to find (what is lost) 1a1c) to meet, encounter 1a1d) to find (a condition) 1a1e) to learn, devise 1a2) to find out 1a2a) to find out 1a2b) to detect 1a2c) to guess 1a3) to come upon, light upon 1a3a) to happen upon, meet, fall in with 1a3b) to hit 1a3c) to befall 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be found 1b1a) to be encountered, be lighted upon, be discovered 1b1b) to appear, be recognised 1b1c) to be discovered, be detected 1b1d) to be gained, be secured 1b2) to be, be found 1b2a) to be found in 1b2b) to be in the possession of 1b2c) to be found in (a place), happen to be 1b2d) to be left (after war) 1b2e) to be present 1b2f) to prove to be 1b2g) to be found sufficient, be enough 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to find, attain 1c2) to cause to light upon, come upon, come 1c3) to cause to encounter 1c4) to present (offering)
Usage: Occurs in 425 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] be able, befall, being, catch, [idiom] certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion, out), get (hold upon), [idiom] have (here), be here, hit, be left, light (up-) on, meet (with), [idiom] occasion serve, (be) present, ready, speed, suffice, take hold on. See also: Genesis 2:20; Deuteronomy 22:3; 2 Kings 9:35.
Study Notes — Ecclesiastes 7:24
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Ecclesiastes 7:24 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ecclesiastes 7:24
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ecclesiastes 7:24
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 7:24
- Trapp's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 7:24
- Ellicott's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 7:24
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 7:24
- Cambridge Bible on Ecclesiastes 7:24
- Barnes' Notes on Ecclesiastes 7:24
- Whedon's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 7:24
- Sermons on Ecclesiastes 7:24
Context — The Limits of Human Wisdom
22For you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others.
23All this I tested by wisdom, saying, “I resolve to be wise.” But it was beyond me.
24What exists is out of reach and very deep. Who can fathom it?
25I directed my mind to understand, to explore, to search out wisdom and explanations, and to understand the stupidity of wickedness and the folly of madness. 26And I find more bitter than death the woman who is a snare, whose heart is a net, and whose hands are chains. The man who pleases God escapes her, but the sinner is ensnared.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Romans 11:33 | O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways! |
| 2 | 1 Timothy 6:16 | He alone is immortal and dwells in unapproachable light. No one has ever seen Him, nor can anyone see Him. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen. |
| 3 | Isaiah 55:8–9 | “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. |
| 4 | Psalms 139:6 | Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. |
| 5 | Job 28:28 | And He said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’” |
| 6 | Job 11:7–8 | Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol—what can you know? |
| 7 | Psalms 36:6 | Your righteousness is like the highest mountains; Your judgments are like the deepest sea. O LORD, You preserve man and beast. |
| 8 | Job 28:12–23 | But where can wisdom be found, and where does understanding dwell? No man can know its value, nor is it found in the land of the living. The ocean depths say, ‘It is not in me,’ while the sea declares, ‘It is not with me.’ It cannot be bought with gold, nor can its price be weighed out in silver. It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire. Neither gold nor crystal can compare to it, nor jewels of fine gold be exchanged for it. Coral and quartz are unworthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond rubies. Topaz from Cush cannot compare to it, nor can it be valued in pure gold. From where then does wisdom come, and where does understanding dwell? It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing and concealed from the birds of the air. Abaddon and Death say, ‘We have heard a rumor about it.’ But God understands its way, and He knows its place. |
| 9 | Deuteronomy 30:11–14 | For this commandment I give you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. It is not in heaven, that you should need to ask, ‘Who will ascend into heaven to get it for us and proclaim it, that we may obey it?’ And it is not beyond the sea, that you should need to ask, ‘Who will cross the sea to get it for us and proclaim it, that we may obey it?’ But the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you may obey it. |
Ecclesiastes 7:24 Summary
This verse is saying that there are some things in life that are just too hard for us to understand, no matter how hard we try. It's like trying to reach the bottom of a very deep ocean - it's just out of our grasp (Psalm 36:6). The writer is acknowledging that true wisdom and knowledge are beyond human understanding, and that we need to trust in God's sovereignty and guidance (Proverbs 3:5-6). By recognizing the limits of our own knowledge, we can learn to trust in God's wisdom and ways, even when we don't fully understand them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for something to be 'out of reach and very deep'?
In Ecclesiastes 7:24, the writer is expressing the idea that true wisdom and understanding are beyond human grasp, much like the depths of the ocean (Psalm 36:6) or the complexity of God's ways (Romans 11:33).
Is the writer of Ecclesiastes saying that we should give up trying to understand God's ways?
No, the writer is not suggesting that we should give up seeking wisdom, but rather acknowledging the limits of human understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6) and the need for humility in our pursuit of knowledge (Isaiah 55:9).
How does this verse relate to the rest of the book of Ecclesiastes?
This verse is part of the writer's broader exploration of the nature of wisdom, knowledge, and the human condition, as he seeks to understand the meaning of life 'under the sun' (Ecclesiastes 1:3, 8:15).
What can we learn from the writer's admission of the depths of human ignorance?
The writer's humility and recognition of the limits of human knowledge can teach us to approach God and the world with a sense of awe, reverence, and dependence on divine guidance (Proverbs 2:6, Jeremiah 9:23-24).
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I have been trying to grasp or understand things that are beyond my reach, and how can I learn to trust God in those areas?
- In what ways have I experienced the 'depth' of God's wisdom and ways, and how has that impacted my faith and trust in Him?
- How can I cultivate a sense of humility and recognition of my own limitations, and what role does that play in my relationship with God?
- What are some ways that I can seek wisdom and understanding, while also acknowledging the limits of human knowledge and the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty?
Gill's Exposition on Ecclesiastes 7:24
That which is far off,.... Or, "far off [is] that which has been" (g).
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ecclesiastes 7:24
That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out? That which is far off ... Hengstenberg translates, 'Far off is that which is;' i:e., wisdom's aim, absolute being.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 7:24
No human wit can attain to perfect wisdom, or to the exact knowledge of God’ s counsels and-works, and the reasons of them, because they are unsearchably deep, and far above our sight; some of them being long since past, and therefore, utterly unknown to us, and others yet to come, which we cannot foreknow.
Trapp's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 7:24
Ecclesiastes 7:24 That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?Ver. 24. That which is far of and exceeding deep.] Not the minions of the muses, Mentemque habere queis bonam, et esse corculis datum est. For though they should eviscerate themselves, like spiders, crack their sconces, or study themselves to death, yet can they not "understand all mysteries and all knowledge" in natural things, how much less in supernatural! whereas weak sighted and sand blind persons, the more they strain their eyes to discern a thing perfectly, the less they see of it, as Vives hath observed. It is utterly impossible for a mere naturalist, that cannot tell the form, the quintessence, that cannot enter into the depth of the flower, or the grass he treads on, to have the wit to enter into the deep things of God, "the mystery of Christ which was hid" from angels till the discovery, and since that they are still students in it. David, though he saw further than his ancients, yet he was still to seek of that which might be known. Even as those great discoverers of the newly found lands in America, at their return were wont to confess, that there was still a plus ultra, something more beyond yet. Not only in innumerable other things am I very ignorant, saith Augustine, but also in the very Scriptures, multo plura nescio quam scio, I am ignorant of many more things by odds than I yet understand. This present life is like the vale of Sciaessa, near unto the town called Patrae, of which Solinus saith, that it is famous for nothing but for its darksomeness, as being continually overcast with the shadows of nine hills that do surround it, so that the sun can hardly cast a beam of light into it. Properemus ad coelestem Academiam, Let us hasten to the university of heaven, where the least child knows a thousand times more than the deepest doctor upon earth. Dousa.
L. Vives in Aug. de Civ. Dei, lib. ii. c. 8. Aug., Epist. Poly. Hist., c. 12.
Ellicott's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 7:24
(24) Rather translate, “That which is, is far off.” The phrase, “that which is,” or “hath been,” to denote the existing constitution of the universe, occurs in Ecclesiastes 1:9, Ecclesiastes 3:15. (See Ecclesiastes 8:17.)
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 7:24
Verse 24. That which is far off] Though the wisdom that is essential to our salvation may be soon learned, through the teaching of the Spirit of wisdom, yet in wisdom itself there are extents and depths which none can reach or fathom.
Cambridge Bible on Ecclesiastes 7:24
24. That which is far off and exceeding deep] The English of the latter clause scarcely expresses the Hebrew more emphatic iteration and deep deep. By some interpreters a like iteration is supplied in the first clause, far off is that which is far, but there does not seem adequate ground for thus altering the text. Rather are the first words to be taken of substantial being, far off from us is that which is (the τὰὄντα of Greek thought, the sum total of things past and present). So in another and later Jewish book impregnated, like this, with Greek thought, wisdom is described as a τῶνὄντωνγνῶσιςἀψευδής (“a true knowledge of the things that are” Wis 7:17). Comp. Job 11:7-8; Romans 11:33, for like language as to the Divine Counsels.
Barnes' Notes on Ecclesiastes 7:24
literally, Far off is that which hath been i. e., events as they have occurred in the order of Divine Providence), and deep, deep, who can find it out?
Whedon's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 7:24
24. That which is far off — Better, That which was far, was still far. He is conscious of striking the dark border of the unknowable, in whose deep darkness lay that which, of all things, he most wished to know.
Sermons on Ecclesiastes 7:24
| Sermon | Description | |
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Locks & Keys by Dr. A.E. Wilder-Smith | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of the Logos in biology and how it relates to the teaching of biology in schools. He encourages the audience, particularly those i |
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(Becoming a Prophetic Church) 2. Jewish Unbelief by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker recounts his experience of hand-delivering a book to a Jewish man named Mr. Sherman. Despite the speaker's hopes for a face-to-face conversation, Mr. Sh |
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Dvd 02 - Jewish Unbelief by Art Katz | This sermon emphasizes the importance of boldly sharing the gospel with the Jewish community, highlighting the need for believers to be willing to endure rejection, insults, and su |
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(Hebrews - Part 37): Faith Is a Pertubing Thing by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher shares a personal story about a moral rebound. He talks about his own past of indulging in drinking and reckless behavior, even on Christmas Eve. Howev |
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Apostolic Vision - Part 4 by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the supernatural power of God that is necessary for the proclamation of His word. The speaker believes that this proclamation is not just ins |
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There Were Two Trees in the Garden - Part 2 by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the significance of examining the creation story in Genesis and how it reveals God's splendor, majesty, and wisdom. The speaker emphasizes t |
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Dvd 19 - the Agony and Ecstasy of Paul by Art Katz | This sermon emphasizes the importance of understanding the mystery of Israel and the Church in the last days. It highlights the need for humility, a heart for mystery, and a prophe |