Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to observe the labor that is done on earth—people getting no sleep day or night— New Living Translation In my search for wisdom and in my observation of people’s burdens here on earth, I discovered that there is ceaseless activity, day and night. English Standard Version When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done on earth, how neither day nor night do one’s eyes see sleep, Berean Standard Bible When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to observe the task that one performs on the earth—though his eyes do not see sleep in the day or even in the night— King James Bible 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:) New King James Version When I applied my heart to know wisdom and to see the business that is done on earth, even though one sees no sleep day or night, New American Standard Bible When I devoted my mind to know wisdom and to see the business which has been done on the earth (even though one should never sleep day or night), NASB 1995 When I gave my heart to know wisdom and to see the task which has been done on the earth (even though one should never sleep day or night), NASB 1977 When I gave my heart to know wisdom and to see the task which has been done on the earth (even though one should never sleep day or night), Legacy Standard Bible When I gave my heart to know wisdom and to see the endeavor which has been done on the earth (even though one never sees sleep with his eyes day or night), Amplified Bible When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to see the activities [of mankind] that take place upon the earth—how some men seem to sleep neither day nor night— Christian Standard Bible When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to observe the activity that is done on the earth (even though one’s eyes do not close in sleep day or night), Holman Christian Standard Bible When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to observe the activity that is done on the earth (even though one’s eyes do not close in sleep day or night), American Standard Version When I applied my 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), Contemporary English Version Day and night I went without sleep, trying to understand what goes on in this world. English Revised Version 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:) GOD'S WORD® Translation When I carefully considered how to study wisdom and how to look at the work that is done on earth (even going without sleep day and night), Good News Translation Whenever I tried to become wise and learn what goes on in the world, I realized that you could stay awake night and day International Standard Version When I dedicated myself to experience wisdom and to observe what is undertaken on earth—even going without sleep day and night— Majority Standard Bible When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to observe the task that one performs on the earth—though his eyes do not see sleep in the day or even in the night— NET Bible When I tried to gain wisdom and to observe the activity on earth--even though it prevents anyone from sleeping day or night-- New Heart English Bible When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done on the earth (for also there is that neither day nor night sees sleep with his eyes), Webster's Bible Translation When I applied my 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:) World English Bible When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done on the earth (even though eyes see no sleep day or night), Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionWhen I gave my heart to know wisdom and to see the business that has been done on the earth (for there is also a spectator in whose eyes sleep is not by day and by night), Young's Literal Translation When I gave my heart to know wisdom and to see the business that hath been done on the earth, (for there is also a spectator in whose eyes sleep is not by day and by night), Smith's Literal Translation According as I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to see the labor that was done upon the earth: for also in the day and in the night he saw not sleep with his eyes. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to understand the distraction that is upon earth: for there are some that day and night take no sleep with their eyes. Catholic Public Domain Version And I applied my heart, so that I might know wisdom, and so that I might understand a disturbance that turns upon the earth: it is a man, who takes no sleep with his eyes, day and night. New American Bible I applied my heart to know wisdom and to see the business that is done on earth, though neither by day nor by night do one’s eyes see sleep, New Revised Standard Version When I applied my mind to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done on earth, how one’s eyes see sleep neither day nor night, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleTherefore I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business which is done upon the earth; for there are those whose eyes see no sleep either day or night. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Because of this, I have given my heart to know Wisdom and to see the business that is done upon Earth, because by day and by night with his eyes he sees no sleep OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth--for neither day nor night do men see sleep with their eyes-- Brenton Septuagint Translation Whereupon I set my heart to know wisdom, and to perceive the trouble that was wrought upon the earth: for there is that neither by day nor night sees sleep with his eyes. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context God's Ways are Mysterious…15So I commended the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be merry. For this joy will accompany him in his labor during the days of his life that God gives him under the sun. 16When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to observe the task that one performs on the earth— though his eyes do not see sleep in the day or even in the night— 17I saw every work of God, and that a man is unable to comprehend the work that is done under the sun. Despite his efforts to search it out, he cannot find its meaning; even if the wise man claims to know, he is unable to comprehend.… Cross References Ecclesiastes 1:13 And I set my mind to seek and explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. What a miserable task God has laid upon the sons of men to occupy them! Ecclesiastes 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men, yet they cannot fathom the work that God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 7:24 What exists is out of reach and very deep. Who can fathom it? Job 28:12-28 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.’ ... Proverbs 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out. Daniel 12:8-9 I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these things?” / “Go on your way, Daniel,” he replied, “for the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end. Romans 11:33-34 O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways! / “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?” 1 Corinthians 2:9-11 Rather, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” / But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. / For who among men knows the thoughts of man except his own spirit within him? So too, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Psalm 73:16-17 When I tried to understand all this, it was troublesome in my sight / until I entered God’s sanctuary; then I discerned their end. Psalm 139:6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. 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. Job 11:7-9 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? / Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea. Psalm 92:5 How great are Your works, O LORD, how deep are Your thoughts! Proverbs 30:2-4 Surely I am the most ignorant of men, and I lack the understanding of a man. / I have not learned wisdom, and I have no knowledge of the Holy One. / Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in His hands? Who has bound up the waters in His cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is the name of His Son—surely you know! Matthew 11:25-27 At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. / Yes, Father, for this was well-pleasing in Your sight. / All things have been entrusted to Me by My Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him. Treasury of Scripture When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done on the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night sees sleep with his eyes:) when I Ecclesiastes 8:7 For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be? Ecclesiastes 7:25 I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness: there is that 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. 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 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. Jump to Previous Applied Business Earth Eyes Heart Labor Mind Night Observe One's Sleep Task WisdomJump to Next Applied Business Earth Eyes Heart Labor Mind Night Observe One's Sleep Task WisdomEcclesiastes 8 1. true wisdom is modest2. Kings are to be respected 6. Divine providence is to be observed 12. It is better with the godly in adversity, than with the wicked in prosperity 16. The work of God is unsearchable When I applied my mind The phrase "applied my mind" suggests a deliberate and intentional effort to understand. In Hebrew, the word for "mind" is often associated with the heart (לֵב, lev), which in ancient Near Eastern thought was the center of intellect and emotion. This indicates a holistic pursuit of wisdom, engaging both intellect and emotion. The act of applying one's mind reflects a deep commitment to seeking truth, a theme prevalent throughout Ecclesiastes, where the Preacher (Qoheleth) seeks to understand life's complexities. to know wisdom and to observe the activity that is done on the earth though one’s eyes do not see sleep day or night Seeth sleep with his eyes.--Psalm 132:4; Proverbs 6:4; Genesis 31:40. The identical expression occurs in Terence, Heaut III. 1:82, "Somnum hercle ego hae nocte oculis non vidi meis." Verse 16 - Ecclesiastes 9:10. - Section 7 (the division in the theme caused by the introduction of a new chapter is misleading). Man's wisdom is incapable of explaining the course of God's providential government; death awaits all without any exception, whatever be their condition or actions. These two considerations conduce to the old conclusion, that man had best enjoy life, only being careful to use it energetically and well. Verses 16, 17. - No mortal wisdom, combined with the closest observation and thought, can fathom the mysteries of God's moral government. Verse 16. - When I applied mine heart (Ecclesiastes 1:13). The answering member of the sentence is in ver. 17, the last clause of the present verse being parenthetical. To know wisdom. This was his first study (see on Ecclesiastes 1:16). He endeavored to acquire wisdom which might enable him to investigate God's doings. His second study was to see the business that is done upon the earth; i.e. not only to learn what men do in their several stations and callings, but likewise to understand what all this means, what it tends to, its object and result. (For "business," inyan, see on Ecclesiastes 1:13.) The Vulgate here renders it distentionem, "distraction," which is like the Septuagint περισπασμόν. For also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes. This is a parenthetical clause expressing either the restless, unrelieved labor that goes on in the world, or the sleepless meditation of one who tries to solve the problem of the order and disorder in men's lives. In the latter case, Koheleth may be giving his own experience. To "see sleep" is to enjoy sleep. The phrase is not found elsewhere in the Old Testament, but commentators quote parallels from classical sources. Thus Terence, 'Heautontim.,' 3:1.82 - "Somnum hercle ego hac nocte cculis non vidi reels." "No sleep mine eyes have seen this livelong night." Cicero, 'Ad Famil.,' 8:30, "Fuit mittflea vigilantia, qui tote sue consulatuson, hum non vidit." Of course, the expression is hyperbolical. The same idea is found without metaphor in such passages as Psalm 132:4; Proverbs 6:4. |
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