Ecclesiastes 8:7
New International Version
Since no one knows the future, who can tell someone else what is to come?

New Living Translation
Indeed, how can people avoid what they don’t know is going to happen?

English Standard Version
For he does not know what is to be, for who can tell him how it will be?

Berean Standard Bible
Since no one knows what will happen, who can tell him what is to come?

King James Bible
For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?

New King James Version
For he does not know what will happen; So who can tell him when it will occur?

New American Standard Bible
If no one knows what will happen, who can tell him when it will happen?

NASB 1995
If no one knows what will happen, who can tell him when it will happen?

NASB 1977
If no one knows what will happen, who can tell him when it will happen?

Legacy Standard Bible
If no one knows what will happen, who can tell him when it will happen?

Amplified Bible
For no one knows what will happen; So who can tell him how and when it will happen?

Christian Standard Bible
Yet no one knows what will happen because who can tell him what will happen?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Yet no one knows what will happen because who can tell him what will happen?

American Standard Version
for he knoweth not that which shall be; for who can tell him how it shall be?

Contemporary English Version
though no one can tell the future.

English Revised Version
for he knoweth not that which shall be; for who can tell him how it shall be?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They don't know what the future will bring. So who can tell them how things will turn out?

Good News Translation
None of us knows what is going to happen, and there is no one to tell us.

International Standard Version
For he has absolutely no knowledge what will happen, since who can declare to him when it will come about?

Majority Standard Bible
Since no one knows what will happen, who can tell him what is to come?

NET Bible
Surely no one knows the future, and no one can tell another person what will happen.

New Heart English Bible
For he doesn't know that which will be; for who can tell him how it will be?

Webster's Bible Translation
For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?

World English Bible
For he doesn’t know that which will be; for who can tell him how it will be?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
For he does not know that which will be, for when it will be who declares to him?

Young's Literal Translation
For he knoweth not that which shall be, for when it shall be who declareth to him?

Smith's Literal Translation
For he will not know what shall be: for as it shall be who shall announce to him?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Because he is ignorant of things past, and things to come he cannot know by any messenger.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For he is ignorant of the past, and he is able to know nothing of the future by means of a messenger.

New American Bible
that they are ignorant of what is to come; for who will make known to them how it will be?

New Revised Standard Version
Indeed, they do not know what is to be, for who can tell them how it will be?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For there is no one who knows that which has been; and who can tell him what will be after him?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because there is no one who knows what has been, and what will happen to him. Who shows him what comes after him?
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For he knoweth not that which shall be; for even when it cometh to pass, who shall declare it unto him?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For there is no one that knows what is going to be: for who shall tell him how it shall be?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Obey the King
6For there is a right time and procedure to every purpose, though a man’s misery weighs heavily upon him. 7Since no one knows what will happen, who can tell him what is to come? 8As no man has power over the wind to contain it, so no one has authority over his day of death. As no one can be discharged in wartime, so wickedness will not release those who practice it.…

Cross References
James 4:14
You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

Proverbs 27:1
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.

Matthew 24:36
No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-2
Now about the times and seasons, brothers, we do not need to write to you. / For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

Mark 13:32
No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

Luke 12:20
But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’

Acts 1:7
Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority.

Job 24:1
“Why does the Almighty not reserve times for judgment? Why may those who know Him never see His days?

Isaiah 46:10
I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’

Daniel 2:22
He reveals the deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him.

1 Corinthians 2:11
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 139:6
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

Jeremiah 10:23
I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not his own; no one who walks directs his own steps.

Proverbs 16:9
A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

Isaiah 41:22-23
“Let them come and tell us what will happen. Tell the former things, so that we may reflect on them and know the outcome. Or announce to us what is coming. / Tell us the things that are to come, so that we may know that you are gods. Yes, do something good or evil, that we may look on together in dismay.


Treasury of Scripture

For he knows not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?

he knoweth

Ecclesiastes 6:12
For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?

Ecclesiastes 9:12
For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.

Ecclesiastes 10:14
A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?

when

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Ecclesiastes 8
1. true wisdom is modest
2. 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














Since no one knows
The phrase underscores the inherent limitations of human knowledge and understanding. In the Hebrew text, the word for "knows" is "yada," which implies a deep, intimate knowledge. This suggests that despite humanity's quest for wisdom and understanding, there are boundaries set by God that we cannot cross. Historically, this reflects the ancient Near Eastern worldview where divine mysteries were often beyond human comprehension. It serves as a humbling reminder of our finite nature in contrast to God's infinite wisdom.

what will happen
This phrase speaks to the unpredictability of future events. The Hebrew word "mah" (what) emphasizes the uncertainty and the unknown aspects of life. In the context of Ecclesiastes, it reflects the Preacher's exploration of life's enigmas and the futility of trying to control or predict the future. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative that encourages trust in God's sovereign plan, as seen in passages like Proverbs 3:5-6, which calls believers to trust in the Lord rather than their own understanding.

who can tell him
Here, the rhetorical question highlights the limitations of human foresight. The Hebrew word "nagad" (tell) implies declaring or making known. This suggests that no human can declare with certainty what the future holds. In a historical context, this would resonate with the audience of Ecclesiastes, who lived in a world where divine revelation was often sought through prophets. The verse subtly points to the need for divine revelation and guidance, which is ultimately fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ, who is the Word made flesh (John 1:14).

what is to come
This phrase encapsulates the mystery of the future. The Hebrew "asher" (what) and "bo" (to come) together emphasize the unfolding of events that are beyond human control. In the scriptural context, this reflects the theme of divine sovereignty that runs throughout Ecclesiastes. The Preacher acknowledges that while humans may plan and strive, it is God who ultimately determines the course of history. This is a call to live in faith and obedience, trusting that God holds the future in His hands, as echoed in Jeremiah 29:11, where God declares His plans for a hopeful future for His people.

Verse 7. - For he knoweth not that which shall be. The subject may be man in general, or more probably the evil tyrant. The clause contains a third reason for patience. The despot cannot foresee the future, and goes on blindly filling up the measure of his iniquity, being unable to take any precautions against his inevitable fate (Proverbs 24:22). Quem Deus vult perdere prius dementat. For who can tell him when it shall be? rather, how it shall be. The fourth portion of the argument. The infatuated man knows not the time when the blow will fall, nor, as here, the manner in which the retribution will come, the form which it will take. Septuagint," For how it shall be, who will tell him?" The Vulgate paraphrases inaccurately, Quia ignorat prae-terita, et futura nullo scire potest nuntio, "Because he knoweth not the past, and the future he can ascertain by no messenger."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Since
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

no one
אֵינֶ֥נּוּ (’ê·nen·nū)
Adverb | third person masculine singular
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

knows
יֹדֵ֖עַ (yō·ḏê·a‘)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3045: To know

what
מַה־ (mah-)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

will happen,
שֶּׁיִּֽהְיֶ֑ה (še·yih·yeh)
Pronoun - relative | Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

who
מִ֖י (mî)
Interrogative
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

can tell
יַגִּ֥יד (yag·gîḏ)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous

him
לֽוֹ׃ (lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

what
כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר (ka·’ă·šer)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

is to come?
יִֽהְיֶ֔ה (yih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be


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OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 8:7 For he doesn't know that which will (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.)
Ecclesiastes 8:6
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