Verse (Click for Chapter) 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 VersionFor 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 BibleBecause 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 BibleFor 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 1917For 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 Jump to Previous Able Declare Declareth FutureJump to Next Able Declare Declareth FutureEcclesiastes 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 Since no one knows what will happen This phrase highlights the uncertainty of the future, a theme prevalent throughout Ecclesiastes. The acknowledgment of human limitations in predicting future events is consistent with the wisdom literature of the Bible, which often contrasts human understanding with divine omniscience. In the ancient Near Eastern context, people often sought guidance from diviners or omens, but the Bible consistently teaches reliance on God rather than human foresight (Isaiah 46:9-10). This phrase underscores the futility of trying to control or predict life’s outcomes, echoing the sentiment found in James 4:13-15, where believers are reminded to submit their plans to the will of God. who can tell him what is to come? Persons / Places / Events 1. Solomon- Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the king of Israel known for his wisdom, wealth, and writings. Ecclesiastes is part of the wisdom literature attributed to him. 2. Israel - The nation over which Solomon reigned. The cultural and historical context of Israel during Solomon's time influences the themes of uncertainty and the search for meaning in Ecclesiastes. 3. The Preacher (Qoheleth) - The voice in Ecclesiastes, often identified with Solomon, who explores the meaning of life and the limitations of human understanding. Teaching Points The Limitations of Human KnowledgeHumans are inherently limited in their understanding of the future. This should lead to humility and reliance on God, who alone knows what is to come. Trust in God's Sovereignty While we cannot predict the future, we can trust in God's sovereign plan. This trust should bring peace and confidence in His provision and guidance. Living Wisely in the Present Since the future is uncertain, we are called to live wisely and righteously in the present, making decisions that honor God and reflect His wisdom. The Futility of Worry Worrying about the future is futile and unproductive. Instead, believers are encouraged to focus on today and trust God for tomorrow. Seeking God's Guidance In the face of uncertainty, seeking God's guidance through prayer and Scripture is essential. He provides wisdom and direction for our paths.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 Sinceכִּֽי־ (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 Links Ecclesiastes 8:7 NIVEcclesiastes 8:7 NLT Ecclesiastes 8:7 ESV Ecclesiastes 8:7 NASB Ecclesiastes 8:7 KJV Ecclesiastes 8:7 BibleApps.com Ecclesiastes 8:7 Biblia Paralela Ecclesiastes 8:7 Chinese Bible Ecclesiastes 8:7 French Bible Ecclesiastes 8:7 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 8:7 For he doesn't know that which will (Ecclesiast. 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