And I set my mind to seek and explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. What a heavy burden God has laid upon the sons of men to occupy them! And I set my mindThe phrase "set my mind" indicates a deliberate and intentional act of focusing one's thoughts and efforts. In the Hebrew text, the word used here is "נתתי" (natati), which means "I gave" or "I applied." This suggests a conscious decision to dedicate oneself to a task. The author, traditionally understood to be Solomon, is emphasizing the seriousness and commitment with which he approaches the quest for understanding. This reflects a disciplined pursuit of knowledge, which is a recurring theme in wisdom literature. to seek and explore
The Hebrew words "לדרוש" (lidrosh) and "לתור" (latur) are used here. "Lidrosh" means "to seek" or "to inquire," while "latur" means "to explore" or "to investigate." Together, they convey a comprehensive approach to understanding, involving both the search for knowledge and the examination of its depths. This dual approach underscores the thoroughness of Solomon's quest, highlighting the importance of both seeking God’s wisdom and exploring the complexities of life. by wisdom
The term "wisdom" in Hebrew is "חכמה" (chokmah). In the biblical context, wisdom is not merely intellectual knowledge but a practical understanding that aligns with God's will. It is a divine gift that enables one to live righteously and make sound decisions. Solomon, renowned for his wisdom, seeks to apply this God-given insight to understand the world. This reflects the biblical principle that true wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10). all that is done under heaven
This phrase encompasses the entirety of human activity and experience. "Under heaven" is a poetic way of referring to life on earth. The scope of Solomon's inquiry is vast, as he seeks to understand the purpose and meaning behind every action and event. This reflects the human desire to comprehend the divine order and purpose in creation, acknowledging that everything occurs within the sovereign domain of God. What a heavy burden
The Hebrew word for "heavy burden" is "ענין רע" (in'yan ra), which can also be translated as "unhappy business" or "grievous task." This phrase captures the toil and struggle inherent in human existence. It acknowledges the challenges and frustrations that accompany the pursuit of knowledge and understanding. This burden is not merely physical but also existential, as humanity grapples with the limitations of human wisdom and the mysteries of life. God has laid upon the sons of men
This phrase emphasizes the divine origin of the burden. The Hebrew word "נתן" (natan) means "has given" or "has laid." It suggests that the challenges of life are part of God's sovereign plan for humanity. This perspective acknowledges God's authority and purpose, even in the midst of life's difficulties. It invites believers to trust in God's wisdom and providence, recognizing that He has a purpose for every trial and challenge. to occupy them
The Hebrew word "לענות" (la'anot) means "to afflict" or "to occupy." It implies that the burdens of life are meant to engage and challenge humanity. This can be seen as a divine means of prompting growth, reflection, and dependence on God. The occupation with life's challenges serves to draw people closer to God, encouraging them to seek His wisdom and guidance. It is a reminder that life's struggles are not without purpose, as they ultimately lead to spiritual growth and maturity. Persons / Places / Events 1. Solomon- Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the king of Israel known for his wisdom, wealth, and writings. He reflects on the pursuit of knowledge and the burdens it brings. 2. Israel- The nation over which Solomon reigned. It serves as the backdrop for his reflections on life, wisdom, and the human condition. 3. God- The divine being who, according to Solomon, has given humans the task of seeking wisdom and understanding the world. 4. Sons of Men- A term used to describe humanity in general, emphasizing the universal nature of the quest for knowledge and the burdens it entails. 5. Under Heaven- A phrase indicating the earthly realm, where human activities and pursuits take place, distinct from the divine or heavenly realm. Teaching Points The Pursuit of WisdomSolomon's dedication to seeking wisdom is a model for believers. We are encouraged to pursue understanding, but with the recognition that true wisdom comes from God. The Burden of KnowledgeThe quest for knowledge can be burdensome, as it often reveals the complexities and challenges of life. Believers should balance their pursuit of knowledge with faith and trust in God's plan. Human LimitationsAcknowledge the limitations of human understanding. Despite our efforts, some aspects of life remain a mystery, reminding us of our dependence on God. Purpose in ToilThe tasks and challenges we face are part of God's design to keep us engaged and reliant on Him. Finding purpose in our daily activities can lead to fulfillment. Eternal PerspectiveWhile earthly pursuits can be burdensome, maintaining an eternal perspective helps us prioritize our efforts and focus on what truly matters. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Solomon's pursuit of wisdom in Ecclesiastes 1:13 challenge or inspire your own quest for knowledge and understanding? 2. In what ways can the burdensome task of seeking wisdom lead to a deeper reliance on God? 3. How do the limitations of human understanding, as highlighted in this verse, affect your approach to life's challenges? 4. What practical steps can you take to find purpose and fulfillment in the tasks and challenges you face daily? 5. How can maintaining an eternal perspective influence your priorities and decisions in the pursuit of wisdom and knowledge? Connections to Other Scriptures Proverbs 1:7- This verse highlights the fear of the Lord as the beginning of knowledge, connecting to Solomon's pursuit of wisdom and the divine aspect of understanding. Genesis 3:17-19- The curse of toil and labor given to Adam after the Fall parallels the burdensome task mentioned in Ecclesiastes, emphasizing the struggle inherent in human life. James 1:5- Encourages believers to seek wisdom from God, who gives generously, aligning with Solomon's quest for wisdom and understanding. People David, SolomonPlaces JerusalemTopics Afflicted, Applied, Burden, Business, Busy, Exercised, Explore, Grievous, Heart, Heaven, Heavens, Heavy, Humbled, Labor, Laid, Mind, Myself, Occupation, Sad, Search, Searching, Seek, Sky, Sons, Sore, Study, Task, Themselves, Therewith, Travail, Unhappy, Weary, WisdomDictionary of Bible Themes Ecclesiastes 1:13 5057 rest, physical
5127 back
5387 leisure, pastimes
5441 philosophy
5559 stress Ecclesiastes 1:13-14 8674 study Ecclesiastes 1:13-16 5776 achievement Ecclesiastes 1:13-17 5853 experience, of life Library Two views of Life
'This sore travail hath God given to the sons of man, to be exercised therewith.--ECCLES. i. 13. 'He for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness.'--HEBREWS xii. 10. These two texts set before us human life as it looks to two observers. The former admits that God shapes it; but to him it seems sore travail, the expenditure of much trouble and efforts; the results of which seem to be nothing beyond profitless exercise. There is an immense activity and nothing to show for it at the end …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureWhat Passes and what Abides
'One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.'--ECCLES. i. 4. 'And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.'--1 JOHN ii. 17. A great river may run through more than one kingdom, and bear more than one name, but its flow is unbroken. The river of time runs continuously, taking no heed of dates and calendars. The importance that we attach to the beginnings or endings of years and centuries is a …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Past and the Future
'The thing that hath been, it is that which shall he; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.'--ECCLES. i. 9. 'That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 3. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles.'--l PETER iv. 2, 3. If you will look at these two passages carefully you will, I think, see that they imply two different, and in some respects …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Eusebius' Birth and Training. His Life in Cæsarea Until the Outbreak of the Persecution.
Our author was commonly known among the ancients as Eusebius of Cæsarea or Eusebius Pamphili. The former designation arose from the fact that he was bishop of the church in Cæsarea for many years; the latter from the fact that he was the intimate friend and devoted admirer of Pamphilus, a presbyter of Cæsarea and a martyr. Some such specific appellation was necessary to distinguish him from others of the same name. Smith and Wace's Dictionary of Christian Biography mentions 137 …
Eusebius Pamphilius—Church History Introduction to vita S. Antoni.
(Written between 356 and 362) The Life of St. Antony is included in the present collection partly on account of the important influence it has exercised upon the development of the ascetic life in the Church, partly and more especially on the ground of its strong claim to rank as a work of Athanasius. If that claim were undisputed, no apology would be needed for its presence in this volume. If on the other hand its spurious and unhistorical character had been finally demonstrated, its insertion would …
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius "And Hereby we do Know that we Know Him, if we Keep his Commandments. "
1 John ii. 3.--"And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments." This age pretends to much knowledge beyond former ages, knowledge, I say, not only in other natural arts and sciences, but especially in religion. Whether there be any great advancement in other knowledge, and improvement of that which was, to a further extent and clearness, I cannot judge, but I believe there is not much of it in this nation, nor do we so much pretend to it. But, we talk of the enlargements of …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Literature.
In making the following thread to the rich literature on Constantine the plan has been to confine almost wholly to Monographs, since to refer to all histories, encyclopædias, and the like which treat of him would be endless. Only such few analyzed references are introduced as have special reasons. Even with this limit it cannot be at all hoped that the list is exhaustive. Considerable pains has been taken, however, to make it full, as there is no really extended modern list of works on Constantine, …
Eusebius Pamphilius—The Life of Constantine Temporal Advantages.
"We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content."--1 Tim. vi. 7, 8. Every age has its own special sins and temptations. Impatience with their lot, murmuring, grudging, unthankfulness, discontent, are sins common to men at all times, but I suppose one of those sins which belongs to our age more than to another, is desire of a greater portion of worldly goods than God has given us,--ambition and covetousness …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII Of the Imitation of Christ, and of Contempt of the World and all Its Vanities
He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness,(1) saith the Lord. These are the words of Christ; and they teach us how far we must imitate His life and character, if we seek true illumination, and deliverance from all blindness of heart. Let it be our most earnest study, therefore, to dwell upon the life of Jesus Christ. 2. His teaching surpasseth all teaching of holy men, and such as have His Spirit find therein the hidden manna.(2) But there are many who, though they frequently hear the Gospel, …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ The Order of Thought which Surrounded the Development of Jesus.
As the cooled earth no longer permits us to understand the phenomena of primitive creation, because the fire which penetrated it is extinct, so deliberate explanations have always appeared somewhat insufficient when applying our timid methods of induction to the revolutions of the creative epochs which have decided the fate of humanity. Jesus lived at one of those times when the game of public life is freely played, and when the stake of human activity is increased a hundredfold. Every great part, …
Ernest Renan—The Life of Jesus Messiah's Easy Yoke
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. T hough the influence of education and example, may dispose us to acknowledge the Gospel to be a revelation from God; it can only be rightly understood, or duly prized, by those persons who feel themselves in the circumstances of distress, which it is designed to relieve. No Israelite would think of fleeing to a city of refuge (Joshua 20:2. …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 How to Make Use of Christ as the Truth, for Growth in Knowledge.
It is a commanded duty, that we grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, 2 Pet. iii. 18; and the knowledge of him being life eternal, John xvii. 3, and our measure of knowledge of him here being but imperfect, for we know but in part, it cannot but be an useful duty, and a desirable thing, to be growing in this knowledge. This is to walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, to be increasing in the knowledge of God, Col. i. 10. Knowledge must be added to virtue; and it layeth a ground for other Christian …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life Joy
'The fruit of the Spirit is joy.' Gal 5:52. The third fruit of justification, adoption, and sanctification, is joy in the Holy Ghost. Joy is setting the soul upon the top of a pinnacle - it is the cream of the sincere milk of the word. Spiritual joy is a sweet and delightful passion, arising from the apprehension and feeling of some good, whereby the soul is supported under present troubles, and fenced against future fear. I. It is a delightful passion. It is contrary to sorrow, which is a perturbation …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Ecclesiastes
It is not surprising that the book of Ecclesiastes had a struggle to maintain its place in the canon, and it was probably only its reputed Solomonic authorship and the last two verses of the book that permanently secured its position at the synod of Jamnia in 90 A.D. The Jewish scholars of the first century A.D. were struck by the manner in which it contradicted itself: e.g., "I praised the dead more than the living," iv. 2, "A living dog is better than a dead lion," ix. 4; but they were still more …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Ecclesiastes 1:13 NIVEcclesiastes 1:13 NLTEcclesiastes 1:13 ESVEcclesiastes 1:13 NASBEcclesiastes 1:13 KJV
Ecclesiastes 1:13 Commentaries
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