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The Limits of Human Wisdom
…23All this I tested by wisdom, saying, “I resolve to be wise.” But it was beyond me.24Whatexistsis out of reachand very deep.Whocan 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.…

Treasury of Scripture

That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?

Deuteronomy 30:11-14
For this commandment which I command thee this day, itis not hidden from thee, neitheris it far off…

Job 11:7,8
Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? …

Job 28:12-23,28
But where shall wisdom be found? and whereis the place of understanding? …

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2.mortification
7.patience
11.wisdom
23.The difficulty of wisdom

What exists
This phrase refers to the realities and truths of life that are present in the world. In the context of Ecclesiastes, the author, traditionally believed to be Solomon, is reflecting on the nature of wisdom and the human experience. The book often contrasts human understanding with divine wisdom, emphasizing the limitations of human knowledge. This aligns with the biblical theme that God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours, as seen inIsaiah 55:8-9.

is out of reach
The idea here is that certain aspects of life and divine wisdom are beyond human comprehension. This echoes the sentiment found inJob 11:7-9, where the depths of God's wisdom are described as unfathomable. The phrase suggests humility in the face of divine mystery, acknowledging that not all can be understood or controlled by human effort.

and very deep
This emphasizes the profound and complex nature of existence and divine wisdom. The depth signifies the vastness and intricacy of God's creation and plans, which are often beyond human understanding. This can be related toRomans 11:33, where Paul marvels at the depth of the riches of God's wisdom and knowledge.

Who can fathom it?
This rhetorical question underscores the limitations of human wisdom and understanding. It invites reflection on the mystery of God's creation and the humility required to accept our finite understanding. This is a common theme in wisdom literature, where the pursuit of understanding often leads to the acknowledgment of human limitations, as seen inProverbs 3:5-6, which advises trust in the Lord over one's own understanding.

1.Solomon
Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. He reflects on the complexities and mysteries of life in this book.

2.Jerusalem
The city where Solomon reigned as king and where he likely composed much of his wisdom literature.

3.The Preacher (Qoheleth)
The voice in Ecclesiastes, often identified with Solomon, who explores the meaning of life and the limits of human understanding.The Limits of Human Understanding
We must acknowledge that there are aspects of life and God's creation that are beyond our comprehension. This humility should lead us to trust in God's wisdom rather than our own.

The Pursuit of Wisdom
While some things are beyond our reach, we are encouraged to seek wisdom diligently. This pursuit is a lifelong journey that requires patience and reliance on God.

Trust in God's Sovereignty
Recognizing the depth of God's wisdom should lead us to trust in His sovereign plan, even when we do not understand it fully.

The Role of Faith
Faith bridges the gap between our limited understanding and the mysteries of God's purposes. We are called to walk by faith, trusting in God's character and promises.

Encouragement in Mystery
The mysteries of life should not lead to despair but to a deeper awe and reverence for God, who holds all things in His hands.Top 10 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 7

In Ecclesiastes 4:2-3, the speaker says the dead or unborn are more fortunate than the living--does this contradict the Bible's overall respect for life?

Acts 6:7 - If a 'large number of priests' truly converted, why do contemporary Jewish or Roman sources not document such a mass defection from Judaism?

Ecclesiastes 7:13 questions who can straighten what God has made crooked--does this challenge free will or the efficacy of human efforts through science and medicine?

Ecclesiastes 7:1 says the day of death is better than the day of birth--how does this not undermine the inherent value of life found elsewhere in the Bible?(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 inEcclesiastes 1:9,Ecclesiastes 3:15. (SeeEcclesiastes 8:17.)

Verse 24. -That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out? The broken, interjectional style of the original in this passage, as Professor Taylor Lewis terms it, is better brought out by translating, "Far off is that which is, and deep, deep: who can find it out?" Professor Lewis renders, "Far off! the past, what is it? Deep - a deep - oh, who can find?" and explains "the past" to mean, not merely the earthly past historically unknown, but the great past before the creation of the universe, the kingdom of all eternities with its ages of ages, its worlds of worlds, its mighty evolutions, its infinite variety. We prefer to retain the rendering, "that which is," and to refer the expression to the phenomenal world. It is not the essence of wisdom that is spoken of, but the facts of man's life and the circumstances in which he finds himself, the course of the world, the phenomena of nature, etc. These things - their causes, connection, interdependence - we cannot explain satisfactorily (comp.Ecclesiastes 3:11;Ecclesiastes 8:17). In the Book of Wisdom (7:17-21) Solomon is supposed to have arrived at this abstruse knowledge, "for," he says, "God hath given me certain knowledge of the things that are (τῶν ὄντωνγνῶσιν ἀψευδῆ)," and he proceeds to enumerate the various departments which this "universitas literarum" has opened to him. The Septuagint (and virtually the Vulgate) connects this verse with the preceding, thus: . 'I said, I will be wise, and it (αὔτη) was far from me, far beyond what was (μακρὰν ὑπὲρο{ η΅ν), and deep depth: who shall find it out?" (For the epithet "deep" applied to what is recondite or what is beyond human comprehension, comp.Proverbs 20:5;Job 11:8.)

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

exists
שֶּׁהָיָ֑ה(še·hā·yāh)
Pronoun - relative | Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, be

is out of reach
רָח֖וֹק(rā·ḥō·wq)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7350:Remote, of place, time, precious

and very deep.
וְעָמֹ֥ק ׀(wə·‘ā·mōq)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6013:Deep

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

can fathom it?
יִמְצָאֶֽנּוּ׃(yim·ṣā·’en·nū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4672:To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present


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OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 7:24 That which is is far off (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.)