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With Wisdom Comes Sorrow
…14I have seen all the things that are done under the sun, and have found them all to be futile, a pursuit of the wind.15What is crookedcannotbe straightened,and what is lackingcannotbe counted.16I said to myself, “Behold, I have grown and increased in wisdom beyond all those before me who were over Jerusalem, and my mind has observed a wealth of wisdom and knowledge.”…

Treasury of Scripture

That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.

crooked

Ecclesiastes 3:14
I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doethit, thatmen should fear before him.

Ecclesiastes 7:12,13
For wisdomis a defence,and moneyis a defence: but the excellency of knowledgeis, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it…

Job 11:6
And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, thatthey are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of theeless than thine iniquitydeserveth.

wanting or a defect

AbleBentCountedCrookedLackingNumberedStraightStraightenedTwistedWantingAbleBentCountedCrookedLackingNumberedStraightStraightenedTwistedWanting1.the preacher shows that all human courses are vain
4.because the creatures are restless in their courses
9.they bring forth nothing new, and all old things are forgotten
12.and because he has found it so in the studies of wisdom

What is crooked cannot be straightened
This phrase reflects the limitations of human effort and wisdom in addressing the inherent flaws and complexities of life. The term "crooked" suggests moral and existential distortions that are beyond human ability to rectify. In the biblical context, this can be seen as a reflection on the fallen state of the world due to sin, as described inGenesis 3. The inability to "straighten" what is crooked points to the futility of human endeavors without divine intervention. This theme is echoed inRomans 8:20-22, where creation is described as being subjected to frustration and bondage to decay. The phrase also anticipates the need for a savior, as only through Christ can the crooked be made straight, as prophesied inIsaiah 40:3-4, where the coming of the Lord will make the rough places smooth.

and what is lacking cannot be counted
This part of the verse highlights the insufficiency and incompleteness of human understanding and resources. The idea of "lacking" suggests a deficiency that cannot be quantified or resolved by human means. This reflects the limitations of human wisdom, as seen in the broader context of Ecclesiastes, where the Preacher explores the vanity of human pursuits. The inability to "count" what is lacking underscores the theme of human inadequacy in achieving true fulfillment or understanding apart from God. This is further illustrated in the New Testament, where Jesus teaches about the futility of worrying about material needs inMatthew 6:31-33, emphasizing reliance on God's provision. The phrase also points to the ultimate fulfillment found in Christ, who provides what is lacking in human righteousness and understanding, as seen inColossians 2:3, where all treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Him.

1.Solomon
Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. He reflects on the futility and vanity of human endeavors without God.

2.Jerusalem
The city where Solomon reigned as king. It serves as the backdrop for much of his wisdom literature, including Ecclesiastes.

3.The Preacher (Qoheleth)
The voice in Ecclesiastes, often identified with Solomon, who explores the meaning of life and the limitations of human wisdom.The Limitations of Human Effort
Human efforts are insufficient to correct the fundamental brokenness of the world. This should lead us to rely on God rather than our own understanding or abilities.

The Reality of a Fallen World
Recognize that the world is inherently flawed due to sin. This understanding should drive us to seek redemption and restoration through Christ.

The Importance of Divine Perspective
Acknowledge that only God can bring true order and fulfillment. Our role is to align our lives with His will and purposes.

Contentment in God's Sovereignty
Accept that some things are beyond our control and find peace in God's sovereignty, trusting that He is working all things for good.

The Call to Wisdom
Pursue wisdom that begins with the fear of the Lord, recognizing that true wisdom comes from God and leads to a life that honors Him.Top 10 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 1

What does the Bible say about soul sleep?

In 2 Timothy 1:15, Phygelus and Hermogenes abandon Paul, yet they appear nowhere else--does the lack of external evidence call the narrative into question?

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?

What defines spiritual sickness?(15)Made straight.--The verb occurs only in this book (Ecclesiastes 7:13;Ecclesiastes 12:9, "set in order") and in Rabbinical Hebrew. So likewise "that which is wanting" is peculiar to this passage, and to later Hebrew.

Verse 15. -That which is crooked cannot be made straight. This is intended as a confirmation of ver. 14. By the utmost exercise of his powers and faculties man cannot change the course of events; he is constantly met by anomalies which he can neither explain nor rectify (comp.Ecclesiastes 7:13). The above is probably a proverbial saying. Knobel quotes Suidas:Χύλον ἀγκύλονοὐδέποτ ὀρθόν. The Vulgate takes the whole maxim as applying only to morals: "Perverse men are hardly corrected, and the number of tools is infinite." So too the Syriac and Targum. The Septuagint rightly as the Authorized Version. The writer is not referring merely to man's sins and delinquencies, but to the perplexities in which he finds himself involved, and extrication from which is impracticable.That which is wanting cannot be numbered. The wordחֶסְדון, "loss, defect," isἅπαξ λεγόμενον in the Old Testament. We cannot reckon where there is nothing to count; no skill in arithmetic will avail to make up for a substantial deficit. So nothing man can do is able to remedy the anomalies by which he is surrounded, or to supply the defects which are pressed upon his notice.

Parallel Commentaries ...


What is crooked
מְעֻוָּ֖ת(mə·‘uw·wāṯ)
Verb - Pual - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5791:To be bent or crooked

cannot
לֹא־(lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, no

be straightened,
לִתְקֹ֑ן(liṯ·qōn)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 8626:To equalize, straighten, to compose

and what is lacking
וְחֶסְר֖וֹן(wə·ḥes·rō·wn)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2642:A thing lacking, deficiency

cannot
לֹא־(lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, no

be counted.
לְהִמָּנֽוֹת׃(lə·him·mā·nō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Nifal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 4487:To weigh out, to allot, constitute officially, to enumerate, enroll


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OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 1:15 That which is crooked can't be made (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.)