And I set my mind to seek and explore by wisdomThe phrase indicates a deliberate and intentional effort by the author, traditionally believed to be Solomon, to understand the world through wisdom. Solomon, known for his wisdom (
1 Kings 3:12), uses his God-given gift to investigate life's complexities. This pursuit of wisdom is a central theme in biblical literature, emphasizing the importance of understanding and discernment (
Proverbs 4:7). The act of seeking and exploring suggests a comprehensive and thorough examination, reflecting the intellectual curiosity that characterizes much of the wisdom literature.
all that is done under heaven
This phrase encompasses the entirety of human activity and existence. "Under heaven" is a poetic way of referring to life on earth, highlighting the scope of Solomon's inquiry. The phrase suggests a universal perspective, considering not just individual or national concerns but the human condition as a whole. This aligns with the biblical theme of God's sovereignty over all creation (Psalm 103:19) and the futility of human endeavors apart from divine purpose (Psalm 127:1).
What a miserable task
The term "miserable" conveys a sense of burden and futility. This reflects the recurring theme in Ecclesiastes of the vanity and fleeting nature of human efforts (Ecclesiastes 1:2). The task of understanding life and its purpose can be overwhelming and disheartening, especially when viewed apart from God's eternal perspective. This sentiment echoes the human struggle with meaning and the limitations of human wisdom (Job 28:12-28).
God has laid upon the sons of men to occupy them!
This phrase acknowledges God's sovereignty in assigning the task of seeking wisdom and understanding to humanity. It suggests that the pursuit of knowledge and meaning is part of God's design for human life, intended to engage and challenge people. The "sons of men" refers to all humanity, emphasizing the universal nature of this endeavor. This aligns with the biblical view that God has placed eternity in human hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11), prompting a search for purpose and understanding. The task, while burdensome, is also an invitation to seek God and His wisdom (James 1:5).
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 and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Ecclesiastes 1:13?
2.How does Ecclesiastes 1:13 encourage us to seek wisdom in our daily lives?
3.What does "grievous task" in Ecclesiastes 1:13 reveal about human pursuit of knowledge?
4.How can Ecclesiastes 1:13 guide our understanding of God's purpose for humanity?
5.How does Ecclesiastes 1:13 connect with Proverbs' teachings on wisdom and understanding?
6.In what ways can we apply Ecclesiastes 1:13 to our spiritual growth today?
7.What does Ecclesiastes 1:13 reveal about the nature of human wisdom and understanding?
8.How does Ecclesiastes 1:13 challenge the pursuit of knowledge as a meaningful endeavor?
9.Why does Ecclesiastes 1:13 describe the quest for wisdom as a burdensome task from God?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 1?
11.What is the order of the Bible's books?
12.Throughout Proverbs 8, wisdom is personified. Does this depiction align or conflict with other biblical references to God's attributes (e.g., John 1:1-3)?
13.Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 promotes partnership, yet 4:13-16 points to the fleeting nature of leadership--does this suggest a contradiction in views on societal structure?
14.How is Jesus represented in each book of the Bible?What Does Ecclesiastes 1:13 Mean
And I set my mind• Solomon begins with a conscious, deliberate choice. He does not drift into investigation; he fixes his attention, showing personal responsibility for what he will discover (Colossians 3:2;Daniel 10:12).
• The wording stresses intentionality—our thoughts do not have to rule us; we can rule them, bringing them “captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).
• From the outset Scripture reminds us that the life of the mind matters to God (Mark 12:30).
to seek and explore• “Seek” implies persistent pursuit; “explore” suggests detailed examination. Both verbs together underline thoroughness, not casual curiosity (Luke 11:9).
•Proverbs 25:2 praises the glory of “searching out a matter,” showing God welcomes honest investigation.
• The quest is wide-ranging; Solomon is not looking at one corner of life but turning over every stone.
by wisdom• The tool for this exploration is God-given wisdom, not mere opinion (Proverbs 9:10).
• Solomon had already received “a wise and discerning heart” from the LORD (1 Kings 3:12), yet even that wisdom will show its limits when disconnected from obedience.
•James 1:5 promises God still grants wisdom today to any who ask in faith, encouraging believers to approach life’s questions with confidence in His generosity.
all that is done under heaven• The canvas is nothing less than the totality of human activity—work, art, politics, relationships—everything “under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:14).
•Psalm 33:13-15 notes that the LORD observes all mankind; Solomon is attempting, on a smaller scale, to do the same.
• By surveying the whole field, he hopes to find lasting meaning—or prove its absence apart from God.
What a miserable task• Confronting life’s contradictions and pains without immediate heavenly clarity is hard, even for the wisest man.
•Romans 8:20 speaks of creation “subjected to futility,” echoing Solomon’s sigh. The burden is real; brokenness pervades every endeavor.
•Genesis 3:17-19 traces that misery back to the curse of sin, reminding us that frustration was never God’s original design.
God has laid upon the sons of men• The difficulty is not accidental. God Himself has allowed this burden, using it as a tool to awaken dependence and humility (Ecclesiastes 3:10).
•Deuteronomy 8:2 shows the LORD testing Israel in the wilderness “to know what was in your heart.” Similarly, the weight of life reveals our true condition.
• Far from being cruel, this divine assignment draws people toward the only lasting answer—Himself (John 6:68).
to occupy them• The daily grind keeps humanity from self-destructive idleness and forces us to wrestle with eternal questions (Acts 17:26-27).
• God intends that work, study, and even frustration prod us toward the “good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).
• When we remember the Lord’s purpose, ordinary labor becomes meaningful service rather than pointless toil (1 Corinthians 15:58).
summarySolomon intentionally engages his God-given mind to probe every human pursuit. Armed with wisdom, he surveys life “under heaven” and finds that, apart from God, the task is wearisome and empty. Yet the very burden is divinely appointed, steering us away from self-reliance and into the arms of the Creator. In Christ, our seeking is not futile; wisdom leads beyond observation to redemption, transforming daily toil into purposeful, God-honoring work.
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Gave my heart.--The phrase occurs again in this book (
Ecclesiastes 1:17;
Ecclesiastes 7:25;
Ecclesiastes 8:9;
Ecclesiastes 8:16) and often elsewhere. (See
Daniel 10:12;
2Chronicles 11:16, &c) The heart among the Hebrews is regarded as the seat, not merely of the feelings, but of the intellectual faculties, and so the word is constantly used in what follows. "I gave my heart" is the same as "I applied my mind." . . .
Verse 13. -
I gave my heart (ver. 17;
Ecclesiastes 7:25;
Daniel 10:12). The heart, in the Hebrew conception, was the seat, not of the affections only, but of the understanding and intellectual faculties generally. So the expression here is equivalent to "I applied my mind."
To seek and search out. The two words are not synonymous. The former verb (
דָּרַשׁ,
darash) implies penetrating into the depth of an object before one; the other word (
תּוּר,
tur) taking a comprehensive survey of matters further away; so that two methods and scopes of investigation are signified.
By wisdom;
ἐν τῇ σοφίᾳ (Septuagint). Wisdom was the means or instrument by which he carried on his researches, which were directed, not merely to the collecting of facts, but to investigating the causes and conditions of things.
Concerning all things that are done under heaven;
i.
e. men's actions and conduct, political, social, and private life. We have "under the sun" in ver. 9, and again in ver. 14. Here there is no question of physical matters, the phenomena of the material world, but only of human circumstances and interests.
This sore travail (rather,
this is a sore travail that)
God hath given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith. The word rendered "travail" (
עִנְיָן,
inyan) occurs often in this book (
e.g.,
Ecclesiastes 2:23, 26, etc.), and nowhere else in the Old Testament. The same root is found in the word translated "exercised;" hence Wright has, "It is a woeful exercise which God has given to the sons of men wherewith to exercise themselves." If we
keep to the word "travail," we may render, "to travail
therein." It implies distracting business, engrossing occupation. Septuagint,
περισπασμόν; Vulgate,
occupationem. Man feels himself constrained to make this laborious investigation, yet the result is most unsatisfactory, as the next verse shows. "God" is here
Elohim, and so throughout the book, the name
Jehovah (the God of the covenant, the God of Israel) never once occurring. Those who regard Solomon as the author of the book account for this on the plea that the king, in his latest years, reflecting sadly on his backsliding and fall, shrank from uttering with his polluted lips the adorable Name once so often used with filial reverence and beloved. But the true reason is found in the design of Koheleth, which was to set forth, not so much Israel's position under the covenant, as the condition of man in the face of the God of nature. The idiosyncrasies and peculiar features of the chosen people are not the subject of his essay; he deals with a wider sphere; his theme is man in his relation to Divine providence; and for this power he uses that name, common alike to the true and false religions,
Elohim, applied to the Supreme Being by believers and idolaters.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
And I setוְנָתַ֣תִּי(wə·nā·ṯat·tî)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5414:To give, put, setmy mindלִבִּ֗י(lib·bî)Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3820:The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centreto seekלִדְר֤וֹשׁ(liḏ·rō·wōš)Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1875:To tread, frequent, to follow, to seek, ask, to worshipand exploreוְלָתוּר֙(wə·lā·ṯūr)Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 8446:To meander, about, for, trade, reconnoitringby wisdomבַּֽחָכְמָ֔ה(ba·ḥā·ḵə·māh)Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2451:Wisdomallכָּל־(kāl-)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everythatאֲשֶׁ֥ר(’ă·šer)Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834:Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order thatis doneנַעֲשָׂ֖ה(na·‘ă·śāh)Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213:To do, makeunderתַּ֣חַת(ta·ḥaṯ)Preposition
Strong's 8478:The bottom, below, in lieu ofheaven.הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם(haš·šā·mā·yim)Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064:Heaven, skyWhatה֣וּא ׀(hū)Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931:He, self, the same, this, that, as, area heavyרָ֗ע(rā‘)Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7451:Bad, evilburdenעִנְיַ֣ן(‘in·yan)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6045:Ado, employment, an affairGodאֱלֹהִ֛ים(’ĕ·lō·hîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlativehas laid onנָתַ֧ן(nā·ṯan)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414:To give, put, setthe sonsלִבְנֵ֥י(liḇ·nê)Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121:A sonof men,הָאָדָ֖ם(hā·’ā·ḏām)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120:Ruddy, a human beingto keep them occupied!לַעֲנ֥וֹת(la·‘ă·nō·wṯ)Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6031:To be bowed down or afflicted
Links
Ecclesiastes 1:13 NIVEcclesiastes 1:13 NLTEcclesiastes 1:13 ESVEcclesiastes 1:13 NASBEcclesiastes 1:13 KJV
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OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 1:13 I applied my heart to seek (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) 
