Movatterモバイル変換

The Limits of Human Wisdom
…28While my soul was still searching but not finding, among a thousand I have found one upright man, but among all these I have not found one such woman.29Onlythishave I found:I have discoveredthatGodmademenupright,but theyhave sought outmanyschemes.”

Treasury of Scripture

See, this only have I found, that God has made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.

god

Genesis 1:26,27
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth…

Genesis 5:1
Thisis the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;

they

Genesis 3:6,7
And when the woman saw that the treewas good for food, and that itwas pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to makeone wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat…

Genesis 6:5,6,11,12
And GOD saw that the wickedness of manwas great in the earth, andthat every imagination of the thoughts of his heartwas only evil continually…

Genesis 11:4-6
And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose topmay reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth…

AloneDevicesFoundInventionsMankindSchemesSearchSearchingSortsSoughtUprightAloneDevicesFoundInventionsMankindSchemesSearchSearchingSortsSoughtUpright1.remedies against vanity are, a good name
2.mortification
7.patience
11.wisdom
23.The difficulty of wisdom

Only this have I found:
The speaker, traditionally understood to be Solomon, emphasizes a singular, significant discovery amidst his extensive search for wisdom and understanding. This phrase underscores the importance of the following insight, suggesting it is a distilled truth from his experiences and observations. In the broader context of Ecclesiastes, the search for meaning and the limitations of human wisdom are recurring themes.

I have discovered that God made mankind upright:
This phrase reflects the biblical teaching of humanity's original state of righteousness and innocence, as seen inGenesis 1:31, where God declares His creation "very good." The term "upright" suggests moral integrity and alignment with God's will. This aligns with the doctrine of the imago Dei, the belief that humans were created in the image of God, possessing inherent dignity and moral capacity.

but they have sought out many schemes:
Here, the text shifts to humanity's deviation from their original state. The word "schemes" implies plans or devices that are often self-serving or deceitful. This reflects the biblical narrative of the Fall inGenesis 3, where Adam and Eve's disobedience introduced sin into the world. The phrase suggests a propensity for moral corruption and the pursuit of self-interest, echoing themes found inRomans 1:21-23, where humanity's rejection of God leads to futile thinking and idolatry. This deviation from uprightness is a central theme in the biblical understanding of sin and its consequences.

1.Solomon
Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the king of Israel known for his wisdom. He reflects on the nature of humanity and the pursuit of meaning in life.

2.God
The Creator who made humanity upright, indicating His original design and intention for mankind to live in righteousness and harmony with His will.

3.Men (Humanity)
Refers to all of humanity, highlighting the universal nature of the human condition and the tendency to deviate from God's original design.

4.Schemes
Represents the various ways in which humans deviate from God's path, seeking their own ways and plans that lead away from righteousness.

5.The Fall
An implicit reference to the event in Genesis where humanity first turned away from God's command, introducing sin into the world.God's Original Design
God created humanity with an upright nature, reflecting His righteousness and moral order. Recognize and appreciate the goodness of God's original design for our lives.

Human Deviation
Acknowledge the reality of sin and the human tendency to stray from God's path. Reflect on personal areas where you may be seeking your own schemes rather than God's will.

The Need for Redemption
Understand that because humanity has sought out many schemes, there is a need for redemption through Jesus Christ. Embrace the grace and forgiveness offered through faith in Him.

Pursuing Righteousness
Strive to align your life with God's original design by seeking His wisdom and guidance in all areas of life. Commit to living uprightly in accordance with His Word.

Self-Examination
Regularly examine your life for areas where you may be following your own plans instead of God's. Seek accountability and support from fellow believers to stay on the right path.1.What is the meaning of Ecclesiastes 7:29?

2.How does Ecclesiastes 7:29 highlight the original righteousness of humanity?

3.What does "God made man upright" reveal about God's intentions for humanity?

4.How can we avoid the "many schemes" mentioned in Ecclesiastes 7:29?

5.Compare Ecclesiastes 7:29 with Genesis 1:31 on God's creation of humanity.

6.How can we align our lives with God's original design in Ecclesiastes 7:29?

7.What does Ecclesiastes 7:29 reveal about human nature according to the Berean Standard Bible?

8.How does Ecclesiastes 7:29 challenge the belief in inherent human goodness?

9.What historical context influences the message of Ecclesiastes 7:29?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 7?

11.Ecclesiastes 7:29 states God made humanity upright, yet they chose many schemes—how does this reconcile with evolutionary science and humanity’s moral progression?

12.Why worry about those who do wrong?

13.In Ecclesiastes 12:7, how can the phrase 'the spirit returns to God' be reconciled with scientific understandings of consciousness and death?

14.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?Only this have I found

Solomon signals that what follows is the distilled conclusion of his exhaustive search for wisdom (Ecclesiastes 1:13-17; 12:9-10).

• The phrase highlights certainty after testing every alternative (cf.Proverbs 25:2).

• Like a researcher sharing final results, Solomon is about to lay down a foundational truth everyone must reckon with.

• His wording echoes the tone of closing arguments elsewhere in the book—“Here is the conclusion of the matter” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

---

I have discovered that God made mankind upright

• God’s design was righteous and flawless (Genesis 1:26-31; 1:31). Creation began in innocence, not moral ambiguity.

•Psalm 25:8 affirms that the Lord “instructs sinners in the way,” underscoring that deviation came later, not from His hand.

•Ecclesiastes 3:11 reminds us that He “has made everything beautiful in its time.” Uprightness was humanity’s original condition.

• The statement carries hope: if God made us upright once, He can restore uprightness again (Isaiah 64:8;Ephesians 2:10).

---

but they have sought out many schemes

Instead of walking the straight path, people intentionally devised crooked routes.

•Genesis 3:1-6 shows the first “scheme,” where Adam and Eve questioned God’s word.

•Genesis 6:5 describes the downward spiral: “every inclination of the thoughts of their hearts was altogether evil all the time.”

•Isaiah 53:6 captures the universal pattern: “We all like sheep have gone astray.”

•Romans 1:21-23 portrays the intellectual side—“their thinking became futile.”

•James 4:1-3 exposes relational fallout—conflict springs from desires that plot and plan.

Common schemes include:

– redefining truth to suit personal preference (Judges 21:25)

– idolizing success, pleasure, or self (1 John 2:16)

– manipulating others for gain (Micah 2:1)

– religious self-righteousness that sidesteps grace (Matthew 23:27)

Yet even our multiplied schemes cannot thwart God’s redemptive plan (Romans 5:15-19;2 Corinthians 5:17).

---

summary

Solomon’s verdict is stark yet hope-filled: God’s handiwork was straight; our choices bent it. The verse explains why the world feels out of joint while affirming that the fault lies not in the Creator but in human hearts. Recognizing this contrast points us away from our own schemes and back to the God who first made us upright and still offers to make us new in Christ.

Verse 29. -Lo, this only (or,only see! this)have I found. Universal corruption was that which met his wide investigations, but of one thing he was sure, which he proceeds to specify - he has learned to trace the degradation to its source, not in God's agency, but in man's perverse will.That God hath made man upright. Koheleth believes that man's original constitution wasyasbar, "straight," "right," "morally good," and possessed of ability to choose and follow what was just and right (Genesis 1:26, etc.). Thus in the Book of Wisdom (2:23) we read, "God created man to be immortal, and made him an imago of his own nature (ἰιότητος). Nevertheless, through envy of the devil, came death into the world, and they that are his portion tempt it."But they (men) have sought out many inventions (chishshebonoth);2 Chronicles 26:15, where the term implies works of invention, and is translated "engines,"i.e. devices, ways of going astray and deviating from original righteousness. Man has thus abased his free-will, and employed the inventive faculty with which he was endowed in excoriating evil (Genesis 6:5). How this state of things came about, how the originally good man became thus wicked, the writer does not tell. He knows from revelation that God made him upright; he knows from experience that he is now evil; and he leaves the matter there. Plumptre quotes, as illustrating our text, a passage from the 'Antigone' of Sophocles, vers. 332, 365, 366, which he renders-

"Many the things that strange and wondrous are,
None stranger and mere wonderful than man....
And lo, with all this skill,
Wise and inventive still,
Beyond hope's dream,
He now to good inclines,
And now to ill." We may add AEschylus, 'Choeph.,' vers. 585, etc. -

Πολλὰ μέν γᾶ τρέφει
δεινὰ δειμάτων ἄχη...
ἀλλ ὑπέρτολμον
ἀνδρὸς φόνημα τίς λέγοι;

"Many fearful plagues
Earth nourishes...
But man's audacious spirit
Who can tell?" Horace, 'Carm.,' 1:3. 25 - . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...

Only
לְבַד֙(lə·ḇaḏ)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 905:Separation, a part of the body, branch of a, tree, bar for, carrying, chief of

this
זֶ֣ה(zeh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088:This, that

have I found:
רְאֵה־(rə·’êh-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 7200:To see

I have discovered
מָצָ֔אתִי(mā·ṣā·ṯî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 4672:To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present

that
אֲשֶׁ֨ר(’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834:Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

God
הָאֱלֹהִ֛ים(hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

made
עָשָׂ֧ה(‘ā·śāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213:To do, make

men
הָאָדָ֖ם(hā·’ā·ḏām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120:Ruddy, a human being

upright,
יָשָׁ֑ר(yā·šār)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 3477:Straight, right

but they
וְהֵ֥מָּה(wə·hêm·māh)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992:They

have sought out
בִקְשׁ֖וּ(ḇiq·šū)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1245:To search out, to strive after

many
רַבִּֽים׃(rab·bîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7227:Much, many, great

schemes.”
חִשְּׁבֹנ֥וֹת(ḥiš·šə·ḇō·nō·wṯ)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2810:A contrivance, actual, mental


Ecclesiastes 7:29 NIV
Ecclesiastes 7:29 NLT
Ecclesiastes 7:29 ESV
Ecclesiastes 7:29 NASB
Ecclesiastes 7:29 KJV

Ecclesiastes 7:29 BibleApps.com
Ecclesiastes 7:29 Biblia Paralela
Ecclesiastes 7:29 Chinese Bible
Ecclesiastes 7:29 French Bible
Ecclesiastes 7:29 Catholic Bible

OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 7:29 Behold this only have I found: that (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.)