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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ecclesiastes 7:24 What exists is out of reach and very deep. Who can fathom it?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/7-24.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/21_Ecc_07_24.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ecclesiastes 7:24 - The Limits of Human Wisdom" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="What exists is out of reach and very deep. 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Who can fathom it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />As for that which is far off and exceedingly deep, Who can find it out?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />What has been is remote and very mysterious. Who can discover it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />What has been is remote and exceedingly mysterious. Who can discover it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />What has been is remote and exceedingly mysterious. Who can discover it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />What has been is far away and exceedingly deep. Who can find it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Whatever has been is far off, deeply remote and exceedingly mysterious. Who can discover it [for it is beyond the grasp of man]?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />What exists is beyond reach and very deep. Who can discover it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />What exists is beyond reach and very deep. Who can discover it? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />That which is, is far off and exceeding deep; who can find it out?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The truth is beyond us. It's far too deep. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />That which is is far off, and exceeding deep; who can find it out?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Whatever wisdom may be, it is out of reach. It is deep, very deep. Who can find out what it is?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />How can anyone discover what life means? It is too deep for us, too hard to understand. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Whatever it is, it's far off and most profound. Who can attain it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ecclesiastes/7.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Whatever has happened is beyond human understanding; it is far deeper than anyone can fathom. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />That which is, is far off and exceedingly deep. Who can find it out?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />That which is far off, and exceedingly deep, who can find it out?<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />What exists is out of reach and very deep. Who can fathom it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ecclesiastes/7.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />That which is, is far off and exceedingly deep. Who can find it out? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Far off [is] that which has been, and deep, deep, who finds it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Far off is that which hath been, and deep, deep, who doth find it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />What was far off, and the depth, deep, who shall find it?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Much more than it was: it is a great depth, who shall find it out? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 7:25>so much more than it was before. Wisdom is very profound, so who shall reveal her?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />What exists is far-reaching; it is deep, very deep: Who can find it out?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />That which is, is far off, and deep, very deep; who can find it out?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Yea, wisdom was far off; it also had depth beyond depth; who can find it out?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Beyond all that is distant and the depth of depths; who will find it?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/7.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />That which is is far off, and exceeding deep; who can find it out?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br /><i>That which is</i> far beyond what was, and a great depth, who shall find it out?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/7-24.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8-2fxj-VcEg?start=1352" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">The Limits of Human Wisdom</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">23</span>All this I tested by wisdom, saying, “I resolve to be wise.” But it was beyond me. <span class="reftext">24</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: mah- (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">What</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: še·hā·yāh (Pro-r:: V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">exists</a> <a href="/hebrew/7350.htm" title="7350: rā·ḥō·wq (Adj-ms) -- Or rachoq; from rachaq; remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially.">is out of reach</a> <a href="/hebrew/6013.htm" title="6013: wə·‘ā·mōq (Conj-w:: Adj-ms) -- From amaq; deep.">and very deep.</a> <a href="/hebrew/6013.htm" title="6013: ‘ā·mōq (Adj-ms) -- From amaq; deep."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4310.htm" title="4310: mî (Interrog) -- An interrogative pronoun of persons, as mah is of things, who?; also whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix.">Who</a> <a href="/hebrew/4672.htm" title="4672: yim·ṣā·’en·nū (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms:: 3mse) -- To attain to, find. ">can fathom it?</a> </span><span class="reftext">25</span>I 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.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/28-12.htm">Job 28:12-28</a></span><br />But where can wisdom be found, and where does understanding dwell? / No man can know its value, nor is it found in the land of the living. / The ocean depths say, ‘It is not in me,’ while the sea declares, ‘It is not with me.’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/30-3.htm">Proverbs 30:3-4</a></span><br />I have not learned wisdom, and I have no knowledge of the Holy One. / Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in His hands? Who has bound up the waters in His cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is the name of His Son—surely you know!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/11-33.htm">Romans 11:33</a></span><br />O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/2-11.htm">1 Corinthians 2:11</a></span><br />For who among men knows the thoughts of man except his own spirit within him? So too, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8-9</a></span><br />“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. / “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/11-7.htm">Job 11:7-9</a></span><br />Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty? / They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol—what can you know? / Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/139-6.htm">Psalm 139:6</a></span><br />Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/25-2.htm">Proverbs 25:2</a></span><br />It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/13-12.htm">1 Corinthians 13:12</a></span><br />Now we see but a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/92-5.htm">Psalm 92:5</a></span><br />How great are Your works, O LORD, how deep are Your thoughts!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/17-9.htm">Jeremiah 17:9-10</a></span><br />The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? / I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/11-25.htm">Matthew 11:25-27</a></span><br />At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. / Yes, Father, for this was well-pleasing in Your sight. / All things have been entrusted to Me by My Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/2-3.htm">Colossians 2:3</a></span><br />in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/145-3.htm">Psalm 145:3</a></span><br />Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; His greatness is unsearchable.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/2-22.htm">Daniel 2:22</a></span><br />He reveals the deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/30-11.htm">Deuteronomy 30:11-14</a></b></br> For this commandment which I command thee this day, it <i>is</i> not hidden from thee, neither <i>is</i> it far off… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/11-7.htm">Job 11:7,8</a></b></br> Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/28-12.htm">Job 28:12-23,28</a></b></br> But where shall wisdom be found? and where <i>is</i> the place of understanding? … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/26-15.htm">Deep</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-14.htm">Discover</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-24.htm">Exceeding</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-24.htm">Exceedingly</a> <a href="/job/3-16.htm">Existence</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-23.htm">Far</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-14.htm">Find</a> <a href="/daniel/2-22.htm">Mysterious</a> <a href="/psalms/92-5.htm">Profound</a> <a href="/nehemiah/1-9.htm">Remote</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-5.htm">True.</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-10.htm">Whatever</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-23.htm">Wisdom</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/songs/8-7.htm">Deep</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-27.htm">Discover</a> <a href="/isaiah/26-15.htm">Exceeding</a> <a href="/isaiah/24-19.htm">Exceedingly</a> <a href="/luke/11-44.htm">Existence</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-1.htm">Far</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-26.htm">Find</a> <a href="/daniel/2-22.htm">Mysterious</a> <a href="/daniel/2-22.htm">Profound</a> <a href="/isaiah/8-9.htm">Remote</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-27.htm">True.</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-3.htm">Whatever</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-25.htm">Wisdom</a><div class="vheading2">Ecclesiastes 7</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-1.htm">remedies against vanity are, a good name</a></span><br><span class="reftext">2. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-2.htm">mortification</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-7.htm">patience</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-11.htm">wisdom</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-23.htm">The difficulty of wisdom</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ecclesiastes/7.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>What exists</b><br>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 in <a href="/isaiah/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8-9</a>.<p><b>is out of reach</b><br>The idea here is that certain aspects of life and divine wisdom are beyond human comprehension. This echoes the sentiment found in <a href="/job/11-7.htm">Job 11:7-9</a>, 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.<p><b>and very deep</b><br>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 to <a href="/romans/11-33.htm">Romans 11:33</a>, where Paul marvels at the depth of the riches of God's wisdom and knowledge.<p><b>Who can fathom it?</b><br>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 in <a href="/proverbs/3-5.htm">Proverbs 3:5-6</a>, which advises trust in the Lord over one's own understanding.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>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.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The city where Solomon reigned as king and where he likely composed much of his wisdom literature.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_preacher.htm">The Preacher (Qoheleth)</a></b><br>The voice in Ecclesiastes, often identified with Solomon, who explores the meaning of life and the limits of human understanding.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_limits_of_human_understanding.htm">The Limits of Human Understanding</a></b><br>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.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_pursuit_of_wisdom.htm">The Pursuit of Wisdom</a></b><br>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.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_sovereignty.htm">Trust in God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Recognizing the depth of God's wisdom should lead us to trust in His sovereign plan, even when we do not understand it fully.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_faith.htm">The Role of Faith</a></b><br>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.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/encouragement_in_mystery.htm">Encouragement in Mystery</a></b><br>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.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ecclesiastes_7.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 7</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_ecclesiastes_4_2-3_contradict_pro-life.htm">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?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_no_records_of_priests'_conversion.htm">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?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_ecclesiastes_7_13_challenge_free_will.htm">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?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_eccl._7_1_value_life_biblically.htm">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?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(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 in <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-9.htm" title="The thing that has been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.">Ecclesiastes 1:9</a>, <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-15.htm" title="That which has been is now; and that which is to be has already been; and God requires that which is past.">Ecclesiastes 3:15</a>. (See <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-17.htm" title="Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labor to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yes farther; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.">Ecclesiastes 8:17</a>.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 24.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?</span> 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. <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:11</a>; <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-17.htm">Ecclesiastes 8:17</a>). 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 (<span class="greek">τῶν ὄντων</span> <span class="greek">γνῶσιν ἀψευδῆ</span>)," 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 (<span class="greek">αὔτη</span>) was far from me, far beyond what was (<span class="greek">μακρὰν ὑπὲρ</span> <span class="greek">ο{ η΅ν</span>), and deep depth: who shall find it out?" (For the epithet "deep" applied to what is recondite or what is beyond human comprehension, comp. <a href="/proverbs/20-5.htm">Proverbs 20:5</a>; <a href="/job/11-8.htm">Job 11:8</a>.) <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/7-24.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">What</span><br /><span class="heb">מַה־</span> <span class="translit">(mah-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">exists</span><br /><span class="heb">שֶּׁהָיָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(še·hā·yāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative | Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is out of reach</span><br /><span class="heb">רָח֖וֹק</span> <span class="translit">(rā·ḥō·wq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7350.htm">Strong's 7350: </a> </span><span class="str2">Remote, of place, time, precious</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and very deep.</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעָמֹ֥ק ׀</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘ā·mōq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6013.htm">Strong's 6013: </a> </span><span class="str2">Deep</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Who</span><br /><span class="heb">מִ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(mî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4310.htm">Strong's 4310: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix</span><br /><br /><span class="word">can fathom it?</span><br /><span class="heb">יִמְצָאֶֽנּוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(yim·ṣā·’en·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4672.htm">Strong's 4672: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/7-24.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:24 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/7-24.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:24 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/7-24.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:24 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/7-24.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:24 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/7-24.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:24 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/7-24.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:24 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/7-24.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:24 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/7-24.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:24 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/7-24.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:24 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/7-24.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:24 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-24.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 7:24 That which is is far off (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-23.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 7:23"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 7:23" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-25.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 7:25"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 7:25" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>