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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 1:8 All things are wearisome, more than one can describe; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear content with hearing.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/1-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/21_Ecc_01_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ecclesiastes 1:8 - Everything is Futile" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="All things are wearisome, more than one can describe; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear content with hearing." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/ecclesiastes/1-8.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/ecclesiastes/1-8.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/ecclesiastes/">Ecclesiastes</a> > <a href="/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Chapter 1</a> > Verse 8</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ecclesiastes/1-7.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 1:7">◄</a> Ecclesiastes 1:8 <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-9.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 1:9">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">New International Version</a> All things are wearisome, more than one can say. The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing. <a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/1.htm">New Living Translation</a> Everything is wearisome beyond description. No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content. <a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">English Standard Version</a> All things are full of weariness; a man cannot utter it; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. <a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> All things are wearisome, more than one can describe; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear content with hearing. <a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">King James Bible</a> All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. <a href="/nkjv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">New King James Version</a> All things are full of labor; Man cannot express it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, Nor the ear filled with hearing. <a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> All things are wearisome; No one can tell it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, Nor is the ear filled with hearing. <a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">NASB 1995</a> All things are wearisome; Man is not able to tell it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, Nor is the ear filled with hearing. <a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a> All things are wearisome; Man is not able to tell it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, Nor is the ear filled with hearing. <a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> All things are wearisome; Man is not able to speak of it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, Nor is the ear filled with hearing. <a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a> All things are wearisome and all words are frail; Man cannot express it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, Nor is the ear filled with hearing. <a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> All things are wearisome, more than anyone can say. The eye is not satisfied by seeing or the ear filled with hearing. <a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> All things are wearisome; man is unable to speak. The eye is not satisfied by seeing or the ear filled with hearing. <a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">American Standard Version</a> All things are full of weariness; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. <a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> All of life is far more boring than words could ever say. Our eyes and our ears are never satisfied with what we see and hear. <a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">English Revised Version</a> All things are full of weariness; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. <a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> All of these sayings are worn-out phrases. They are more than anyone can express, comprehend, or understand. <a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Good News Translation</a> Everything leads to weariness--a weariness too great for words. Our eyes can never see enough to be satisfied; our ears can never hear enough. <a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">International Standard Version</a> Everything is wearisome, more than man is able to express. The eye is never satisfied by seeing, nor the ear by hearing. <a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> All things are wearisome, more than one can describe; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear content with hearing. <a href="/net/ecclesiastes/1.htm">NET Bible</a> All this monotony is tiresome; no one can bear to describe it: The eye is never satisfied with seeing, nor is the ear ever content with hearing. <a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> All things are full of weariness beyond uttering. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. <a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> All things are full of labor; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. <a href="/web/ecclesiastes/1.htm">World English Bible</a> All things are full of weariness beyond uttering. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> All these things are wearying; a man is not able to speak, the eye is not satisfied by seeing, nor is the ear filled from hearing. <a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> All these things are wearying; a man is not able to speak, the eye is not satisfied by seeing, nor filled is the ear from hearing. <a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> All words becoming weary; man shall not be able to speak: the eye shall not be satisfied to see, and the ear shall not be filled from hearing.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> All things are hard: man cannot explain them by word. The eye is not filled with seeing, neither is the ear filled with hearing. <a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Such things are difficult; man is not able to explain them with words. The eye is not satisfied by seeing, nor is the ear fulfilled by hearing. <a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/1.htm">New American Bible</a> All things are wearisome, too wearisome for words. The eye is not satisfied by seeing nor has the ear enough of hearing. <a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> All things are wearisome; more than one can express; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, or the ear filled with hearing.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> All things are wearisome: a man is not satisfied with utterance, his eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor his ear satisfied with hearing. <a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> All accounts are wearisome; a man will not be satisfied to speak and the eye is not satisfied to see and the ear is not filled with hearing<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> All things toil to weariness; Man cannot utter it, The eye is not satisfied with seeing, Nor the ear filled with hearing. <a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> All things are full of labour; a man will not be able to speak of them: neither shall the eye be satisfied with seeing, neither shall the ear be filled with hearing. <a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/1-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8-2fxj-VcEg?start=55" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Everything is Futile</a> …7All the rivers flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full; to the place from which the streams come, there again they flow. 8<a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">All</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: had·də·ḇā·rîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">things</a> <a href="/hebrew/3023.htm" title="3023: yə·ḡê·‘îm (Adj-mp) -- Weary, wearisome. From yaga'; tired; hence tiresome.">are wearisome,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">more</a> <a href="/hebrew/3201.htm" title="3201: yū·ḵal (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To be able, have power. Or yakowl; a primitive root; to be able, literally or morally."></a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">than one</a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: lə·ḏab·bêr (Prep-l:: V-Piel-Inf) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">can describe;</a> <a href="/hebrew/5869.htm" title="5869: ‘a·yin (N-cs) -- An eye. Probably a primitive word; an eye; by analogy, a fountain.">the eye</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">is not</a> <a href="/hebrew/7646.htm" title="7646: ṯiś·ba‘ (V-Qal-Imperf-3fs) -- To be sated, satisfied or surfeited. Or sabeay; a primitive root; to sate, i.e. Fill to satisfaction.">satisfied</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: lir·’ō·wṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">with seeing,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō- (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">nor</a> <a href="/hebrew/241.htm" title="241: ’ō·zen (N-fs) -- An ear. From 'azan; broadness. I.e. the ear.">the ear</a> <a href="/hebrew/4390.htm" title="4390: ṯim·mā·lê (V-Nifal-Imperf-3fs) -- To be full, to fill. Or malae; a primitive root, to fill or be full of, in a wide application.">content</a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: miš·šə·mō·a‘ (Prep-m:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">with hearing.</a> 9What has been will be again, and what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/romans/8-20.htm">Romans 8:20-22</a> For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope / that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. / We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time. <a href="/job/7-7.htm">Job 7:7</a> Remember that my life is but a breath. My eyes will never again see happiness. <a href="/genesis/3-17.htm">Genesis 3:17-19</a> And to Adam He said: “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat, cursed is the ground because of you; through toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. / Both thorns and thistles it will yield for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. / By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground—because out of it were you taken. For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.” <a href="/isaiah/55-2.htm">Isaiah 55:2</a> Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods. <a href="/matthew/11-28.htm">Matthew 11:28</a> Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. <a href="/psalms/90-10.htm">Psalm 90:10</a> The length of our days is seventy years—or eighty if we are strong—yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. <a href="/2_corinthians/4-16.htm">2 Corinthians 4:16-18</a> Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day. / For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison. / So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. <a href="/isaiah/40-28.htm">Isaiah 40:28-31</a> Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary; His understanding is beyond searching out. / He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak. / Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall. ... <a href="/job/14-1.htm">Job 14:1</a> “Man, who is born of woman, is short of days and full of trouble. <a href="/1_john/2-16.htm">1 John 2:16-17</a> For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. / The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever. <a href="/psalms/39-5.htm">Psalm 39:5-6</a> You, indeed, have made my days as handbreadths, and my lifetime as nothing before You. Truly each man at his best exists as but a breath. Selah / Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away. <a href="/romans/8-18.htm">Romans 8:18</a> I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us. <a href="/isaiah/57-10.htm">Isaiah 57:10</a> You are wearied by your many journeys, but you did not say, “There is no hope!” You found renewal of your strength; therefore you did not grow weak. <a href="/2_peter/1-4.htm">2 Peter 1:4</a> Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, now that you have escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. <a href="/psalms/73-25.htm">Psalm 73:25-26</a> Whom have I in heaven but You? And on earth I desire no one besides You. / My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>All things are full of labor; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.full<a href="/ecclesiastes/2-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:11,26</a> Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun… <a href="/matthew/11-28.htm">Matthew 11:28</a> Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.<a href="/romans/8-22.htm">Romans 8:22,23</a> For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now… man<a href="/ecclesiastes/4-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:1-4</a> So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter… <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-24.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:24-26</a> That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out? … the eye<a href="/ecclesiastes/4-8.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:8</a> There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.<a href="/ecclesiastes/5-10.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:10,11</a> He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity… <a href="/psalms/63-5.htm">Psalm 63:5</a> My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/30-21.htm">Able</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-9.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-16.htm">Enough</a> <a href="/psalms/106-2.htm">Express</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-17.htm">Eye</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-19.htm">Fill</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-22.htm">Filled</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-7.htm">Full</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-9.htm">Hearing</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-4.htm">Labour</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-22.htm">Satisfied</a> <a href="/psalms/143-8.htm">Story</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-3.htm">Toil</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-33.htm">Utter</a> <a href="/psalms/27-2.htm">Uttering</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-1.htm">Weariness</a> <a href="/psalms/73-16.htm">Wearisome</a> <a href="/psalms/77-2.htm">Wearying</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/1-15.htm">Able</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-1.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-10.htm">Enough</a> <a href="/ezekiel/33-31.htm">Express</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-8.htm">Eye</a> <a href="/isaiah/8-8.htm">Fill</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-3.htm">Filled</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-23.htm">Full</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-21.htm">Hearing</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-18.htm">Labour</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-8.htm">Satisfied</a> <a href="/isaiah/37-11.htm">Story</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-10.htm">Toil</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-2.htm">Utter</a> <a href="/isaiah/59-13.htm">Uttering</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-15.htm">Weariness</a> <a href="/job/7-3.htm">Wearisome</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-12.htm">Wearying</a><div class="vheading2">Ecclesiastes 1</div>1. <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-1.htm">the preacher shows that all human courses are vain</a> 4. <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-4.htm">because the creatures are restless in their courses</a> 9. <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-9.htm">they bring forth nothing new, and all old things are forgotten</a> 12. <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-12.htm">and because he has found it so in the studies of wisdom</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div>All things are wearisome The Hebrew word for "wearisome" is "yaga," which conveys a sense of laborious toil and exhaustion. In the context of Ecclesiastes, this phrase reflects the Preacher's (traditionally understood as Solomon) observation of the repetitive and burdensome nature of life under the sun. Historically, this reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of life's cyclical and often monotonous nature, where human efforts seem to yield little lasting satisfaction or change. From a conservative Christian perspective, this weariness points to the fallen state of the world, where sin has marred the original perfection of creation, leading to a sense of futility in human endeavors.more than one can describe The phrase suggests an overwhelming sense of weariness that surpasses human ability to fully articulate. The Hebrew root "dabar" often means "to speak" or "to declare," indicating that the extent of life's burdens is beyond verbal expression. This aligns with the biblical theme of human limitation and the mystery of God's greater plan, which is often beyond human comprehension. In a conservative Christian view, this underscores the need for divine revelation and wisdom to navigate life's complexities.the eye is not satisfied with seeing The Hebrew word "saba" means "to be satisfied" or "to have enough." This phrase highlights the insatiable nature of human desire and curiosity. Despite the abundance of visual experiences available, the human eye continually seeks more, reflecting a deeper spiritual longing that cannot be fulfilled by earthly sights alone. This can be seen as a metaphor for the human soul's yearning for God, who alone can provide true satisfaction and fulfillment.nor the ear content with hearing Similar to the eye, the ear's inability to be content with hearing points to the endless pursuit of knowledge and experience. The Hebrew word "male" means "to fill" or "to be full," suggesting that no amount of auditory input can fully satisfy the human desire for understanding and meaning. This reflects the biblical truth that true contentment and peace come from hearing and obeying the Word of God, rather than the transient and often conflicting messages of the world.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) This verse is capable of another translation which would give the sense "other instances of the same kind might be mentioned, but they are so numerous that it would be wearisome to recount them," We abide by the rendering of our version.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 8. - All things are full of labor. Taking the word dabar in the sense of "ward" (compare the Greek ῤῆμα), the LXX. translates, "All words are wearisome;" i.e. to go through the whole catalogue of such things as those mentioned in the preceding verses would be a laborious and unprofitable task. The Targum and many modern expositors approve this rendering. But besides that, the word yaged implies suffering, not causing, weariness (<a href="/deuteronomy/25-18.htm">Deuteronomy 25:18</a>; <a href="/job/3-17.htm">Job 3:17</a>); the run of the sentence is unnecessarily interrupted by such an assertion, when one is expecting a conclusion from the instances given above. The Vulgate has, cunetse res difficiles. The idea, as Motais has seen, is this - Man's life is constrained by the same law as his surroundings; he goes on his course subject to influences which he cannot control; in spite of his efforts, he can never be independent. This conclusion is developed in succeeding verses. In the present verse the proposition with which it starts is explained by what follows. All things have been the object of much labor; men have elaborately examined everything; yet the result is most unsatisfactory, the end is not reached; words cannot express it, neither eye nor ear can apprehend it. This is the view of St. Jerome, who writes, "Non solum do physicis, sed de ethicis quoque scirc difficile est. Nec sermo valet explicare causas natu-rasque rerum, nec oculus, ut rei poscit dignitas, intueri, nec auris, instituente doctore, ad summam scientiam pervenirc. Si enim nunc 'per speculum videmus in aenigmate; et ex parte cognoscimus, et ex parte prophetamus,' consequenter nec sermo potest explicate quod nescit; nec oculus in quo caecutit, aspiecre; nec auris, de quo dubitat, impleri." Delitzsch, Nowack, Wright, and others render, "All things are in restless activity;" i.e. constant movement pervades the whole world, and yet no visible conclusion is attained. This, however true, does not seem to be the point insisted on by the author, whose intention is, as we have said, to show that man, like nature, is confined to a circle from which he cannot free himself; and though he uses all the powers with, which he is endowed to penetrate the enigma of life and to rise superior to his environments, he is wholly unable to effect anything in these matters. Man cannot utter it. He cannot explain all things. Koheleth does not affirm that man can know nothing, that he can attain to no certitude, that reason will not teach him to apprehend any truth; his contention is that the inner cause and meaning elude his faculties, that his knowledge is concerned only with accidents and externals, and that there is still some depth which his powers cannot fathom. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. Use his eight as he may, listen to the sounds around him, attend to the instructions of professed teachers, man makes no real advance in knowledge of the mysteries in which he is involved; the paradox is inexplicable. We have, in <a href="/proverbs/27-20.htm">Proverbs 27:20</a>, "Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; and the eyes of man are never satisfied." Plumptre quotes Lucretins's expression (2. 1038)," Fessus satiate videndi." "Remember," says Thomas a Kempis ('De Imitat.,' 1:1.5), "the proverb, that the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear with hearing. Eudeavour, therefore, to withdraw thy heart from the love of visible things, and to transfer thyself to the invisible. For they that follow their sensuality do stain their conscience and lose the grace of God." <a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/1-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>All כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every things הַדְּבָרִ֣ים (had·də·ḇā·rîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> A word, a matter, thing, a cause are wearisome, יְגֵעִ֔ים (yə·ḡê·‘îm) Adjective - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3023.htm">Strong's 3023: </a> Weary, wearisome more לֹא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no than one אִ֖ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> A man as an individual, a male person can describe; לְדַבֵּ֑ר (lə·ḏab·bêr) Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> To arrange, to speak, to subdue the eye עַ֙יִן֙ (‘a·yin) Noun - common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5869.htm">Strong's 5869: </a> An eye, a fountain is not לֹא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no satisfied תִשְׂבַּ֥ע (ṯiś·ba‘) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7646.htm">Strong's 7646: </a> To be sated, satisfied or surfeited with seeing, לִרְא֔וֹת (lir·’ō·wṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> To see nor וְלֹא־ (wə·lō-) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no the ear אֹ֖זֶן (’ō·zen) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_241.htm">Strong's 241: </a> Broadness, the ear content תִמָּלֵ֥א (ṯim·mā·lê) Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4390.htm">Strong's 4390: </a> To fill, be full of with hearing. מִשְּׁמֹֽעַ׃ (miš·šə·mō·a‘) Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> To hear intelligently <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/1-8.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:8 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/1-8.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:8 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/1-8.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:8 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/1-8.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:8 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/1-8.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:8 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/1-8.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:8 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/1-8.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:8 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/1-8.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:8 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/1-8.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:8 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/1-8.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:8 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-8.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 1:8 All things are full of weariness beyond (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/1-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 1:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 1:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/1-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 1:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 1:9" /></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>