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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 1:13 And I set my mind to seek and explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. What a heavy burden God has laid upon the sons of men to occupy them!</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/1-13.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/21_Ecc_01_13.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ecclesiastes 1:13 - With Wisdom Comes Sorrow" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And I set my mind to seek and explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. 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What a heavy burden God has laid on mankind! <a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/1.htm">New Living Translation</a> I devoted myself to search for understanding and to explore by wisdom everything being done under heaven. I soon discovered that God has dealt a tragic existence to the human race. <a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">English Standard Version</a> And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. It is an unhappy business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. <a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> And I set my mind to seek and explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. What a miserable task God has laid upon the sons of men to occupy them! <a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">King James Bible</a> And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith. <a href="/nkjv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">New King James Version</a> And I set my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven; this burdensome task God has given to the sons of man, by which they may be exercised. <a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And I set my mind to seek and explore by wisdom about everything that has been done under heaven. It is a sorry task with which God has given the sons of mankind to be troubled. <a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">NASB 1995</a> And I set my mind to seek and explore by wisdom concerning all that has been done under heaven. It is a grievous task which God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with. <a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And I set my mind to seek and explore by wisdom concerning all that has been done under heaven. It is a grievous task which God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with. <a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And I gave my heart to seek and explore by wisdom concerning all that has been done under heaven. It is a grievous endeavor which God has given to the sons of men with which to occupy themselves. <a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a> And I set my mind to seek and explore by [man’s] wisdom all [human activity] that has been done under heaven. It is a miserable business and a burdensome task which God has given the sons of men with which to be busy and distressed. <a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> I applied my mind to examine and explore through wisdom all that is done under heaven. God has given people this miserable task to keep them occupied. <a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> I applied my mind to seek and explore through wisdom all that is done under heaven. God has given people this miserable task to keep them occupied. <a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">American Standard Version</a> And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven: it is a sore travail that God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised therewith. <a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> With all my wisdom I tried to understand everything that happens here on earth. And God has made this so hard for us humans to do. <a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">English Revised Version</a> And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven: it is a sore travail that God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised therewith. <a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> With all my heart I used wisdom to study and explore everything done under heaven. Mortals are weighed down with a terrible burden that God has placed on them. <a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Good News Translation</a> I determined that I would examine and study all the things that are done in this world. God has laid a miserable fate upon us. <a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">International Standard Version</a> I dedicated myself to using wisdom for study and discovery of everything that is done under heaven. God uses terrible things so human beings will struggle with life. <a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> And I set my mind to seek and explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. What a miserable task God has laid upon the sons of men to occupy them! <a href="/net/ecclesiastes/1.htm">NET Bible</a> I decided to carefully and thoroughly examine all that has been accomplished on earth. I concluded: God has given people a burdensome task that keeps them occupied. <a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under the sky. It is a heavy burden that God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with. <a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this grievous labor hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised with it. <a href="/web/ecclesiastes/1.htm">World English Bible</a> I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under the sky. It is a heavy burden that God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And I have given my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that has been done under the heavens. It [is] a sad travail God has given to the sons of man to be humbled by it. <a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And I have given my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that hath been done under the heavens. It is a sad travail God hath given to the sons of man to be humbled by it. <a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And I gave my heart to seek and to search out in wisdom concerning all which was done under the heavens: this evil business God gave to the sons of man to be occupied in it.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And I proposed in my mind to seek and search out wisely concerning all things that are done under the sun. This painful occupation hath God given to the children of men, to be exercised therein. <a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And I was determined in my mind to seek and to investigate wisely, concerning all that is done under the sun. God has given this very difficult task to the sons of men, so that they may be occupied by it. <a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/1.htm">New American Bible</a> and I applied my mind to search and investigate in wisdom all things that are done under the sun. A bad business God has given to human beings to be busied with. <a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> applied my mind to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven; it is an unhappy business that God has given to human beings to be busy with.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And I gave my heart to seek to search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven; to be engaged in it is a difficult task that God has given to the sons of men. <a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> I have given my heart to seek and to understand by wisdom all that is done under the sun; an evil task LORD JEHOVAH gives the children of men to practice in it<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven; it is a sore task that God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised therewith. <a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And I applied my heart to seek out and examine by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven, for God has given to the sons of men an evil trouble to be troubled therewith. <a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/1-13.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8-2fxj-VcEg?start=101" 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">With Wisdom Comes Sorrow</a> 12I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13<a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: wə·nā·ṯat·tî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-1cs) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">And I set</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3820.htm" title="3820: lib·bî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- A form of lebab; the heart; also used very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything.">my mind</a> <a href="/hebrew/1875.htm" title="1875: liḏ·rō·wōš (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- A primitive root; properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow; by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship.">to seek</a> <a href="/hebrew/8446.htm" title="8446: wə·lā·ṯūr (Conj-w, Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To seek out, spy out, explore. A primitive root; to meander about, especially for trade or reconnoitring.">and explore</a> <a href="/hebrew/2451.htm" title="2451: ba·ḥā·ḵə·māh (Prep-b, Art:: N-fs) -- Wisdom. From chakam; wisdom.">by wisdom</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications."></a> <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/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: na·‘ă·śāh (V-Nifal-Perf-3ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">is done</a> <a href="/hebrew/8478.htm" title="8478: ta·ḥaṯ (Prep) -- Underneath, below, instead of. From the same as Towach; the bottom; only adverbially, below, in lieu of, etc.">under</a> <a href="/hebrew/8064.htm" title="8064: haš·šā·mā·yim (Art:: N-mp) -- Heaven, sky. Dual of an unused singular shameh; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky.">heaven.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">What</a> <a href="/hebrew/7451.htm" title="7451: rā‘ (Adj-ms) -- Bad, evil. From ra'a'; bad or evil.">a heavy</a> <a href="/hebrew/6045.htm" title="6045: ‘in·yan (N-msc) -- Occupation, task. From anah; ado, i.e. employment or an affair.">burden</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">God</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: nā·ṯan (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">has laid</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: liḇ·nê (Prep-l:: N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">upon the sons</a> <a href="/hebrew/120.htm" title="120: hā·’ā·ḏām (Art:: N-ms) -- Man, mankind. From 'adam; ruddy i.e. A human being.">of men</a> <a href="/hebrew/6031.htm" title="6031: la·‘ă·nō·wṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To be bowed down or afflicted. A primitive root; to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive.">to occupy them!</a> <a href="/hebrew/bōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- "></a> 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.…<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="/proverbs/25-2.htm">Proverbs 25:2</a> It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out. <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="/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/28-12.htm">Job 28:12-28</a> 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.’ ... <a href="/1_corinthians/3-19.htm">1 Corinthians 3:19-20</a> For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.” / And again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-10.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:10-11</a> I have seen the burden that God has laid upon the sons of men to occupy them. / He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men, yet they cannot fathom the work that God has done from beginning to end. <a href="/2_timothy/3-7.htm">2 Timothy 3:7</a> who are always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. <a href="/job/5-7.htm">Job 5:7</a> Yet man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward. <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-25.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:25</a> 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. <a href="/1_kings/4-29.htm">1 Kings 4:29-34</a> And God gave Solomon wisdom, exceedingly deep insight, and understanding beyond measure, like the sand on the seashore. / Solomon’s wisdom was greater than that of all the men of the East, greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. / He was wiser than all men—wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, and wiser than Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame spread throughout the surrounding nations. ... <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-16.htm">Ecclesiastes 8:16-17</a> When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to observe the task that one performs on the earth—though his eyes do not see sleep in the day or even in the night— / I saw every work of God, and that a man is unable to comprehend the work that is done under the sun. Despite his efforts to search it out, he cannot find its meaning; even if the wise man claims to know, he is unable to comprehend. <a href="/1_corinthians/1-18.htm">1 Corinthians 1:18-25</a> For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. / For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” / Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ... <a href="/job/28-3.htm">Job 28:3</a> Man puts an end to the darkness; he probes the farthest recesses for ore in deepest darkness. <a href="/daniel/12-4.htm">Daniel 12:4</a> But you, Daniel, shut up these words and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will roam to and fro, and knowledge will increase.” <a href="/james/1-5.htm">James 1:5</a> Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail has God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.i gave<a href="/ecclesiastes/1-17.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:17</a> And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.<a href="/ecclesiastes/7-25.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:25</a> I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness:<a href="/ecclesiastes/8-9.htm">Ecclesiastes 8:9,16,17</a> All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man ruleth over another to his own hurt… this sore<a href="/ecclesiastes/3-10.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:10</a> I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.<a href="/ecclesiastes/4-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:4</a> Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.<a href="/ecclesiastes/12-12.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:12</a> And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.to be exercised or to afflict them <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/31-20.htm">Afflicted</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-32.htm">Applied</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-1.htm">Burden</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-13.htm">Business</a> <a href="/psalms/141-4.htm">Busy</a> <a href="/psalms/119-38.htm">Devoted</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/8-10.htm">Exercised</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-11.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-4.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-6.htm">Heavy</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-7.htm">Mind</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-27.htm">Search</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-26.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-19.htm">Sky</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-35.htm">Sore</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-15.htm">Task</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-16.htm">Therewith</a> <a href="/psalms/107-12.htm">Travail</a> <a href="/psalms/73-5.htm">Unhappy</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-26.htm">Wisdom</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-10.htm">Afflicted</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-17.htm">Applied</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-10.htm">Burden</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-1.htm">Business</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-10.htm">Busy</a> <a href="/isaiah/34-2.htm">Devoted</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-10.htm">Exercised</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-16.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-3.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-1.htm">Heavy</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-16.htm">Mind</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-12.htm">Search</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-6.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-20.htm">Sky</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-8.htm">Sore</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-23.htm">Task</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-6.htm">Therewith</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-23.htm">Travail</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-10.htm">Unhappy</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-16.htm">Wisdom</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> <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> </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/1.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/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>And I set my mind to seek and explore by wisdom The 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 (<a href="/1_kings/3-12.htm">1 Kings 3:12</a>), 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 (<a href="/proverbs/4-7.htm">Proverbs 4:7</a>). 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 (<a href="/psalms/103-19.htm">Psalm 103:19</a>) and the futility of human endeavors apart from divine purpose (<a href="/psalms/127.htm">Psalm 127:1</a>).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 (<a href="/ecclesiastes/1-2.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:2</a>). 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 (<a href="/job/28-12.htm">Job 28:12-28</a>).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 (<a href="/ecclesiastes/3-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:11</a>), prompting a search for purpose and understanding. The task, while burdensome, is also an invitation to seek God and His wisdom (<a href="/james/1-5.htm">James 1:5</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a> - 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. <a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a> - The nation over which Solomon reigned. It serves as the backdrop for his reflections on life, wisdom, and the human condition. 3. <a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a> - The divine being who, according to Solomon, has given humans the task of seeking wisdom and understanding the world. 4. <a href="/topical/s/sons_of_men.htm">Sons of Men</a> - A term used to describe humanity in general, emphasizing the universal nature of the quest for knowledge and the burdens it entails. 5. <a href="/topical/u/under_heaven.htm">Under Heaven</a> - A phrase indicating the earthly realm, where human activities and pursuits take place, distinct from the divine or heavenly realm.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_pursuit_of_wisdom.htm">The Pursuit of Wisdom</a> Solomon'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. <a href="/topical/t/the_burden_of_knowledge.htm">The Burden of Knowledge</a> The 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. <a href="/topical/h/human_limitations.htm">Human Limitations</a> Acknowledge the limitations of human understanding. Despite our efforts, some aspects of life remain a mystery, reminding us of our dependence on God. <a href="/topical/p/purpose_in_toil.htm">Purpose in Toil</a> The 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. <a href="/topical/e/eternal_perspective.htm">Eternal Perspective</a> While earthly pursuits can be burdensome, maintaining an eternal perspective helps us prioritize our efforts and focus on what truly matters.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ecclesiastes_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 1</a> <a href="/q/bible_books'_order.htm">What is the order of the Bible's books?</a> <a href="/q/does_proverbs_8's_wisdom_align_with_john_1.htm">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)?</a> <a href="/q/does_ecclesiastes_4_contradict_itself.htm">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?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'called_by_his_purpose'_mean.htm">How is Jesus represented in each book of the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(13) Gave my heart.--The phrase occurs again in this book (<a href="/ecclesiastes/1-17.htm" title="And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.">Ecclesiastes 1:17</a>; <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-25.htm" title="I applied my heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness:">Ecclesiastes 7:25</a>; <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-9.htm" title="All this have I seen, and applied my heart to every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man rules over another to his own hurt.">Ecclesiastes 8:9</a>; <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-16.htm" title="When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done on the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night sees sleep with his eyes:)">Ecclesiastes 8:16</a>) and often elsewhere. (See <a href="/daniel/10-12.htm" title="Then said he to me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that you did set your heart to understand, and to chasten yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I am come for your words.">Daniel 10:12</a>; <a href="/2_chronicles/11-16.htm" title="And after them out of all the tribes of Israel such as set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice to the LORD God of their fathers.">2Chronicles 11:16</a>, &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." . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 13. - I gave my heart (ver. 17; <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-25.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:25</a>; <a href="/daniel/10-12.htm">Daniel 10:12</a>). 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., <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-23.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:23, 26</a>, 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. <a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/1-13.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>And I set וְנָתַ֣תִּי (wə·nā·ṯat·tî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> To give, put, set my mind לִבִּ֗י (lib·bî) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3820.htm">Strong's 3820: </a> The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre to seek לִדְר֤וֹשׁ (liḏ·rō·wōš) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1875.htm">Strong's 1875: </a> To tread, frequent, to follow, to seek, ask, to worship and explore וְלָתוּר֙ (wə·lā·ṯūr) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8446.htm">Strong's 8446: </a> To meander, about, for, trade, reconnoitring by wisdom בַּֽחָכְמָ֔ה (ba·ḥā·ḵə·māh) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2451.htm">Strong's 2451: </a> Wisdom all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every that אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that is done נַעֲשָׂ֖ה (na·‘ă·śāh) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> To do, make under תַּ֣חַת (ta·ḥaṯ) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8478.htm">Strong's 8478: </a> The bottom, below, in lieu of heaven. הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם (haš·šā·mā·yim) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8064.htm">Strong's 8064: </a> Heaven, sky What ה֣וּא ׀ (hū) Pronoun - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> He, self, the same, this, that, as, are a heavy רָ֗ע (rā‘) Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7451.htm">Strong's 7451: </a> Bad, evil burden עִנְיַ֣ן (‘in·yan) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6045.htm">Strong's 6045: </a> Ado, employment, an affair God אֱלֹהִ֛ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative has laid on נָתַ֧ן (nā·ṯan) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> To give, put, set the sons לִבְנֵ֥י (liḇ·nê) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son of men, הָאָדָ֖ם (hā·’ā·ḏām) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_120.htm">Strong's 120: </a> Ruddy, a human being to keep them occupied! לַעֲנ֥וֹת (la·‘ă·nō·wṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6031.htm">Strong's 6031: </a> To be bowed down or afflicted <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/1-13.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:13 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/1-13.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:13 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/1-13.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:13 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/1-13.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:13 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/1-13.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:13 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/1-13.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:13 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/1-13.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:13 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/1-13.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:13 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/1-13.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:13 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/1-13.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:13 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-13.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 1:13 I applied my heart to seek (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/1-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 1:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 1:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/1-14.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 1:14"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 1:14" /></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>