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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 7:23 All this I tested by wisdom, saying, "I resolve to be wise." But it was beyond me.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/7-23.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/21_Ecc_07_23.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ecclesiastes 7:23 - The Limits of Human Wisdom" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="All this I tested by wisdom, saying, I resolve to be wise. 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I said to myself, “I am determined to be wise.” But it didn’t work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />All this I have tested by wisdom. I said, “I will be wise,” but it was far from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />All this I tested by wisdom, saying, “I resolve to be wise.” But it was beyond me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it <i>was</i> far from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />All this I have proved by wisdom. I said, “I will be wise”; But it <i>was</i> far from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />I tested all this with wisdom, <i>and</i> I said, “I will be wise,” but <i>wisdom</i> was far from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />I tested all this with wisdom, and I said, &#8220I will be wise,&#8221 but it was far from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />I tested all this with wisdom, <i>and</i> I said, “I will be wise,” but it was far from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />I tested all this with wisdom, <i>and</i> I said, “I will be wise,” but it was far from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />I have tested all this with wisdom. I said, “I will be wise [independently of God],” but true wisdom was far from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I have tested all this by wisdom. I resolved, “I will be wise,” but it was beyond me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I have tested all this by wisdom. I resolved, &#8220I will be wise,&#8221 but it was beyond me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />All this have I proved in wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />I told myself that I would be smart and try to understand all this, but it was too much for me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />All this have I proved in wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />I used wisdom to test all of this. I said, "I want to be wise, but it is out of my reach."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />I used my wisdom to test all of this. I was determined to be wise, but it was beyond me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />I used my wisdom to test all of this. I said, "I want to be wise," but it was beyond me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />All this I tested by wisdom, saying, ?I resolve to be wise.? But it was beyond me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ecclesiastes/7.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />I have examined all this by wisdom; I said, "I am determined to comprehend this"--but it was beyond my grasp. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />All this have I proved in wisdom. I said, "I will be wise;" but it was far from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ecclesiastes/7.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />All this I have proved in wisdom. I said, “I will be wise;” but it was far from me. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />All this I have tried by wisdom; I have said, “I am wise,” and it [is] far from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> All this I have tried by wisdom; I have said, 'I am wise,' and it is far from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />All this I proved by wisdom: I said I will be wise, and it was removed far off from me.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />I have tried all things in wisdom. I have said: I will be wise: and it departed farther from me, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 7:24>I have tested everything in wisdom. I have said: “I will be wise.” And wisdom withdrew farther from me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />All these things I probed in wisdom. I said, “I will acquire wisdom”; but it was far beyond me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />All this I have tested by wisdom; I said, “I will be wise,” but it was far from me.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />I have tried all these things by wisdom; I said, I will be wise; but wisdom was far from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />All these things I tested by wisdom; I said: "I shall be wise," and this was far removed from me<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/7.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />All this have I tried by wisdom; I said: 'I will get wisdom'; but it was far from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />All these things have I proved in wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/7-23.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=1344" 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">22</span>For you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others. <span class="reftext">23</span><span class="highl"><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/2090.htm" title="2090: zōh (Pro-fs) -- This. For zeh; this or that.">this</a> <a href="/hebrew/5254.htm" title="5254: nis·sî·ṯî (V-Piel-Perf-1cs) -- To test, try. A primitive root; to test; by implication, to attempt.">I tested</a> <a href="/hebrew/2451.htm" title="2451: ḇa·ḥā·ḵə·māh (Prep-b, Art:: N-fs) -- Wisdom. From chakam; wisdom.">by wisdom, saying,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mar·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">“I resolve</a> <a href="/hebrew/2449.htm" title="2449: ’eḥ·kā·māh (V-Qal-Imperf.Cohort-1cs) -- To be wise. A primitive root, to be wise.">to be wise.”</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: wə·hî (Conj-w:: Pro-3fs) -- He, she, it. ">But it</a> <a href="/hebrew/7350.htm" title="7350: rə·ḥō·w·qāh (Adj-fs) -- Or rachoq; from rachaq; remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially.">was beyond</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: mim·men·nî (Prep:: 1cs) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses.">me.</a> </span><span class="reftext">24</span>What exists is out of reach and very deep. Who can fathom it?…<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="/proverbs/1-7.htm">Proverbs 1:7</a></span><br />The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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="/james/1-5.htm">James 1:5</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/3-5.htm">Proverbs 3:5-6</a></span><br />Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; / in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-18.htm">1 Corinthians 3:18-20</a></span><br />Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise. / 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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/2-6.htm">Proverbs 2:6</a></span><br />For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.<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="/proverbs/4-7.htm">Proverbs 4:7</a></span><br />Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/3-9.htm">1 Kings 3:9-12</a></span><br />Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?” / Now it pleased the Lord that Solomon had made this request. / So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this instead of requesting long life or wealth for yourself or death for your enemies—but you have asked for discernment to administer justice— ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/2-2.htm">Colossians 2:2-3</a></span><br />that they may be encouraged in heart, knit together in love, and filled with the full riches of complete understanding, so that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, / in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/8-11.htm">Proverbs 8:11</a></span><br />For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire compares with her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-25.htm">1 Corinthians 1:25</a></span><br />For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/9-10.htm">Proverbs 9:10</a></span><br />The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/11-25.htm">Matthew 11:25</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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/14-6.htm">Proverbs 14:6</a></span><br />A mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.</p><p class="hdg">I said</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/3-5.htm">Genesis 3:5</a></b></br> For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/3-11.htm">1 Kings 3:11,12</a></b></br> And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/11-1.htm">1 Kings 11:1-8</a></b></br> But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, <i>and</i> Hittites; … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/140-4.htm">Determined</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-5.htm">Far</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-1.htm">Proved</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-18.htm">Test</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-18.htm">Tested</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-5.htm">Tried</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-19.htm">Wisdom</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-19.htm">Wise</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/10-22.htm">Determined</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-24.htm">Far</a> <a href="/isaiah/43-26.htm">Proved</a> <a href="/isaiah/7-12.htm">Test</a> <a href="/isaiah/28-16.htm">Tested</a> <a href="/isaiah/28-16.htm">Tried</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-24.htm">Wisdom</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-1.htm">Wise</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'; 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In the context of Ecclesiastes, "all this" refers to the observations and experiences of life’s vanities and the pursuit of meaning. The author, traditionally understood to be Solomon, is renowned for his wisdom (<a href="/1_kings/4-29.htm">1 Kings 4:29-34</a>). This testing by wisdom suggests a methodical and thoughtful approach, aligning with the biblical tradition of seeking understanding through divine insight (<a href="/proverbs/2-6.htm">Proverbs 2:6</a>). The use of wisdom here is not merely intellectual but deeply spiritual, reflecting a desire to discern God’s purpose in the midst of life's enigmas.<p><b>saying, “I resolve to be wise.”</b><br>This resolution reflects a deliberate commitment to pursue wisdom, echoing Solomon’s own request for wisdom from God (<a href="/1_kings/3-9.htm">1 Kings 3:9</a>). The resolve to be wise is a noble pursuit, often encouraged in Scripture (<a href="/proverbs/4-7.htm">Proverbs 4:7</a>). However, the context of Ecclesiastes suggests a tension between human aspiration and divine reality. The cultural backdrop of ancient Israel placed high value on wisdom, often seen as a means to live righteously and in harmony with God’s will. Yet, the author acknowledges the limitations of human wisdom in fully comprehending God’s ways (<a href="/isaiah/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8-9</a>).<p><b>But it was beyond me.</b><br>This admission of limitation underscores a central theme of Ecclesiastes: the futility of human efforts to grasp the full scope of divine wisdom. Despite Solomon’s unparalleled wisdom, he recognizes that true understanding is ultimately beyond human reach. This echoes Job’s realization of the limits of human knowledge in the face of God’s infinite wisdom (<a href="/job/42.htm">Job 42:1-6</a>). The phrase points to the humility required in acknowledging that some aspects of life and God’s plan remain mysterious. It also foreshadows the New Testament revelation of Christ as the embodiment of divine wisdom (<a href="/1_corinthians/1-24.htm">1 Corinthians 1:24</a>), suggesting that ultimate wisdom is found not in human striving but in relationship with God through Christ.<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, wealth, and writings. Ecclesiastes is part of the wisdom literature attributed to him.<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, including Ecclesiastes.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/w/wisdom.htm">Wisdom</a></b><br>A central theme in Ecclesiastes, wisdom is portrayed as a valuable but ultimately limited pursuit in understanding the mysteries of life and God's purposes.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_limitations_of_human_wisdom.htm">The Limitations of Human Wisdom</a></b><br>Solomon, despite his great wisdom, acknowledges that he cannot fully comprehend the mysteries of life. This teaches us humility and the need to rely on God for understanding.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_pursuit_of_wisdom.htm">The Pursuit of Wisdom</a></b><br>While wisdom is valuable, it should not be pursued as an end in itself. Our ultimate pursuit should be a relationship with God, who grants wisdom generously to those who ask.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_sovereignty.htm">Trust in God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Recognizing our limitations should lead us to trust in God's sovereign plan. We may not understand everything, but we can trust that God is in control and His ways are higher than ours.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_faith.htm">The Role of Faith</a></b><br>Faith is essential when our understanding falls short. We are called to walk by faith, trusting in God's character and promises even when we cannot see the full picture.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_humility.htm">The Importance of Humility</a></b><br>Solomon's admission of his limitations is a call to humility. We should approach life with a humble heart, acknowledging that we do not have all the answers and need God's guidance.<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/what_does_'overrighteous_overwise'_mean.htm">What does 'not be overrighteous or overwise' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_psalm_1's_justice_align_with_job.htm">How can Psalm 1's vision of immediate justice be reconciled with biblical accounts like Job, where the righteous suffer while the wicked seem to prosper?</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/who_was_nahash_in_the_bible.htm">How can one persistently strive to achieve their goals?</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>(23) The confession of failure to attain speculative knowledge gives energy to the preacher's next following enunciation of the practical lesson which he <span class= "ital">has </span>learned from his experience.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 23-29.</span> - Section 4. Further in sight into essential wisdom was not obtain able; but Koheleth learned some other practical lessons, viz. <span class="accented">that wickedness was folly and madness</span>; <span class="accented">that woman was the most evil thing in the world</span>; <span class="accented">that man had perverted his nature</span>, <span class="accented">which was made originally good</span>. <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 23.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">All this have I proved by wisdom</span>; i.e. wisdom was the means by which he arrived at the practical conclusions given above (vers. 1-22). Would wisdom solve deeper questions? And if so, could he ever hope to attain it? <span class="cmt_word">I said, I will be wise</span>. This was his strong resolve. He desired to grow in wisdom, to use it in order to unfold mysteries and explain anomalies. Hitherto he had been content to watch the course of men's lives, and find by experience what was good and what was evil for them; now he craves for an insight into the secret laws that regulate those external circumstances: he wants a philosophy or theosophy. His desire is expressed by his imitator in the Book of Wisdom (9.), "O God of my fathers,... give me Wisdom, that sitteth by thy throne.... O send her out of thy holy heavens, and from the throne of thy glory, that being present she may labor with me." <span class="cmt_word">But it was far from me.</span> It remained in the far distance, out of reach. Job's experience (28.) was his. Practical rules of life he might gain, and had mastered, but essential, absolute wisdom was beyond mortal grasp. Man's knowledge and capacity are limited. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/7-23.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">All</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">this</span><br /><span class="heb">זֹ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(zōh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2090.htm">Strong's 2090: </a> </span><span class="str2">This, that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I tested</span><br /><span class="heb">נִסִּ֣יתִי</span> <span class="translit">(nis·sî·ṯî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5254.htm">Strong's 5254: </a> </span><span class="str2">To test, to attempt</span><br /><br /><span class="word">by wisdom, [saying],</span><br /><span class="heb">בַֽחָכְמָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(ḇa·ḥā·ḵə·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2451.htm">Strong's 2451: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wisdom</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“I resolve</span><br /><span class="heb">אָמַ֣רְתִּי</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·mar·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to be wise.”</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶחְכָּ֔מָה</span> <span class="translit">(’eḥ·kā·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2449.htm">Strong's 2449: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be wise</span><br /><br /><span class="word">But it</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהִ֖יא</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was beyond</span><br /><span class="heb">רְחוֹקָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(rə·ḥō·w·qāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - feminine 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">me.</span><br /><span class="heb">מִמֶּֽנִּי׃</span> <span class="translit">(mim·men·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> </span><span class="str2">A part of, from, out of</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/7-23.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:23 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/7-23.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:23 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/7-23.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:23 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/7-23.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:23 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/7-23.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:23 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/7-23.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:23 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/7-23.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:23 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/7-23.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:23 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/7-23.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:23 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/7-23.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:23 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-23.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 7:23 All this have I proved in wisdom (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 7:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 7:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 7:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 7:24" /></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>