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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 1:18 For with much wisdom comes much sorrow, and as knowledge grows, grief increases.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/1-18.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/21_Ecc_01_18.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ecclesiastes 1:18 - With Wisdom Comes Sorrow" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For with much wisdom comes much sorrow, and as knowledge grows, grief increases." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</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/1-18.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/1-18.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 18</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="/ad18.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/1-17.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 1:17">◄</a> Ecclesiastes 1:18 <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-1.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 2:1">►</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="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><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"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/1.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The greater my wisdom, the greater my grief. To increase knowledge only increases sorrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />For with much wisdom comes much sorrow, and as knowledge grows, grief increases.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For in much wisdom <i>is</i> much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For in much wisdom <i>is</i> much grief, And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Because in much wisdom there is much grief; and increasing knowledge <i>results in</i> increasing pain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Because in much wisdom there is much grief, and increasing knowledge results in increasing pain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Because in much wisdom there is much grief, and increasing knowledge <i>results in</i> increasing pain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Because in much wisdom there is much vexation, and <i>whoever</i> increases knowledge increases pain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For in much [human] wisdom there is much displeasure <i>and</i> exasperation; increasing knowledge increases sorrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For with much wisdom is much sorrow; as knowledge increases, grief increases.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For with much wisdom is much sorrow; as knowledge increases, grief increases. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For in much wisdom is much grief; and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The more you know, the more you hurt; the more you understand, the more you suffer. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />With a lot of wisdom [comes] a lot of heartache. The greater [your] knowledge, the greater [your] pain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The wiser you are, the more worries you have; the more you know, the more it hurts. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />For with much wisdom there is much sorrow; the more someone adds to knowledge, the more someone adds to grief.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />For with much wisdom comes much sorrow, and as knowledge grows, grief increases.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ecclesiastes/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />For with great wisdom comes great frustration; whoever increases his knowledge merely increases his heartache. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For in much wisdom is much grief; and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ecclesiastes/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For in much wisdom is much grief; and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />for in abundance of wisdom [is] abundance of sadness, and he who adds knowledge adds pain.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> for, in abundance of wisdom is abundance of sadness, and he who addeth knowledge addeth pain.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For in abundance of wisdom, abundance of trouble: and he adding knowledge will increase pain.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Because In much wisdom there is much indignation: and he that addeth knowledge, addeth also labour. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Because of this, with much wisdom there is also much anger. And whoever adds knowledge, also adds hardship.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />For in much wisdom there is much sorrow; whoever increases knowledge increases grief. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />For in much wisdom is much vexation, and those who increase knowledge increase sorrow.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Because in much wisdom there is much grief, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Because with abundance of wisdom is much grief, and he that increases knowing increases sorrow.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />For in much wisdom is much vexation; And he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For in the abundance of wisdom is abundance of knowledge; and he that increases knowledge will increase sorrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/1-18.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=156" 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/1.htm">With Wisdom Comes Sorrow</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">17</span>So I set my mind to know wisdom and madness and folly; I learned that this, too, is a pursuit of the wind. <span class="reftext">18</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">For</a> <a href="/hebrew/7230.htm" title="7230: bə·rōḇ (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Multitude, abundance, greatness. From rabab; abundance.">with much</a> <a href="/hebrew/2451.htm" title="2451: ḥāḵ·māh (N-fs) -- Wisdom. From chakam; wisdom.">wisdom</a> <a href="/hebrew/7227.htm" title="7227: rāḇ- (N-msc) -- Much, many, great. By contracted from rabab; abundant.">comes much</a> <a href="/hebrew/3708.htm" title="3708: kā·‘as (N-ms) -- Vexation, anger. Or kaoas; from ka'ac; vexation.">sorrow,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1847.htm" title="1847: da·‘aṯ (N-fs) -- Knowledge. From yada'; knowledge.">and as knowledge</a> <a href="/hebrew/3254.htm" title="3254: wə·yō·w·sîp̄ (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConjImperf-3ms) -- To add. A primitive root; to add or augment.">grows,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4341.htm" title="4341: maḵ·’ō·wḇ (N-ms) -- Pain. Sometimes makcowb; also makfobah; from ka'ab; anguish or affliction.">grief</a> <a href="/hebrew/3254.htm" title="3254: yō·w·sîp̄ (V-Hifil-Imperf-3ms) -- To add. A primitive root; to add or augment.">increases.</a> </span><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="/james/3-1.htm">James 3:1</a></span><br />Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/3-13.htm">Proverbs 3:13-18</a></span><br />Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding, / for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold. / She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/8-1.htm">1 Corinthians 8:1</a></span><br />Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.<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="/1_corinthians/1-18.htm">1 Corinthians 1:18-25</a></span><br />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? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/14-12.htm">Proverbs 14:12</a></span><br />There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-21.htm">Romans 1:21-22</a></span><br />For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/17-24.htm">Proverbs 17:24</a></span><br />Wisdom is the focus of the discerning, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.<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/24-5.htm">Proverbs 24:5</a></span><br />A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge enhances his strength.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/3-7.htm">2 Timothy 3:7</a></span><br />who are always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/28-28.htm">Job 28:28</a></span><br />And He said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/2-8.htm">Colossians 2:8</a></span><br />See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/47-10.htm">Isaiah 47:10</a></span><br />You were secure in your wickedness; you said, ‘No one sees me.’ Your wisdom and knowledge led you astray; you told yourself, ‘I am, and there is none besides me.’</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increases knowledge increases sorrow.</p><p class="hdg">for in</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-15.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:15</a></b></br> Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also <i>is</i> vanity.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-16.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:16</a></b></br> Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/12-12.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:12,13</a></b></br> And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books <i>there is</i> no end; and much study <i>is</i> a weariness of the flesh… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/28-19.htm">Abundance</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-4.htm">Addeth</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-21.htm">Grief</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-16.htm">Increase</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-16.htm">Increases</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-16.htm">Increaseth</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-16.htm">Increasing</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-35.htm">Pain</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-24.htm">Results</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-13.htm">Sadness</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-21.htm">Sorrow</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-17.htm">Vexation</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-17.htm">Wisdom</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/5-3.htm">Abundance</a> <a href="/isaiah/7-10.htm">Addeth</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-20.htm">Grief</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-7.htm">Increase</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-29.htm">Increases</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-29.htm">Increaseth</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-9.htm">Increasing</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-23.htm">Pain</a> <a href="/jeremiah/17-10.htm">Results</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-23.htm">Sadness</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-23.htm">Sorrow</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-11.htm">Vexation</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-3.htm">Wisdom</a><div class="vheading2">Ecclesiastes 1</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/1-1.htm">the preacher shows that all human courses are vain</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/1-4.htm">because the creatures are restless in their courses</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/1-9.htm">they bring forth nothing new, and all old things are forgotten</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/1-12.htm">and because he has found it so in the studies of wisdom</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/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><b>For with much wisdom comes much sorrow</b><br>This phrase reflects the theme of Ecclesiastes, where the pursuit of wisdom and understanding often leads to a deeper awareness of life's complexities and injustices. In the biblical context, Solomon, traditionally considered the author, was renowned for his wisdom (<a href="/1_kings/4-29.htm">1 Kings 4:29-34</a>). However, his extensive knowledge also exposed him to the burdens and sorrows of human existence. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative that wisdom, while valuable, can reveal the fallen nature of the world (Genesis 3). The sorrow mentioned here is not just personal but reflects a universal human condition, as wisdom uncovers the vanity and fleeting nature of earthly pursuits (<a href="/ecclesiastes/1-2.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:2</a>).<p><b>and as knowledge grows, grief increases</b><br>This part of the verse suggests that increased understanding can lead to greater grief, as one becomes more aware of the world's brokenness and the limitations of human efforts. Historically, this reflects the ancient Near Eastern context, where wisdom literature often grappled with the enigmas of life and the limits of human comprehension. The increase in grief parallels the biblical theme of the futility of life without God (<a href="/ecclesiastes/12-13.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:13-14</a>). In the New Testament, this idea is echoed in <a href="/romans/8-22.htm">Romans 8:22</a>, where creation groans under the weight of sin, awaiting redemption. The phrase also points to the ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who embodies wisdom (<a href="/1_corinthians/1-24.htm">1 Corinthians 1:24</a>) and offers hope beyond the grief of this world through His redemptive work.<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.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>- The central place of worship and governance during Solomon's reign, often associated with his rule and the setting for his reflections.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_preacher.htm">The Preacher (Qoheleth)</a></b><br>- The voice in Ecclesiastes, often identified with Solomon, who reflects on the meaning of life and the pursuit of wisdom.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_paradox_of_wisdom_and_sorrow.htm">The Paradox of Wisdom and Sorrow</a></b><br>While wisdom is valuable, it can also bring awareness of life's complexities and injustices, leading to sorrow.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_limits_of_human_understanding.htm">The Limits of Human Understanding</a></b><br>Human wisdom is limited and can lead to frustration when it fails to provide ultimate answers or solutions to life's problems.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_pursuit_of_godly_wisdom.htm">The Pursuit of Godly Wisdom</a></b><br>True wisdom begins with a relationship with God. Seeking wisdom through prayer and scripture can lead to peace rather than grief.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_suffering_in_growth.htm">The Role of Suffering in Growth</a></b><br>Sorrow and grief can be tools for spiritual growth, drawing us closer to God and deepening our reliance on Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/b/balancing_knowledge_with_humility.htm">Balancing Knowledge with Humility</a></b><br>As we grow in knowledge, we must remain humble, recognizing our limitations and the need for God's guidance.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ecclesiastes_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 1</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_about_tomorrow.htm">What does fearing God mean about avoiding extremes?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_ecclesiastes'_main_theme.htm">What is the main theme of Ecclesiastes?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_paul_avoid_a_painful_visit.htm">In 2 Corinthians 2:1, how can Paul justify avoiding another painful visit if decisive church discipline was necessary?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_wisdom_literature_in_the_bible.htm">What is Wisdom Literature in 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>(18) <span class= "bld">Grief.--</span>Irritation.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 18.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">For in much wisdom is much grief.</span> The more one knows of men's lives, the deeper insight one obtains of their actions and circumstances, the greater is the cause of grief at the incomplete and unsatisfactory nature of all human affairs. <span class="cmt_word">He that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow;</span> not in others, but in himself. With added experience and more minute examination, the wise man becomes more conscious of his own ignorance and impotence, of the un-sympathizing and uncontrollable course of nature, of the gigantic evils which he is powerless to remedy; this causes his sorrowful confession (ver. 17b). St. Gregory, taking the religious view of the passage, comments, "The more a man begins to know what he has lost the more he begins to bewail the sentence of his corruption, which he has met with" ('Moral.,' 18:65); and, "He that already knows the high state which he does not as yet enjoy is the more grieved for the low condition in which he is yet held" (ibid., 1:34). The statement in our text is paralleled in Ecclus. 21:12, "There is a wisdom which multiplieth bitterness," and contrasted in Wisd. 8:16 with the comfort and pleasure which true wisdom brings. <p> <p> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/1-18.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">For</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֛י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with much</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּרֹ֥ב</span> <span class="translit">(bə·rōḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7230.htm">Strong's 7230: </a> </span><span class="str2">Multitude, abundance, greatness</span><br /><br /><span class="word">wisdom</span><br /><span class="heb">חָכְמָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(ḥāḵ·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">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">comes much</span><br /><span class="heb">רָב־</span> <span class="translit">(rāḇ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7227.htm">Strong's 7227: </a> </span><span class="str2">Much, many, great</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sorrow,</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּ֑עַס</span> <span class="translit">(kā·‘as)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3708.htm">Strong's 3708: </a> </span><span class="str2">Vexation, anger</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and as knowledge</span><br /><span class="heb">דַּ֖עַת</span> <span class="translit">(da·‘aṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1847.htm">Strong's 1847: </a> </span><span class="str2">Knowledge</span><br /><br /><span class="word">grows,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְיוֹסִ֥יף</span> <span class="translit">(wə·yō·w·sîp̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3254.htm">Strong's 3254: </a> </span><span class="str2">To add, augment</span><br /><br /><span class="word">grief</span><br /><span class="heb">מַכְאֽוֹב׃</span> <span class="translit">(maḵ·’ō·wḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4341.htm">Strong's 4341: </a> </span><span class="str2">Anguish, affliction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">increases.</span><br /><span class="heb">יוֹסִ֥יף</span> <span class="translit">(yō·w·sîp̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3254.htm">Strong's 3254: </a> </span><span class="str2">To add, augment</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/1-18.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:18 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/1-18.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:18 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/1-18.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:18 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/1-18.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:18 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/1-18.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:18 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/1-18.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:18 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/1-18.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:18 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/1-18.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:18 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/1-18.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:18 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/1-18.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:18 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ecclesiastes/1-18.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 1:18 For in much wisdom is much grief (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/1-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 1:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 1:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-1.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 2:1"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 2:1" /></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>