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Ecclesiastes 7:29 Only this have I found: I have discovered that God made men upright, but they have sought out many schemes."

<!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 7:29 Only this have I found: I have discovered that God made men upright, but they have sought out many schemes."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/7-29.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/21_Ecc_07_29.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ecclesiastes 7:29 - The Limits of Human Wisdom" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Only this have I found: I have discovered that God made men upright, but they have sought out many schemes." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/ecclesiastes/7-29.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/7-29.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/7.htm">Chapter 7</a> > Verse 29</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-28.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 7:28">&#9668;</a> Ecclesiastes 7:29 <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-1.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 8:1">&#9658;</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible">&nbsp;Audio&nbsp;</a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References">&nbsp;Crossref&nbsp;</a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary">&nbsp;Comm&nbsp;</a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon">&nbsp;Hebrew&nbsp;</a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/7.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">&nbsp; (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />This only have I found: God created mankind upright, but they have gone in search of many schemes.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But I did find this: God created people to be virtuous, but they have each turned to follow their own downward path.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />See, this alone I found, that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Only this have I found: I have discovered that God made men upright, but they have sought out many schemes.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Truly, this only I have found: That God made man upright, But they have sought out many schemes.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Behold, I have found only this, that God made people upright, but they have sought out many schemes.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Behold, I have found only this, that God made men upright, but they have sought out many devices.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />&#8220;Behold, I have found only this, that God made men upright, but they have sought out many devices.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />See, I have found only this, that God made men upright, but they have sought out many devices.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Behold, I have found only this [as a reason]: God made man upright <i>and</i> uncorrupted, but they [both men and women] have sought out many devices [for evil].&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Only see this: I have discovered that God made people upright, but they pursued many schemes.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Only see this: I have discovered that God made people upright, but they pursued many schemes.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Behold, this only have I found: that God made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />I did learn one thing: We were completely honest when God created us, but now we have twisted minds. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Behold, this only have I found, that God made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">GOD'S WORD&reg; Translation</a></span><br />I have found only this: God made people decent, but they looked for many ways [to avoid being decent]." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />This is all that I have learned: God made us plain and simple, but we have made ourselves very complicated. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />I have discovered only this: God made human beings for righteousness, but they seek many alternatives."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Only this have I found: I have discovered that God made men upright, but they have sought out many schemes.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ecclesiastes/7.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />This alone have I discovered: God made humankind upright, but they have sought many evil schemes. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Look, this only have I found, that God made humankind upright, but they search for many schemes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ecclesiastes/7.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Behold, I have only found this: that God made mankind upright; but they search for many inventions.&#8221; <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />See, this alone I have found, that God made man upright, and they have sought out many inventions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> See, this alone I have found, that God made man upright, and they -- they have sought out many devices.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Only see, this I found, that God made man upright; and they sought out many purposes.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Only this I have found, that God made man right, and he hath entangled himself with an infinity of questions. Who is as the wise man? and who hath known the resolution of the word? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 7:30>This alone have I discovered: that God made man righteous, and yet he has adulterated himself with innumerable questions. Who is so great as the wise? And who has understood the meaning of the word?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But this alone I have found: God made humankind honest, but they have pursued many designs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />See, this alone I found, that God made human beings straightforward, but they have devised many schemes.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But behold, this thing I have found, that God has made men upright; but they have sought out many devices.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />However, see this that I have found: "God has made men upright, and they have searched out many schemes"<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/7.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Behold, this only have I found, that God made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />But, behold, this have I found, that God made man upright; but they have sought out many devices.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/7-29.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8-2fxj-VcEg?start=1408" 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>&#8230;<span class="reftext">28</span>While my soul was still searching but not finding, among a thousand I have found one upright man, but among all these I have not found one such woman. <span class="reftext">29</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/905.htm" title="905: l&#601;&#183;&#7687;a&#7695; (Prep-l:: N-ms) -- Separation, a part. ">Only</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: zeh (Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">this</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: r&#601;&#183;&#8217;&#234;h- (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">have I found:</a> <a href="/hebrew/4672.htm" title="4672: m&#257;&#183;&#7779;&#257;&#183;&#7791;&#238; (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To attain to, find. ">I have discovered</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: &#8217;a&#774;&#183;&#353;er (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/430.htm" title="430: h&#257;&#183;&#8217;&#277;&#183;l&#333;&#183;h&#238;m (Art:: N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">God</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: &#8217;e&#7791;- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: &#8216;&#257;&#183;&#347;&#257;h (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">made</a> <a href="/hebrew/120.htm" title="120: h&#257;&#183;&#8217;&#257;&#183;&#7695;&#257;m (Art:: N-ms) -- Man, mankind. From 'adam; ruddy i.e. A human being.">men</a> <a href="/hebrew/3477.htm" title="3477: y&#257;&#183;&#353;&#257;r (Adj-ms) -- Straight, right. From yashar; straight.">upright,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: w&#601;&#183;h&#234;m&#183;m&#257;h (Conj-w:: Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they.">but they</a> <a href="/hebrew/1245.htm" title="1245: &#7687;iq&#183;&#353;&#363; (V-Piel-Perf-3cp) -- To seek. A primitive root; to search out; by implication, to strive after.">have sought out</a> <a href="/hebrew/7227.htm" title="7227: rab&#183;b&#238;m (Adj-mp) -- Much, many, great. By contracted from rabab; abundant.">many</a> <a href="/hebrew/2810.htm" title="2810: &#7717;i&#353;&#183;&#353;&#601;&#183;&#7687;&#333;&#183;n&#333;&#183;w&#7791; (N-mp) -- Device, invention. From chashab; a contrivance, i.e. Actual or mental.">schemes.&#8221;</a> </span><div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> &middot; <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="/genesis/1-27.htm">Genesis 1:27</a></span><br />So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/3-6.htm">Genesis 3:6</a></span><br />When the woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom, she took the fruit and ate it. She also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/5-12.htm">Romans 5:12</a></span><br />Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-21.htm">Romans 1:21-23</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, / and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/6-5.htm">Genesis 6:5</a></span><br />Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-23.htm">Romans 3:23</a></span><br />for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/53-6.htm">Isaiah 53:6</a></span><br />We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/16-25.htm">Proverbs 16:25</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="/jeremiah/17-9.htm">Jeremiah 17:9</a></span><br />The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/19-4.htm">Matthew 19:4</a></span><br />Jesus answered, &#8220;Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator &#8216;made them male and female,&#8217;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/15-21.htm">1 Corinthians 15:21-22</a></span><br />For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. / For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/4-24.htm">Ephesians 4:24</a></span><br />and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-10.htm">Colossians 3:10</a></span><br />and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/6-7.htm">Hosea 6:7</a></span><br />But they, like Adam, have transgressed the covenant; there they were unfaithful to Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/51-5.htm">Psalm 51:5</a></span><br />Surely I was brought forth in iniquity; I was sinful when my mother conceived me.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">See, this only have I found, that God has made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.</p><p class="hdg">god</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/1-26.htm">Genesis 1:26,27</a></b></br> And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth&#8230; </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/5-1.htm">Genesis 5:1</a></b></br> This <i>is</i> the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;</p><p class="hdg">they</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/3-6.htm">Genesis 3:6,7</a></b></br> And when the woman saw that the tree <i>was</i> good for food, and that it <i>was</i> pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make <i>one</i> wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat&#8230; </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/6-5.htm">Genesis 6:5,6,11,12</a></b></br> And GOD saw that the wickedness of man <i>was</i> great in the earth, and <i>that</i> every imagination of the thoughts of his heart <i>was</i> only evil continually&#8230; </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/11-4.htm">Genesis 11:4-6</a></b></br> And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top <i>may reach</i> unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth&#8230; </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-12.htm">Alone</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-32.htm">Devices</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-28.htm">Found</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-23.htm">Inventions</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-31.htm">Mankind</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-9.htm">Schemes</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-25.htm">Search</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-28.htm">Searching</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-8.htm">Sorts</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-28.htm">Sought</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-28.htm">Upright</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/songs/4-2.htm">Alone</a> <a href="/isaiah/16-6.htm">Devices</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-15.htm">Found</a> <a href="/romans/1-30.htm">Inventions</a> <a href="/isaiah/2-9.htm">Mankind</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-11.htm">Schemes</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-10.htm">Search</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-9.htm">Searching</a> <a href="/songs/7-13.htm">Sorts</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-9.htm">Sought</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-1.htm">Upright</a><div class="vheading2">Ecclesiastes 7</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-1.htm">remedies against vanity are, a good name</a></span><br><span class="reftext">2. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-2.htm">mortification</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-7.htm">patience</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-11.htm">wisdom</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-23.htm">The difficulty of wisdom</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "ca-pub-3753401421161123"; /* 200 x 200 Parallel Bible */ google_ad_slot = "7676643937"; google_ad_width = 200; google_ad_height = 200; //--> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>Only this have I found</b><br />The phrase "Only this have I found" suggests a conclusion or a significant realization by the author, traditionally believed to be Solomon. In the context of Ecclesiastes, this statement is a culmination of observations about human nature and the world. The Hebrew root for "found" (&#1502;&#1464;&#1510;&#1464;&#1488;, matsa) implies a diligent search or discovery, indicating that this insight comes after much contemplation and experience.<p><b>I have discovered</b><br />The repetition of the idea of discovery emphasizes the importance of the insight. The Hebrew word used here is similar to "found," reinforcing the notion of a deliberate and thoughtful process. This discovery is not a casual observation but a profound understanding gained through wisdom and reflection.<p><b>that God made men upright</b><br />This phrase highlights the original state of humanity as created by God. The Hebrew word for "upright" (&#1497;&#1464;&#1513;&#1464;&#1473;&#1512;, yashar) conveys a sense of moral integrity, righteousness, and alignment with God's will. It reflects the biblical teaching that humanity was created in the image of God (<a href="/genesis/1-27.htm">Genesis 1:27</a>), inherently good and designed to live in harmony with divine principles.<p><b>but they have sought out many schemes</b><br />The contrast introduced by "but" marks a deviation from the original state of uprightness. The Hebrew word for "sought out" (&#1489;&#1460;&#1468;&#1511;&#1461;&#1468;&#1513;&#1473;, biqqesh) implies an intentional pursuit or search, suggesting that humanity actively chooses to deviate from God's path. "Schemes" (&#1495;&#1460;&#1513;&#1456;&#1468;&#1473;&#1489;&#1493;&#1465;&#1504;&#1493;&#1465;&#1514;, chishbonot) refers to plans or devices, often with a negative connotation of cunning or deceit. This reflects the biblical narrative of the Fall, where humanity's disobedience led to a departure from God's intended order (Genesis 3).<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 29.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Lo, this only</span> (or, <span class="accented">only see! this</span>) <span class="accented"><span class="cmt_word"></span>have I found</span>. Universal corruption was that which met his wide investigations, but of one thing he was sure, which he proceeds to specify - he has learned to trace the degradation to its source, not in God's agency, but in man's perverse will. <span class="cmt_word">That God hath made man upright.</span> Koheleth believes that man's original constitution was <span class="accented">yasbar</span>, "straight," "right," "morally good," and possessed of ability to choose and follow what was just and right (<a href="/genesis/1-26.htm">Genesis 1:26</a>, etc.). Thus in the Book of Wisdom (2:23) we read, "God created man to be immortal, and made him an imago of his own nature (<span class="greek">&#x1f30;&#x3b9;&#x1f79;&#x3c4;&#x3b7;&#x3c4;&#x3bf;&#x3c2;</span>). Nevertheless, through envy of the devil, came death into the world, and they that are his portion tempt it." <span class="cmt_word">But they</span> (men) h<span class="cmt_word">ave sought out many inventions</span> (<span class="accented">chishshebonoth</span>); <a href="/2_chronicles/26-15.htm">2 Chronicles 26:15</a>, where the term implies works of invention, and is translated "engines," <span class="accented">i</span>.<span class="accented">e</span>. devices, ways of going astray and deviating from original righteousness. Man has thus abased his free-will, and employed the inventive faculty with which he was endowed in excoriating evil (<a href="/genesis/6-5.htm">Genesis 6:5</a>). How this state of things came about, how the originally good man became thus wicked, the writer does not tell. He knows from revelation that God made him upright; he knows from experience that he is now evil; and he leaves the matter there. Plumptre quotes, as illustrating our text, a passage from the 'Antigone' of Sophocles, vers. 332, 365, 366, which he renders- <p><span class="accented">"Many the things that strange and wondrous are,<br />None stranger and mere wonderful than man....<br />And lo, with all this skill,<br />Wise and inventive still,<br />Beyond hope's dream,<br />He now to good inclines,<br />And now to ill."</span> We may add AEschylus, 'Choeph.,' vers. 585, etc. - <p><span class="greek">&#x3a0;&#x3bf;&#x3bb;&#x3bb;&#x1f70;&#x20;&#x3bc;&#x1f73;&#x3bd;&#x20;&#x3b3;&#x1fb6;&#x20;&#x3c4;&#x3c1;&#x1f73;&#x3c6;&#x3b5;&#x3b9;</span><br /><span class="greek">&#x3b4;&#x3b5;&#x3b9;&#x3bd;&#x1f70;&#x20;&#x3b4;&#x3b5;&#x3b9;&#x3bc;&#x1f71;&#x3c4;&#x3c9;&#x3bd;&#x20;&#x1f04;&#x3c7;&#x3b7;</span>...<br /><span class="greek">&#x1f00;&#x3bb;&#x3bb;&#x20;&#x1f51;&#x3c0;&#x1f73;&#x3c1;&#x3c4;&#x3bf;&#x3bb;&#x3bc;&#x3bf;&#x3bd;</span><br /><span class="greek">&#x1f00;&#x3bd;&#x3b4;&#x3c1;&#x1f78;&#x3c2;&#x20;&#x3c6;&#x1f79;&#x3bd;&#x3b7;&#x3bc;&#x3b1;&#x20;&#x3c4;&#x1f77;&#x3c2;&#x20;&#x3bb;&#x1f73;&#x3b3;&#x3bf;&#x3b9;</span>; <p><span class="accented">"Many fearful plagues<br />Earth nourishes...<br />But man's audacious spirit<br />Who can tell?"</span> Horace, 'Carm.,' 1:3. 25 - . . . <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/7-29.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">Only</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1500;&#1456;&#1489;&#1463;&#1491;&#1433;</span> <span class="translit">(l&#601;&#183;&#7687;a&#7695;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l &#124; Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_905.htm">Strong's 905: </a> </span><span class="str2">Separation, a part of the body, branch of a, tree, bar for, carrying, chief of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">this</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1494;&#1462;&#1443;&#1492;</span> <span class="translit">(zeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> </span><span class="str2">This, that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">have I found:</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1512;&#1456;&#1488;&#1461;&#1492;&#1470;</span> <span class="translit">(r&#601;&#183;&#8217;&#234;h-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> </span><span class="str2">To see</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I have discovered</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1502;&#1464;&#1510;&#1464;&#1428;&#1488;&#1514;&#1460;&#1497;</span> <span class="translit">(m&#257;&#183;&#7779;&#257;&#183;&#7791;&#238;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4672.htm">Strong's 4672: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1488;&#1458;&#1513;&#1473;&#1462;&#1448;&#1512;</span> <span class="translit">(&#8217;a&#774;&#183;&#353;er)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">God</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1492;&#1464;&#1488;&#1457;&#1500;&#1465;&#1492;&#1460;&#1435;&#1497;&#1501;</span> <span class="translit">(h&#257;&#183;&#8217;&#277;&#183;l&#333;&#183;h&#238;m)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article &#124; Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">made</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1506;&#1464;&#1513;&#1474;&#1464;&#1447;&#1492;</span> <span class="translit">(&#8216;&#257;&#183;&#347;&#257;h)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">men</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1492;&#1464;&#1488;&#1464;&#1491;&#1464;&#1430;&#1501;</span> <span class="translit">(h&#257;&#183;&#8217;&#257;&#183;&#7695;&#257;m)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article &#124; Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_120.htm">Strong's 120: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ruddy, a human being</span><br /><br /><span class="word">upright,</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1497;&#1464;&#1513;&#1473;&#1464;&#1425;&#1512;</span> <span class="translit">(y&#257;&#183;&#353;&#257;r)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3477.htm">Strong's 3477: </a> </span><span class="str2">Straight, right</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but they</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1493;&#1456;&#1492;&#1461;&#1445;&#1502;&#1468;&#1464;&#1492;</span> <span class="translit">(w&#601;&#183;h&#234;m&#183;m&#257;h)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw &#124; Pronoun - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1992.htm">Strong's 1992: </a> </span><span class="str2">They</span><br /><br /><span class="word">have sought out</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1489;&#1460;&#1511;&#1456;&#1513;&#1473;&#1430;&#1493;&#1468;</span> <span class="translit">(&#7687;iq&#183;&#353;&#363;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1245.htm">Strong's 1245: </a> </span><span class="str2">To search out, to strive after</span><br /><br /><span class="word">many</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1512;&#1463;&#1489;&#1468;&#1460;&#1469;&#1497;&#1501;&#1475;</span> <span class="translit">(rab&#183;b&#238;m)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural<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">schemes.&#8221;</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1495;&#1460;&#1513;&#1473;&#1468;&#1456;&#1489;&#1465;&#1504;&#1445;&#1493;&#1465;&#1514;</span> <span class="translit">(&#7717;i&#353;&#183;&#353;&#601;&#183;&#7687;&#333;&#183;n&#333;&#183;w&#7791;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2810.htm">Strong's 2810: </a> </span><span class="str2">A contrivance, actual, mental</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/7-29.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:29 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/7-29.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:29 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/7-29.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:29 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/7-29.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:29 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/7-29.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:29 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/7-29.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:29 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/7-29.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:29 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/7-29.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:29 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/7-29.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:29 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/7-29.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:29 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-29.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 7:29 Behold this only have I found: that (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-28.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 7:28"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 7:28" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/8-1.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 8:1"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 8:1" /></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>

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