Ecclesiastes 1:13–14
And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.
And I gaue my heart to seeke and search out by wisedome, concerning all things that are done vnder heauen: this sore trauell hath God giuen to the sonnes of man, ‖to be exercised therewith.
Original 1611 marginTranslation notes and cross-references are kept distinct.
- ‖Alternative wordingOr, to afflict them.
I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
I haue seene all the workes that are done vnder the Sunne, and behold, all is vanitie, and vexation of spirit.
Narration uses the Pure Cambridge Edition.
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From verse 13
- Ecclesiastes 3:10Rank 1 from verse 13
- Genesis 3:19Rank 2 from verse 13
19In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
19In the sweate of thy face shalt thou eate bread, till thou returne vnto the ground: for out of it wast thou taken, for dust thou art, and vnto dust shalt thou returne.
- 1 Timothy 4:15Rank 3 from verse 13
- Ecclesiastes 8:16–17Rank 4 from verse 13
16¶ When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes:)
17Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea further; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.
16¶ When I applied mine heart to know wisedome, and to see the busines that is done vpon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleepe with his eyes.)
17Then I behelde all the worke of God, that a man cannot finde out the worke that is done vnder the Sunne: because though a man labour to seeke it out, yea further though a wise man thinke to know it, yet shall hee not be able to finde it.
- Ecclesiastes 1:17Rank 5 from verse 13
- Ecclesiastes 12:12Rank 6 from verse 13
- Ecclesiastes 7:25Rank 7 from verse 13
25I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness:
25†I applyed mine heart to know, and to search, and to seeke out wisdome, and the reason of things, aud to know the wickednes of folly, euen of foolishnesse and madnesse.
- Ecclesiastes 2:23Rank 8 from verse 13
- Ecclesiastes 2:26Rank 9 from verse 13
26For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
26†*For God giueth to a man that is good in his sight, wisedome, and knowledge, and ioy: but to the sinner hee giueth traueile, to gather and to heape vp that he may giue to him that is good before God: This also is vanitie and vexation of spirit.
- Ecclesiastes 4:4Rank 10 from verse 13
4¶ Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
4¶ ††Againe I considered all trauaile, and euery right worke, that for this a man is enuied of his neighbour: this is also vanitie, and vexation of spirit.
- Ecclesiastes 8:9Rank 11 from verse 13
9All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man ruleth over another to his own hurt.
9All this haue I seene, and applied my heart vnto euery worke that is done vnder the Sunne: there is a time wherein one man ruleth ouer another to his owne hurt.
- Proverbs 18:1Rank 12 from verse 13
- Proverbs 18:15Rank 13 from verse 13
- Proverbs 2:2–4Rank 14 from verse 13
2So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
3Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
4If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
2So that thou incline thine eare vnto wisedome, and apply thine heart to vnderstanding:
3Yea if thou cryest after knowledge, and †liftest vp thy voyce for vnderstanding:
4*If thou seekest her as siluer, and searchest for her, as for hid treasures:
- Proverbs 23:26Rank 15 from verse 13
- Proverbs 4:7Rank 16 from verse 13
- Psalms 111:2Rank 17 from verse 13
From verse 14
- Ecclesiastes 2:11Rank 1 from verse 14
11Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.
11*Then I looked on all the workes that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to doe: and behold, all was vanitie, and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit vnder the Sunne.
- Ecclesiastes 2:17Rank 2 from verse 14
- Ecclesiastes 2:26Rank 3 from verse 14
26For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
26†*For God giueth to a man that is good in his sight, wisedome, and knowledge, and ioy: but to the sinner hee giueth traueile, to gather and to heape vp that he may giue to him that is good before God: This also is vanitie and vexation of spirit.
- Ecclesiastes 6:9Rank 4 from verse 14
- Ecclesiastes 1:17–18Rank 5 from verse 14
17And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.
18For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
17*And I gaue my heart to know wisedome, and to know madnesse and folly: I perceiued that this also is vexation of spirit.
18For in much wisedome is much griefe: and hee that increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorrow.
- Ecclesiastes 4:4Rank 6 from verse 14
4¶ Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
4¶ ††Againe I considered all trauaile, and euery right worke, that for this a man is enuied of his neighbour: this is also vanitie, and vexation of spirit.
- Psalms 39:5–6Rank 7 from verse 14
5Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.
6Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.
5†*Behold, thou hast made my dayes as an hand breadth, and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily euery man at his best state is altogether vanitie. Selah.
6†Surely euery man walketh in a vaine shew: surely they are disquieted in vaine: he heapeth vp riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.
- 1 Kings 4:30–32Rank 8 from verse 14
30And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.
31For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about.
32And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five.
30And Solomons wisedome excelled the wisedome of all the children of the East countrey, and all the wisedome of Egypt.
31For hee was wiser then all men; then Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda the sonnes of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about.
32And he spake three thousand prouerbes: and his songs were a thousand and fiue.
WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE
Definitions
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DEFINED WORDS
Ecclesiastes 1:13
1. Bestowed, delivered, or granted. 2. Caused or appointed.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
Sense 1: The bodily organ. Sense 2: The inward person: the mind, will, affections, conscience, or moral character.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: To seek carefully, examine, explore, or inquire in order to find or know. Sense 2: A careful examination or inquiry made to find or know.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Outside, away from within, forth, absent, or no longer in a stated condition.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Knowledge, understanding, judgment, skill, or prudence.
Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references
COMBINED MEANING
concerning
Regarding, relating to, or about.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: The firmament or expanse above the earth, including the sky and the region of the sun, moon, stars, clouds, rain, and flying creatures. Sense 2: The realm above spoken of as God's throne and dwelling place, and as the place of angels, heavenly beings, and the righteous. Sense 3: By metonymy, God, heavenly authority or source, or those who dwell there.
Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
Sense 1: Painful, grievous, severe, or causing distress. Sense 2: Greatly, exceedingly, or intensely. Sense 3: A wound, ulcer, or tender or diseased place.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: The painful labour and anguish of childbirth. Sense 2: To undergo such labour. Sense 3: Severe toil, trouble, sorrow, or suffering.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828
The one true God.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Bestowed, granted, delivered, or appointed.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Practiced, employed, occupied, or trained by repeated use.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828
1. By means of or using that. 2. With or together with that.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
DEFINED WORDS
Ecclesiastes 1:14
Plural of work: acts, deeds, labours, operations, products, or things made.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
The great light that rules the day and gives light and heat.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. Used as an attention word or command directing someone to look at or take notice of the person, thing, statement, or event presented: look; see; take notice. 2. As a verb, to look upon, see, observe, or witness.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Emptiness, futility, worthlessness, falsehood, unreliability, or transience.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Trouble, distress, irritation, or that which wearies and afflicts the mind.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: An immaterial living or personal being distinct from a body. Sense 2: The inward life, disposition, mind, or courage of a person. Sense 3: The Holy Spirit, the divine Spirit of God.
Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references
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12¶ I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
12¶ I the Preacher was king ouer Israel in Ierusalem.
13And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.
13And I gaue my heart to seeke and search out by wisedome, concerning all things that are done vnder heauen: this sore trauell hath God giuen to the sonnes of man, ‖to be exercised therewith.
Selected passage14I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
14I haue seene all the workes that are done vnder the Sunne, and behold, all is vanitie, and vexation of spirit.
Selected passage15That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.
15* That which is crooked, cannot be made straight: and †that which is wanting cannot be numbred.