Ecclesiastes 1:16–17
I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.
I communed with mine owne heart, saying, Loe, I am come to great estate, and haue gotten *more wisedome then all they that haue beene before me in Ierusalem: yea my heart †had great experience of wisedome & knowledge.
Original 1611 marginTranslation notes and cross-references are kept distinct.
- †Hebrew wordingHeb. had seene much.
- *Cross-reference1.King.4.30. and 10.7, 23.
And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.
*And I gaue my heart to know wisedome, and to know madnesse and folly: I perceiued that this also is vexation of spirit.
Original 1611 marginTranslation notes and cross-references are kept distinct.
- *Cross-referenceCha.2.12. and 7.23.
Narration uses the Pure Cambridge Edition.
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From verse 16
- Ecclesiastes 2:9Rank 1 from verse 16
- 1 Kings 4:30Rank 2 from verse 16
- 1 Kings 10:7Rank 3 from verse 16
7Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard.
7Howbeit, I beleeued not the words, vntill I came and mine eyes had seene it: and beholde, the halfe was not told me: †thy wisedom and prosperitie exceedeth the fame which I heard.
- 1 Kings 3:12–13Rank 4 from verse 16
12Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
13And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.
12Behold, I haue done according to thy word: loe, I haue giuen thee a wise and an vnderstanding heart, so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like vnto thee.
13And I haue also *giuen thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there ‖shall not be any among the Kings like vnto thee, all thy dayes.
- 2 Chronicles 1:10–12Rank 5 from verse 16
10Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?
11And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king:
12Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.
10Giue *mee now wisedome and knowledge, that I may goe out and come in before this people. For who can iudge this thy people, that is so great?
11And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisedome and knowledge for thy selfe, that thou mayest iudge my people, ouer whom I haue made thee King:
12Wisedome and knowledge is granted vnto thee, and I will giue thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as *none of the kings haue had, that haue beene before thee, neither shall there any after thee haue the like.
- 2 Chronicles 2:12Rank 6 from verse 16
12Huram said moreover, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, that made heaven and earth, who hath given to David the king a wise son, endued with prudence and understanding, that might build an house for the Lord, and an house for his kingdom.
12Huram said moreouer, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel that made heauen and earth, who hath giuen to Dauid the King a wise sonne, †indued with prudence and vnderstanding, that might build an house for the LORD, and an house for his kingdome.
- Hebrews 5:14Rank 7 from verse 16
14But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
14‖‖But strong meate belongeth to them that are of full age, euen those who by reason of vse haue their senses exercised to discerne both good and euil.
- Psalms 4:4Rank 8 from verse 16
- 1 Kings 10:23–24Rank 9 from verse 16
23So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom.
24¶ And all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.
23So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth, for riches and for wisedome.
24¶ And all the earth †sought to Solomon, to heare his wisedom which God had put in his heart.
- 2 Chronicles 9:22–23Rank 10 from verse 16
22And king Solomon passed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.
23¶ And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, that God had put in his heart.
22And king Solomon passed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisedome.
23¶ And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to heare his wisedome, that God had put in his heart.
- 2 Kings 5:20Rank 11 from verse 16
20¶ But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the Lord liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him.
20¶ But Gehazi the seruant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiuing at his hands that which hee brought: but as the LORD liueth, I wil runne after him, and take somewhat of him.
- Daniel 4:30Rank 12 from verse 16
30The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?
30The King spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I haue built for the house of the kingdome, by the might of my power, and for the honour of my maiestie?
- Ezekiel 38:10–11Rank 13 from verse 16
10Thus saith the Lord God; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought:
11And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates,
10‖Thus saith the LORD God; It shall also come to passe, that at the same time shall things come into thy minde, and thou shalt thinke an euill thought.
11‖And thou shalt say: I will goe vp to the land of vnwalled villages; I will goe to them that are at rest, that dwell safely all of them dwelling without walles, and hauing neither barres nor gates;
- Isaiah 10:7–14Rank 14 from verse 16
7Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few.
8For he saith, Are not my princes altogether kings?
9Is not Calno as Carchemish? is not Hamath as Arpad? is not Samaria as Damascus?
10As my hand hath found the kingdoms of the idols, and whose graven images did excel them of Jerusalem and of Samaria;
11Shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and her idols?
12Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks.
13For he saith, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I am prudent: and I have removed the bounds of the people, and have robbed their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man:
14And my hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people: and as one gathereth eggs that are left, have I gathered all the earth; and there was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped.
7Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart thinke so, but it is in his heart to destroy, and cut off nations not a few.
8*For he saith, Are not my princes altogether kings?
9Is not Calno, as Carchemish? Is not Hamath, as Arpad? Is not Samaria, as Damascus?
10As my hand hath found the kingdomes of the idoles, and whose grauen images did excell them of Ierusalem and of Samaria:
11Shall I not, as I haue done vnto Samaria and her idoles, so doe to Ierusalem and her idoles?
12*††Wherefore it shall come to passe, that when the LORD hath performed his whole worke vpon mount Zion, and on Ierusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high lookes.
13‖For hee saith, By the strength of my hand I haue done it, and by my wisedome, for I am prudent: and I haue remooued the bounds of the people, and haue robbed their treasures, and I haue put downe the inhabitants like a valiant man.
14And my hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people: and as one gathereth egges that are left, haue I gathered all the earth, and there was none that moued the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped.
- Jeremiah 22:14Rank 15 from verse 16
14That saith, I will build me a wide house and large chambers, and cutteth him out windows; and it is cieled with cedar, and painted with vermilion.
14†‖That saith, I will build mee a wide house and large chambers, and cutteth him out windowes, and it is sieled with cedar, and painted with vermilion.
- Psalms 77:6Rank 16 from verse 16
From verse 17
- Ecclesiastes 2:3Rank 1 from verse 17
3I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.
3*††I sought in mine heart to giue my selfe vnto wine, (yet acquainting mine heart with wisedome) and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sonnes of men, which they should doe vnder the heauen all the dayes of their life.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:21Rank 2 from verse 17
- Ecclesiastes 1:13–14Rank 3 from verse 17
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.
14I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
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.
14I haue seene all the workes that are done vnder the Sunne, and behold, all is vanitie, and vexation of spirit.
- Ecclesiastes 2:10–12Rank 4 from verse 17
10And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.
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.
12¶ And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done.
10And whatsoeuer mine eyes desired, I kept not from them; I withheld not my heart from any ioy: for my heart reioyced in all my labour; and this was my portion of all my labour.
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.
12¶ *‖And I turned my selfe to behold wisedome, and madnesse and folly: for what can the man doe, that commeth after the king? euen that which hath bene already done.
- Ecclesiastes 7:23–25Rank 5 from verse 17
23¶ All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
24That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?
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:
23¶ All this haue I prooued by wisedome: I said, I will be wise, but it was farre from me.
24That which is farre off, and exceeding deepe, who can finde it out?
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.
WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE
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DEFINED WORDS
Ecclesiastes 1:16
1. Talked, conversed, or conferred with another. 2. Considered and reasoned within one's own heart.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
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
An exclamation meaning look, see, behold, observe, or take notice, used to call immediate attention to what follows.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: A person’s or group’s state, condition, standing, rank, position, office, appointed sphere, or course. Sense 2: A body or order of persons and the place occupied by a successor.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893
1. Obtained, acquired, or gained. 2. Begotten.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
Knowledge, understanding, judgment, skill, or prudence.
Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references
Earlier than in time; in front of; in the presence of; or prior in order or rank.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. Indeed, marking confirmation, emphasis, addition, continuation, or heightening of what is said; it may also emphasize a question. 2. Yes, expressing an affirmative answer or declaration.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
COMBINED MEANING
experience
Knowledge gained by trial, practice, or personal encounter.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Understanding or awareness gained by knowing; recognition; what is known.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
DEFINED WORDS
Ecclesiastes 1:17
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
To perceive, understand, recognize, experience, or be assured of something.
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
Extreme folly; headstrong passion and rashness that act in opposition to reason; Wildness of passion; fury; rage.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
Became aware of, recognized, discerned, or understood.
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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15That 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.
16I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.
16I communed with mine owne heart, saying, Loe, I am come to great estate, and haue gotten *more wisedome then all they that haue beene before me in Ierusalem: yea my heart †had great experience of wisedome & knowledge.
Selected passage17And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.
17*And I gaue my heart to know wisedome, and to know madnesse and folly: I perceiued that this also is vexation of spirit.
Selected passage18For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
18For in much wisedome is much griefe: and hee that increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorrow.