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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Ecclesiastes 1:16–17

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
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.
And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.
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SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

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Reference depth

From verse 16

  1. Ecclesiastes 2:9Rank 1 from verse 16
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    9So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.

  2. 1 Kings 4:30Rank 2 from verse 16
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    30And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.

  3. 1 Kings 10:7Rank 3 from verse 16
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    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.

  4. 1 Kings 3:12–13Rank 4 from verse 16
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    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.

  5. 2 Chronicles 1:10–12Rank 5 from verse 16
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    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.

From verse 17

  1. Ecclesiastes 2:3Rank 1 from verse 17
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    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.

  2. 1 Thessalonians 5:21Rank 2 from verse 17
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    21Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

  3. Ecclesiastes 1:13–14Rank 3 from verse 17
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    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.

  4. Ecclesiastes 2:10–12Rank 4 from verse 17
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    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.

  5. Ecclesiastes 7:23–25Rank 5 from verse 17
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    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:

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

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DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 1:16

COMBINED MEANING

communed

↗

1. Talked, conversed, or conferred with another. 2. Considered and reasoned within one's own heart.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

heart

↗

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

COMBINED MEANING

lo

↗

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

COMBINED MEANING

estate

↗

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

COMBINED MEANING

wisdom

↗

Knowledge, understanding, judgment, skill, or prudence.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

before

↗

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

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

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

COMBINED MEANING

yea

↗

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

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 1:17

COMBINED MEANING

gave

↗

1. Bestowed, delivered, or granted. 2. Caused or appointed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

heart

↗

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

COMBINED MEANING

know

↗

To perceive, understand, recognize, experience, or be assured of something.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

wisdom

↗

Knowledge, understanding, judgment, skill, or prudence.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

madness

↗

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

COMBINED MEANING

spirit

↗

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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Surrounding Verses

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15That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.

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.

Selected passage

17And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.

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18For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

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