Ecclesiastes 2:12
¶ 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.
¶ *‖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.
Original 1611 marginTranslation notes and cross-references are kept distinct.
- ‖Alternative wordingOr, in those things which haue bene already done.
- *Cross-referenceChap. 1.17. and 7.23.
Narration uses the Pure Cambridge Edition.
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From verse 12
- Ecclesiastes 1:17Rank 1 from verse 12
- Ecclesiastes 7:25Rank 2 from verse 12
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 1:9–10Rank 3 from verse 12
9The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
10Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.
9*The thing that hath beene, it is that which shall be: and that which is done, is that which shall be done; and there is no new thing vnder the sunne.
10Is there any thing, whereof it may be sayd, See, this is new? it hath beene already of olde time, which was before vs.
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DEFINED WORDS
Ecclesiastes 2:12
Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of turn, meaning to change direction, position, condition, purpose, or allegiance; to cause such a change.
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
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
1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.
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
1. Later than or following in time or order. 2. Behind. 3. In pursuit of.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
A sovereign ruler; one exercising royal authority over a kingdom.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. Used to emphasize, include, or precisely identify what is meant: indeed, precisely, or namely. 2. Used to mark a boundary, endpoint, or full reach in place, time, or degree: up to, as far as, or through. 3. In ‘even as,’ ‘even so,’ and like constructions, just as, exactly so, or in the same manner. 4. The evening, or close of day. 5. Equal, level, identical, balanced, or uniform.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Before the present or stated time; by this time.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
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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.
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.
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.
Selected passage13Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.
13†Then I saw that wisedome excelleth folly, as farre as light excelleth darkenesse.