Ecclesiastes 7:23-24

Human Wisdom is Limited

7:23 I have examined all this by wisdom;

I said, “I am determined ¹  to comprehend this” ²  – but it was beyond my grasp. ³ 

7:24 Whatever has happened is beyond human ⁴  understanding; ⁵ 

it is far deeper than anyone can fathom. ⁶ 

Isaiah 26:9

26:9 I ⁷  look for ⁸  you during the night,

my spirit within me seeks you at dawn,

for when your judgments come upon the earth,

those who live in the world learn about justice. ⁹ 

[7:23]  ¹ tn The cohortative אֶחְכָּמָה (’ekhkamah, from חָכַם, khakham,“to be wise”) emphasizes the resolve (determination) of Qoheleth to become wise enough to understand the perplexities of life.

[7:23]  ² tn Or “I am determined to become wise”

[7:23]  ³ tn Or “but it eluded me”; Heb “but it was far from me.”

[7:24]  ⁴ tn The word “human” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.

[7:24]  ⁵ tn Heb “is far away.”

[7:24]  ⁶ tn Heb “It is deep, deep – who can find it?” The repetition of the word “deep” emphasizes the degree of incomprehensibility. See IBHS 233-34 §12.5a.

[26:9]  ⁷ tn Heb “with my soul I.” This is a figure for the speaker himself (“I”).

[26:9]  ⁸ tn Or “long for, desire.” The speaker acknowledges that he is eager to see God come in judgment (see vv. 8, 9b).

[26:9]  ⁹ tn The translation understands צֶדֶק (tsedeq) in the sense of “justice,” but it is possible that it carries the nuance “righteousness,” in which case one might translate, “those who live in the world learn to live in a righteous manner” (cf. NCV).