Ecclesiastes 1:12-18
Lexham English Bible
Qohelet Introduces His Quest
12 I, the Teacher,[a] was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 I applied my mind to seek and to search by wisdom all that is done under the heavens.[b] It is a grievous task God has given to humans.[c] 14 I saw all the works that are done under the sun. Look! Everything is vanity and chasing wind.
16 I said to myself,[f] “Look! I have become great and have increased in wisdom more than anyone who has preceded[g] me over Jerusalem. I have acquired a great deal of wisdom and knowledge.”[h] 17 So I dedicated myself[i] to learn about wisdom and to learn about delusion and folly. However, I discovered[j] that this also is chasing wind.
18 For in much wisdom is much frustration,[k]
and whoever increases knowledge increases sorrow.
Footnotes
- Ecclesiastes 1:12 Hebrew “Qohelet”
- Ecclesiastes 1:13 MT reads “under the heavens,” which is supported by LXX; however, several versions (Syriac Peshitta, Aramaic Targum, Latin Vulgate) as well as the Cairo Geniza manuscript read, “under the sun,” cf. 1:3, 9, etc.
- Ecclesiastes 1:13 Literally “the sons of the man”
- Ecclesiastes 1:15 The MT reads the active “to be straight”; however, the BHS editors suggest the passive “to be straightened,” which is supported by LXX, which reflects a passive form
- Ecclesiastes 1:15 The MT reads “to be numbered”; however, the BHS editors suggest “to be supplied,” comparing 1:15b with similar wording in the Babylonian Talmud: “May the Almighty replenish your loss” (b. Berachot 16b)
- Ecclesiastes 1:16 Literally “I myself said to my heart”
- Ecclesiastes 1:16 Literally “before me”
- Ecclesiastes 1:16 Literally “And my mind has seen much wisdom and knowledge”
- Ecclesiastes 1:17 Literally “So I gave my heart”
- Ecclesiastes 1:17 Or “I knew”
- Ecclesiastes 1:18 Or “vexation”
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