What does Ecclesiastes 7:24 mean?
"That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?" - Ecclesiastes 7:24

Ecclesiastes 7:24 in the King James Version of the Bible reads, "That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?" This verse is from the book of Ecclesiastes, which is traditionally attributed to King Solomon, the son of David, and the king of Israel. The book is known for its reflective and philosophical nature, and it explores the meaning of life, the pursuit of wisdom, and the fleeting nature of earthly desires and achievements.
In this particular verse, the author is pondering the profound mysteries of the world and the limitations of human understanding. The phrase "that which is far off, and exceeding deep" suggests something elusive and mysterious, beyond the grasp of ordinary human comprehension. The rhetorical question "who can find it out?" highlights the incomprehensibility of such deep and distant truths.
The theme of seeking wisdom and understanding is woven throughout the book of Ecclesiastes, and this verse is a reflection of the author's contemplation on the limitations of human knowledge. It speaks to the inherent human desire to uncover the secrets of the universe and understand the mysteries of life. However, it also acknowledges the ultimate futility of this pursuit, as some truths may be beyond human capacity to comprehend.
The context of this verse within the book of Ecclesiastes is important for understanding its deeper meaning. Throughout the book, the author explores the transitory nature of human existence and the pursuit of worldly pleasures and achievements. He reflects on the vanity of pursuing wealth, success, and pleasure, as they ultimately lead to emptiness and disillusionment. In the face of the fleeting and ephemeral nature of life, the author grapples with the larger questions of meaning, purpose, and the pursuit of wisdom.
The verse Ecclesiastes 7:24 can be seen as a reflection of the author's humility in the face of the unknown and the unknowable. It acknowledges the limitations of human wisdom and understanding, and it encourages a sense of awe and reverence for the mysteries of life. It also speaks to the need for humility and acceptance of the things that are beyond human control or comprehension.
Symbolically, the phrase "far off and exceeding deep" can be interpreted as referring to the divine and transcendent aspects of existence. It points to the ineffable and mysterious nature of God and the spiritual realm, which are beyond the reach of human understanding. The question "who can find it out?" emphasizes the humility and awe that should accompany the contemplation of such profound truths.
Overall, Ecclesiastes 7:24 is a thought-provoking and contemplative verse that prompts the reader to consider the limits of human knowledge and the mysteries of existence. It encourages humility, awe, and reverence in the face of the unknown, and it serves as a reminder of the ultimate inscrutability of certain aspects of life. In the broader context of Ecclesiastes, this verse contributes to the book's overarching themes of wisdom, meaning, and the transitory nature of human pursuits. It invites the reader to ponder the deeper mysteries of life and to approach them with a sense of humility and wonder.
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Ecclesiastes 7:24 - "That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?"
"That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?" - Ecclesiastes 7:24
Ecclesiastes 7:7 - "¶ Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart."
Ecclesiastes 3:7-8
Ecclesiastes 7:11 - "¶ Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun."
Ecclesiastes 4:7 - "Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun."
Ecclesiastes 7:9 - "Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools."
Ecclesiastes 6:7 - "All the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled."
Ecclesiastes 7:20 - "For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not."
Ecclesiastes 7:3 - "Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better."
Ecclesiastes 11:7 - "¶ Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun:"
Ecclesiastes 7:4 - "The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth."
Ecclesiastes 8:7 - "For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?"
Ecclesiastes 5:7 - "For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God."
Ecclesiastes 7:19 - "Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city."
Ecclesiastes 3:7 - "A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;"
Ecclesiastes 7:6 - "For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity."
Ecclesiastes 7:5 - "It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools."
Ecclesiastes 12:7 - "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it."
Ecclesiastes 7:13 - "Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?"
Ecclesiastes 7:23 - "¶ All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me."
Ecclesiastes 7:1 - "A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth."
Ecclesiastes 7:8 - "Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit."
Ecclesiastes 10:7 - "I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth."
Ecclesiastes 7:12 - "For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it."
"¶ Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart." - Ecclesiastes 7:7
Ecclesiastes 7:17 - "Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?"
Ecclesiastes 7:22 - "For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others."
Ecclesiastes 7:27 - "Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account:"
Ecclesiastes 7:16 - "Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?"