Ecclesiastes 1:13

Authorized King James Version

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And 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.

Original Language Analysis

נָתַ֧ן And I gave H5414
נָתַ֧ן And I gave
Strong's: H5414
Word #: 1 of 21
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 2 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לִבִּ֗י my heart H3820
לִבִּ֗י my heart
Strong's: H3820
Word #: 3 of 21
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
לִדְר֤וֹשׁ to seek H1875
לִדְר֤וֹשׁ to seek
Strong's: H1875
Word #: 4 of 21
properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
וְלָתוּר֙ and search out H8446
וְלָתוּר֙ and search out
Strong's: H8446
Word #: 5 of 21
to meander (causatively, guide) about, especially for trade or reconnoitring
בַּֽחָכְמָ֔ה by wisdom H2451
בַּֽחָכְמָ֔ה by wisdom
Strong's: H2451
Word #: 6 of 21
wisdom (in a good sense)
עַ֛ל H5921
עַ֛ל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 7 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 8 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 9 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נַעֲשָׂ֖ה concerning all things that are done H6213
נַעֲשָׂ֖ה concerning all things that are done
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 10 of 21
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
תַּ֣חַת H8478
תַּ֣חַת
Strong's: H8478
Word #: 11 of 21
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם under heaven H8064
הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם under heaven
Strong's: H8064
Word #: 12 of 21
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
ה֣וּא׀ H1931
ה֣וּא׀
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 13 of 21
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
עִנְיַ֣ן travail H6045
עִנְיַ֣ן travail
Strong's: H6045
Word #: 14 of 21
ado, i.e., (generally) employment or (specifically) an affair
רָ֗ע this sore H7451
רָ֗ע this sore
Strong's: H7451
Word #: 15 of 21
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
נָתַ֧ן And I gave H5414
נָתַ֧ן And I gave
Strong's: H5414
Word #: 16 of 21
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֱלֹהִ֛ים hath God H430
אֱלֹהִ֛ים hath God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 17 of 21
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
לִבְנֵ֥י to the sons H1121
לִבְנֵ֥י to the sons
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 18 of 21
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
הָאָדָ֖ם of man H120
הָאָדָ֖ם of man
Strong's: H120
Word #: 19 of 21
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
לַעֲנ֥וֹת to be exercised H6031
לַעֲנ֥וֹת to be exercised
Strong's: H6031
Word #: 20 of 21
to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)
בּֽוֹ׃ H0
בּֽוֹ׃
Strong's: H0
Word #: 21 of 21

Analysis & Commentary

Solomon describes his quest: 'And 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.' The phrase 'gave my heart' (natati et-libi, נָתַתִּי אֶת־לִבִּי) indicates wholehearted intellectual pursuit. The verbs 'seek' (darosh, דָּרַשׁ) and 'search out' (tur, תּוּר) suggest comprehensive, systematic investigation. Yet this pursuit is 'sore travail' (inyan ra, עִנְיַן רָע)—burdensome, painful occupation. The phrase 'God given' indicates divine appointment: God designed humans to wrestle with ultimate questions about meaning, purpose, and reality. This intellectual struggle is both privilege (capacity for wisdom) and burden (never reaching complete understanding). The verse teaches that pursuing wisdom is divinely ordained human vocation, though limited and sometimes painful.

Historical Context

Solomon's wisdom was legendary (1 Kings 4:29-34), giving him authority to describe wisdom's pursuit and limitations. Ancient Near Eastern sages similarly pursued comprehensive knowledge—Egyptian wisdom schools, Mesopotamian scribes. Yet Ecclesiastes uniquely acknowledges that this quest is 'sore travail'—difficult, burdensome, ultimately incomplete. The fall affected human cognition; pursuing truth in a fallen world involves frustration and limitation. Yet the pursuit remains valuable—God designed humans as truth-seekers. The New Testament affirms this: 'we know in part' now (1 Corinthians 13:9) but will know fully in glory. The Reformers emphasized that while human reason is valuable, it cannot discover saving truth apart from revelation. Faith seeks understanding (Anselm), but ultimate wisdom comes through Christ (Colossians 2:3).

Questions for Reflection