Ecclesiastes 7:24
That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?
Original Language Analysis
רָח֖וֹק
That which is far off
H7350
רָח֖וֹק
That which is far off
Strong's:
H7350
Word #:
1 of 7
remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially (with preposition)
מַה
H4100
מַה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
2 of 7
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
שֶּׁהָיָ֑ה
H1961
שֶּׁהָיָ֑ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
3 of 7
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
Cross References
Romans 11:33O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!1 Timothy 6:16Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.Psalms 139:6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.Job 28:28And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.Psalms 36:6Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.
Historical Context
Ancient wisdom traditions across cultures (Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Greek) acknowledged ultimate mysteries beyond human comprehension. Biblical wisdom uniquely pointed beyond human limitation toward divine revelation as the solution.
Questions for Reflection
- How should recognition of wisdom's 'far off and exceeding deep' nature shape your approach to complex questions?
- In what areas might you be presuming comprehension that exceeds human capacity?
- How does dependence on God's revelation through Scripture and Spirit address the 'deep' things human wisdom cannot reach?
Analysis & Commentary
That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out? (רָחוֹק מַה־שֶּׁהָיָה וְעָמֹק עָמֹק מִי יִמְצָאֶנּוּ, rachok mah-shehayah ve'amoq amoq mi yimtsa'ennu)—literally 'far off is that which has been, and deep, deep—who can find it?' The doubled amoq amoq (deep, deep) intensifies the metaphor of inaccessible profundity. The rhetorical question mi yimtsa'ennu (who can find it?) expects the answer: no one.
This verse continues verse 23's epistemological humility, employing spatial metaphors for wisdom's inaccessibility: rachok (distant/far off) and amoq (deep). The duplication of 'deep' emphasizes fathomless mystery—truth lies beyond both horizontal reach and vertical depth. Job expressed identical frustration: 'Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty? It is higher than heaven—what can you do? Deeper than Sheol—what can you know?' (Job 11:7-8). Paul later celebrated what human wisdom couldn't find: 'The Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God' (1 Corinthians 2:10). What remains 'far off and exceeding deep' to natural reason, God reveals through His Spirit.