Ecclesiastes 7:25
I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness:
Original Language Analysis
סַבּ֨וֹתִֽי
I applied
H5437
סַבּ֨וֹתִֽי
I applied
Strong's:
H5437
Word #:
1 of 13
to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively
וְלִבִּי֙
mine heart
H3820
וְלִבִּי֙
mine heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
3 of 13
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
וְלָדַ֙עַת֙
of things and to know
H3045
וְלָדַ֙עַת֙
of things and to know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
4 of 13
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
וְלָת֔וּר
and to search
H8446
וְלָת֔וּר
and to search
Strong's:
H8446
Word #:
5 of 13
to meander (causatively, guide) about, especially for trade or reconnoitring
וּבַקֵּ֥שׁ
and to seek out
H1245
וּבַקֵּ֥שׁ
and to seek out
Strong's:
H1245
Word #:
6 of 13
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
וְחֶשְׁבּ֑וֹן
and the reason
H2808
וְחֶשְׁבּ֑וֹן
and the reason
Strong's:
H2808
Word #:
8 of 13
properly, contrivance; by implication, intelligence
וְלָדַ֙עַת֙
of things and to know
H3045
וְלָדַ֙עַת֙
of things and to know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
9 of 13
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כֶּ֔סֶל
of folly
H3689
כֶּ֔סֶל
of folly
Strong's:
H3689
Word #:
11 of 13
properly, fatness, i.e., by implication (literally) the loin (as the seat of the leaf fat) or (generally) the viscera; also (figuratively) silliness o
Historical Context
Solomon's comprehensive investigations (1 Kings 4:32-34) included natural sciences, poetry, proverbs, and moral philosophy—arguably history's most ambitious intellectual project. Yet even this couldn't produce absolute wisdom.
Questions for Reflection
- How seriously are you engaged in the pursuit of wisdom versus passively accepting cultural assumptions?
- What does it mean to intentionally study 'the wickedness of folly'—understanding evil without participating in it?
- How can you balance rigorous intellectual pursuit with humble recognition of wisdom's limits?
Analysis & Commentary
I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom (סַבּוֹתִי אֲנִי וְלִבִּי לָדַעַת וְלָתוּר וּבַקֵּשׁ חָכְמָה וְחֶשְׁבּוֹן, sabboti ani velibbi lada'at velatur uvaqesh chokhmah vecheshbon)—three verbs intensify the search: lada'at (to know), latur (to explore/investigate), uvaqesh (to seek). The term cheshbon means 'reckoning' or 'reason.' And to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness (וְלָדַעַת רֶשַׁע כֶּסֶל וְהַסִּכְלוּת הוֹלֵלוֹת, velada'at resha kesel vehasiklut holelot)—recognizing evil (resha), folly (kesel), foolishness (siklut), and madness (holelot).
Despite wisdom's elusiveness (verses 23-24), Qoheleth persisted in rigorous investigation—he 'turned' (sabboti, suggesting comprehensive examination from every angle) both himself and his heart toward the quest. The pairing chokhmah vecheshbon (wisdom and reason/accounting) indicates systematic analysis. But notably, his search included understanding resha kesel (the wickedness of folly)—recognizing evil requires intentional study, not just naive assumptions. The progression from kesel (folly) to siklut (foolishness) to holelot (madness) traces sin's degenerative path. Romans 1:21-22 describes identical progression: 'claiming to be wise, they became fools.'