Ecclesiastes 7:27
Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account:
Original Language Analysis
רְאֵה֙
Behold
H7200
רְאֵה֙
Behold
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
1 of 9
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
לִמְצֹ֥א
this have I found
H4672
לִמְצֹ֥א
this have I found
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
3 of 9
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
קֹהֶ֑לֶת
the preacher
H6953
קֹהֶ֑לֶת
the preacher
Strong's:
H6953
Word #:
5 of 9
a (female) assembler (i.e., lecturer); abstractly, preaching (used as a 'nom de plume', koheleth)
Historical Context
This methodology reflects ancient wisdom tradition's empirical approach—observation, testing, reasoning from evidence. Unlike speculative Greek philosophy, Hebrew wisdom emphasized learning from concrete experience and documented observation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Qoheleth's 'one by one' method model careful investigation versus hasty judgment?
- In what areas of understanding might you benefit from more systematic observation before drawing conclusions?
- How do you balance inductive learning from experience with deductive application of revealed Scripture?
Analysis & Commentary
Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher (רְאֵה זֶה מָצָאתִי אָמְרָה קֹהֶלֶת, re'eh zeh matsati amrah qohelet)—'See, this I have found, says Qohelet.' The verb matsati (I have found) contrasts with verse 24's 'who can find it?'—some things can be discovered through diligent search. Counting one by one, to find out the account (אַחַת לְאַחַת לִמְצֹא חֶשְׁבּוֹן, achat le'achat limtso cheshbon)—literally 'one to one to find the reckoning,' suggesting painstaking, methodical analysis.
Qoheleth emphasizes his empirical method: achat le'achat (one by one) indicates systematic observation rather than hasty generalization. The term cheshbon (reckoning, account, sum) suggests he's seeking patterns or principles from accumulated data. This is inductive reasoning—examining individual cases to derive general conclusions. The phrase 'saith the preacher' (amrah qohelet) provides authorial emphasis, marking this as considered judgment, not casual opinion. What follows in verses 28-29 are his sobering findings from this methodical investigation of human nature and behavior.