Ecclesiastes 7:29

Authorized King James Version

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Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.

Original Language Analysis

לְבַד֙ this only H905
לְבַד֙ this only
Strong's: H905
Word #: 1 of 14
properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit
רְאֵה Lo H7200
רְאֵה Lo
Strong's: H7200
Word #: 2 of 14
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
זֶ֣ה H2088
זֶ֣ה
Strong's: H2088
Word #: 3 of 14
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
מָצָ֔אתִי have I found H4672
מָצָ֔אתִי have I found
Strong's: H4672
Word #: 4 of 14
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
אֲשֶׁ֨ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 5 of 14
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עָשָׂ֧ה hath made H6213
עָשָׂ֧ה hath made
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 6 of 14
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
הָאֱלֹהִ֛ים that God H430
הָאֱלֹהִ֛ים that God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 7 of 14
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
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 8 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָאָדָ֖ם man H120
הָאָדָ֖ם man
Strong's: H120
Word #: 9 of 14
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
יָשָׁ֑ר upright H3477
יָשָׁ֑ר upright
Strong's: H3477
Word #: 10 of 14
straight (literally or figuratively)
וְהֵ֥מָּה H1992
וְהֵ֥מָּה
Strong's: H1992
Word #: 11 of 14
they (only used when emphatic)
בִקְשׁ֖וּ but they have sought out H1245
בִקְשׁ֖וּ but they have sought out
Strong's: H1245
Word #: 12 of 14
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
חִשְּׁבֹנ֥וֹת inventions H2810
חִשְּׁבֹנ֥וֹת inventions
Strong's: H2810
Word #: 13 of 14
a contrivance, i.e., actual (a warlike machine) or mental (a machination)
רַבִּֽים׃ many H7227
רַבִּֽים׃ many
Strong's: H7227
Word #: 14 of 14
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

Analysis & Commentary

Lo, this only have I found (לְבַד רְאֵה־זֶה מָצָאתִי, levad re'eh-zeh matsati)—'Only, see this I have found,' using levad (only/alone) to emphasize this is the single clear conclusion. That God hath made man upright (אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה הָאֱלֹהִים אֶת־הָאָדָם יָשָׁר, asher asah ha'elohim et-ha'adam yashar)—'that God made humanity upright/straight.' But they have sought out many inventions (וְהֵמָּה בִקְשׁוּ חִשְּׁבֹנוֹת רַבִּים, vehemmah biqshu chishbonot rabbim)—'but they have sought many schemes/devices.'

This verse provides the theological foundation for everything preceding: God created ha'adam (humanity—both male and female, Genesis 1:27) yashar (upright, straight, morally integrated). The problem isn't divine design but human rebellion—biqshu (they have sought) indicates active choice toward chishbonot rabbim (many schemes/inventions), using the same term cheshbon from verse 25. Humanity traded God's straight path for convoluted 'inventions.' This echoes Genesis 3—the Fall from original righteousness. Romans 5:12 explains: 'Sin came into the world through one man.' The rarity of finding righteous people (v. 28) stems not from creation but corruption. Yet redemption restores yashar: 'If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation' (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Historical Context

This reflects Genesis 1-3 theology: humanity created in God's image (upright) but fallen through disobedience (seeking inventions). The Hebrew yashar appears throughout Scripture describing righteous living versus ish yashar be'einav ('everyone did what was right in his own eyes,' Judges 21:25).

Questions for Reflection