Ecclesiastes 8:7

Authorized King James Version

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For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?

Original Language Analysis

כִּֽי H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 1 of 11
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֵינֶ֥נּוּ H369
אֵינֶ֥נּוּ
Strong's: H369
Word #: 2 of 11
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
יֹדֵ֖עַ For he knoweth H3045
יֹדֵ֖עַ For he knoweth
Strong's: H3045
Word #: 3 of 11
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
מַה H4100
מַה
Strong's: H4100
Word #: 4 of 11
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
שֶּׁיִּֽהְיֶ֑ה H1961
שֶּׁיִּֽהְיֶ֑ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 5 of 11
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כִּ֚י H3588
כִּ֚י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 6 of 11
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר H834
כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 7 of 11
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִֽהְיֶ֔ה H1961
יִֽהְיֶ֔ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 8 of 11
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
מִ֖י H4310
מִ֖י
Strong's: H4310
Word #: 9 of 11
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
יַגִּ֥יד not that which shall be for who can tell H5046
יַגִּ֥יד not that which shall be for who can tell
Strong's: H5046
Word #: 10 of 11
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
לֽוֹ׃ H0
לֽוֹ׃
Strong's: H0
Word #: 11 of 11

Analysis & Commentary

For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be? This verse explains why human misery is great (v. 6): we cannot know the future. The double negation emphasizes absolute human ignorance regarding coming events. The Hebrew yada (יָדַע, to know) here means comprehensive understanding, which humans lack regarding mah-sheyihyeh (מַה־שֶּׁיִּהְיֶה, what shall be).

The rhetorical question 'who can tell him when it shall be?' underscores that no human counselor, prophet (apart from divine revelation), or wise person can provide this knowledge. We navigate life with profound uncertainty about future outcomes and timing. This doesn't counsel despair but humility—acknowledging our limitations should drive us to trust God who does know all future events perfectly (Isaiah 46:9-10). Jesus later commanded against anxious speculation about tomorrow (Matthew 6:34) and warned that even He did not know the day or hour of His return (Mark 13:32). Wisdom means trusting God's knowledge rather than claiming our own. James warned against presumptuous planning: 'You do not know what tomorrow will bring' (James 4:14).

Historical Context

Ancient cultures extensively practiced divination to discern the future—reading omens, consulting oracles, interpreting dreams. Mesopotamian priests studied sheep livers; Greek oracles at Delphi gave cryptic prophecies; Egyptian priests consulted various signs. Ecclesiastes rejects such practices as unable to provide genuine knowledge. Only God knows the future comprehensively. Israel's prophets received revelation but only what God chose to disclose. The verse's realism countered both pagan divination and false prophets claiming unauthorized knowledge. True wisdom acknowledges ignorance and trusts divine sovereignty. The Reformers emphasized this against medieval superstitions—humans cannot peer into God's secret will but must trust His revealed will in Scripture.

Questions for Reflection