Ecclesiastes 1:18 kjv

For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

Ecclesiastes 1:18 nkjv

For in much wisdom is much grief, And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

Ecclesiastes 1:18 niv

For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.

Ecclesiastes 1:18 esv

For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

Ecclesiastes 1:18 nlt

The greater my wisdom, the greater my grief.
To increase knowledge only increases sorrow.

Ecclesiastes 1 verses

Ecclesiastes 1 18 Meaning

Ecclesiastes 1:18 conveys a profound and counter-intuitive truth: the more one acquires wisdom and knowledge concerning the complexities of life "under the sun" (human experience apart from God's direct revelation), the greater one's vexation, sorrow, and suffering. The Preacher (Qoheleth) asserts that deeper understanding of the world's futility, injustice, and fleeting nature, far from bringing satisfaction, only increases inner pain and disappointment.

Ecclesiastes 1 18 Context

Ecclesiastes 1:18 concludes the Preacher's initial inquiry into the value of wisdom and knowledge as a means to understand the purpose of life "under the sun" (Ecc 1:13-17). After asserting in verse 16 that he has surpassed all previous rulers in Jerusalem in wisdom, and in verse 17 that he dedicated himself to comprehending both wisdom and folly, he arrives at the disappointing conclusion of verse 18. This verse summarizes his experiential findings that extensive intellectual pursuit, divorced from a divine perspective, does not yield satisfaction but rather increases mental and emotional burden. It sets the stage for the rest of his quest, as he turns from intellectual pursuits to material wealth, pleasure, and other endeavors in subsequent chapters, all to find them equally vain. The historical context implies a king (traditionally Solomon) speaking from a position of ultimate human achievement and opportunity, making his lamentations all the more powerful as a statement on the limitations of earthly endeavors.

Ecclesiastes 1 18 Word analysis

• For (Kî - כִּי): Connects this verse as the reason or explanation for the Preacher's previous statements about seeking and observing wisdom. It introduces a fundamental observation derived from his experience.
• in much (berov - בְּרֹב): Signifies "in an abundance," "in a great quantity." It's not about superficial understanding but deep, comprehensive accumulation.
• wisdom (chokmah - חָכְמָה): Refers to the practical application of knowledge, insight, discernment, and skill in life's affairs. In Ecclesiastes, it primarily represents human-acquired intellect and sagacity used to comprehend existence and its meaning, distinct from divine wisdom. It embodies the human striving to solve life's riddles.
• is much (rov - רֹב): Repeats the idea of "abundance" or "great quantity," emphasizing a proportional increase.
• grief (ka'as - כַּעַס): Can mean vexation, indignation, anger, sorrow, frustration, or irritation. Here, it denotes deep emotional distress and annoyance stemming from disappointment or futile effort. It's a restless internal state of unhappiness arising from understanding the world's inherent brokenness and unchangeable reality.
• and he that increaseth (ve·yo·siph - וְיוֹסִיף): Literally "and adding." It implies a continuous, deliberate process of accumulation, an active seeking after.
• knowledge (da'ath - דַּעַת): Refers to acquired information, understanding of facts, awareness. While chokmah (wisdom) is broader and includes application, da'ath focuses on the cognitive accumulation of insights. It often pertains to direct acquaintance with truth, albeit through human intellect.
• increaseth (yo·siph - יוֹסִיף): Same word as before, reinforcing the idea of augmentation or intensification.
• sorrow (makh'ov - מַכְאוֹב): Implies pain, anguish, or physical/emotional suffering. It suggests a more profound and physical manifestation of distress compared to ka'as, directly signifying an ache or affliction, often one caused by others or difficult circumstances.

Words-group analysis

• "For in much wisdom is much grief": This phrase sets up the primary equation: a direct correlation between the acquisition of significant human wisdom and the experience of deep, abundant emotional distress. It's a striking reversal of the commonly held belief that wisdom brings contentment.
• "and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow": This second, parallel phrase reinforces and elaborates on the first. By using "knowledge" and "sorrow," it slightly reframes the statement, emphasizing the ongoing nature of learning and the intensifying pain that accompanies a deeper grasp of life's painful realities. The parallelism provides a strong rhetorical emphasis on the inescapable connection between intensified understanding and intensified suffering "under the sun."

Ecclesiastes 1 18 Bonus section

The paradox presented in Ecclesiastes 1:18 serves as a polemic against the then-common belief that wisdom and knowledge inherently lead to happiness and control over one's circumstances. Qoheleth directly challenges the notion that increased intellectual prowess is unequivocally good or always brings desirable outcomes. This specific form of suffering is distinct; it is not merely the pain of ignorance but the pain that comes from knowing too much without the redemptive framework that faith provides. The Preacher's sorrow is intellectual and existential, derived from the grim clarity of understanding the unchangeable cycles of life, death, and human folly, particularly in a world where God's ultimate plan is not always immediately apparent or understood. This sets the stage for his eventual conclusion: that fearing God and keeping His commandments is the only true pursuit (Ecc 12:13), implying that a truly fulfilling wisdom comes from a relationship with God, not just intellectual endeavor.

Ecclesiastes 1 18 Commentary

Ecclesiastes 1:18 encapsulates a core theme of Qoheleth’s intellectual journey: that human wisdom, when pursued as an ultimate end or as the sole means to comprehend meaning in a fallen world, ultimately leads to more distress rather than less. The Preacher, having delved deeply into the mechanisms and patterns of life, found that such knowledge only magnified the problems of injustice, vanity, and the fleeting nature of all things "under the sun." The more one sees the world clearly through human intellect, the more one is confronted with its insoluble enigmas, inevitable disappointments, and ultimate futility, thereby increasing frustration and pain. This isn't a dismissal of wisdom itself (Prov 2:6), but of wisdom that operates purely on a human plane, unable to access divine purpose or offer lasting solutions. It highlights the profound inadequacy of human reason to overcome the existential angst born from observing life's brokenness. This lament points to the need for a higher, spiritual wisdom—a wisdom centered on God—which alone can provide perspective and peace amid life's hardships, contrasting with the anguish of worldly knowledge.