Ecclesiastes 2 14

Ecclesiastes 2:14 kjv

The wise man's eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all.

Ecclesiastes 2:14 nkjv

The wise man's eyes are in his head, But the fool walks in darkness. Yet I myself perceived That the same event happens to them all.

Ecclesiastes 2:14 niv

The wise have eyes in their heads, while the fool walks in the darkness; but I came to realize that the same fate overtakes them both.

Ecclesiastes 2:14 esv

The wise person has his eyes in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. And yet I perceived that the same event happens to all of them.

Ecclesiastes 2:14 nlt

For the wise can see where they are going, but fools walk in the dark." Yet I saw that the wise and the foolish share the same fate.

Ecclesiastes 2 verses

Ecclesiastes 2 14 Meaning

Ecclesiastes 2:14 states a fundamental paradox observed by the Preacher: a wise person navigates life with insight and foresight, discerning pitfalls and opportunities, much like someone who has eyes to see their path. In contrast, a fool blunders through life in ignorance and darkness, stumbling and making poor choices. Yet, despite this stark difference in their approaches and capabilities during life, the Preacher concludes with a poignant observation that "one event happens to them all" – signifying that both the wise and the foolish ultimately face the same earthly fate, primarily death. This realization contributes to the book's overarching theme of "vanity" or "meaninglessness" when life is viewed purely "under the sun" (from a human, temporal perspective).

Ecclesiastes 2 14 Context

Ecclesiastes 2:14 is situated within the Preacher's personal investigation into the meaning of life, which he pursues through various human endeavors "under the sun." In this chapter, he recounts his experiments with pleasure, wealth, labor, and wisdom itself, only to find them ultimately dissatisfying or "vanity" (hebel). Having explored the pursuit of pleasure and the accumulation of riches, he turns to wisdom and folly, comparing their utility. He initially affirms wisdom's superiority in practical life (vv. 12-14a), acknowledging that it offers clarity and guidance. However, the subsequent observation (v. 14b) that death nullifies these earthly distinctions between the wise and the foolish profoundly vexes him, leading him to despair (Ecc 2:17). This verse represents a key step in his intellectual and existential struggle, where he acknowledges the temporary advantages of wisdom but highlights its limitations in the face of universal mortality, an observation that directly challenges simplistic ideas of immediate divine retribution within life for wise and foolish alike.

Ecclesiastes 2 14 Word analysis

• The wise person: (Hebrew: חָכָם, chakham). Refers to an individual possessing practical discernment, skill, insight, and understanding. This wisdom enables clear perception and effective action, leading to favorable outcomes in daily life.
• has his eyes in his head: (Hebrew: עֵינָיו בְּרֹאשׁוֹ, ʿeināyw beraʾshô). Literally "his eyes are in his head." This is a metaphorical expression for insight, foresight, clear perception, and careful attention. A wise person sees the way clearly, anticipates consequences, and avoids danger, unlike someone who is blind or distracted. It signifies an awareness of surroundings and direction.
• but the fool: (Hebrew: כְּסִיל, kĕsîl). This term for "fool" denotes someone who is dull-witted, senseless, stupid, and lacks prudence or moral perception. Unlike a nabal (morally degenerate) or ʾěwîl (stubborn), the kesil is characterized by their inherent foolishness and lack of good judgment, leading them astray.
• walks in darkness: (Hebrew: בַּחֹשֶׁךְ יֵלֵךְ, bachoshekh yelekh). Refers to operating in ignorance, confusion, or spiritual blindness. This person lacks understanding, discernment, and proper guidance. They stumble, make poor choices, and live without purpose or clear direction, constantly exposed to peril.
• And yet I perceived that: Qoheleth's personal observation and deduction, based on his experience and reflection "under the sun." This marks a turning point in his argument where the positive observation about wisdom's practical benefits gives way to a painful, unsettling reality.
• one event: (Hebrew: מִקְרֶה אֶחָד, miqreh echad). Miqreh can denote an "occurrence," "accident," "fate," or "event." Here, "one event" refers to the shared and inevitable end that awaits all humanity, namely death. It implies a single, universal outcome that seemingly levels all human distinctions, nullifying the value of earthly wisdom.
• happens to them all: Emphasizes the universality and inescapable nature of this ultimate shared destiny, death. This observation highlights the profound vexation and apparent futility of human striving, including the pursuit of wisdom, from the limited "under the sun" viewpoint. It underlines the equalizer effect of mortality.

Ecclesiastes 2 14 Bonus section

The observation of "one event happens to them all" in Ecclesiastes 2:14 is specifically a temporal and earthly observation. It speaks to the perceived injustice or lack of ultimate distinction for good and bad under the sun, challenging a simplistic Deuteronomic theology of immediate retribution within life. The New Testament, particularly through the resurrection of Christ and the teaching of final judgment, profoundly reshapes this conclusion, showing that while death is universal, the eternal outcome is not the same for all (Rom 2:6; 2 Cor 5:10). The Preacher’s argument sets the stage for the book’s concluding resolution (Ecc 12:13-14), which affirms the enduring importance of fearing God and keeping His commandments, precisely because God will bring every deed into judgment. This implies that true justice and differentiation are not always seen "under the sun" but are administered by God beyond it.

Ecclesiastes 2 14 Commentary

Ecclesiastes 2:14 serves as a powerful illustration of the Preacher's central struggle. While acknowledging the undeniable practical benefits of wisdom – enabling a clear-sighted and purposeful journey through life compared to the haphazard stumbling of folly – he finds himself confronted by a devastating reality: death's indiscriminacy. From a purely temporal, "under the sun" perspective, the advantage wisdom offers during life appears to be ultimately nullified by the shared fate of mortality. The same "one event" awaits both the insightful sage and the blundering fool, leading to a profound sense of despair and the declaration of "vanity." This verse doesn't diminish wisdom's immediate utility but questions its ultimate, enduring value if the final destination is the same for all. It underscores the Preacher's initial inability to find ultimate meaning or lasting advantage in anything within human existence alone, preparing the reader for the eventual shift in perspective towards the fear of God. For instance, a wise person may invest prudently, live healthily, and build strong relationships, experiencing tangible benefits during their life. A fool might squander resources, neglect their health, and alienate others, leading to hardship. Yet, at life's end, both face the commonality of death.