Ecclesiastes 7 13

Ecclesiastes 7:13 kjv

Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?

Ecclesiastes 7:13 nkjv

Consider the work of God; For who can make straight what He has made crooked?

Ecclesiastes 7:13 niv

Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what he has made crooked?

Ecclesiastes 7:13 esv

Consider the work of God: who can make straight what he has made crooked?

Ecclesiastes 7:13 nlt

Accept the way God does things,
for who can straighten what he has made crooked?

Ecclesiastes 7 verses

Ecclesiastes 7 13 Meaning

Ecclesiastes 7:13 calls believers to observe and acknowledge the sovereign acts of God. It poses a rhetorical question, asserting that no human being possesses the power or wisdom to alter or straighten what God, in His infinite wisdom and sovereign decree, has deemed "crooked" or established in a certain way. This implies a humble acceptance of divine Providence, recognizing that circumstances and events, whether pleasant or challenging from a human perspective, are ultimately part of God's unchangeable plan and purpose, which we cannot fully comprehend or manipulate.

Ecclesiastes 7 13 Context

Ecclesiastes 7:13 is found within a section of Qoheleth's teachings that reflect on wisdom, righteousness, and the difficulties of life "under the sun." The immediate verses preceding it, specifically 7:11-12, extol the value of wisdom as a protection and a giver of life, distinguishing it from money. Verse 14 directly follows by encouraging balance in response to both good days (prosperous times) and bad days (adversity), stating that "God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him." Thus, verse 13 serves as a pivotal statement: in light of life's unpredictable and often perplexing events, it compels the reader to consider that these circumstances, including those that seem "crooked" or difficult, are orchestrated by God's sovereign hand, beyond human capacity to rectify or alter. The broader context of Ecclesiastes wrestles with life's apparent absurdities and the limitations of human control and understanding, ultimately pointing towards a reverent trust in God's inscrutable plan.

Ecclesiastes 7 13 Word analysis

• Consider (רְאֵה, re'eh):

  • This is an imperative verb from the Hebrew root ra'ah (ראה), meaning "to see," "to look," "to perceive," or "to consider."
  • It's a call to observe attentively, to reflect deeply, and to intellectually apprehend. It implies a command for careful, meditative contemplation rather than a casual glance.
  • Significance: It urges humanity to intentionally direct their focus from immediate circumstances to the divine orchestrator behind them.

• the work of God (מַעֲשֵׂה הָאֱלֹהִים, ma'aseh ha'Elohim):

  • Ma'aseh (מַעֲשֵׂה): Literally "deed," "work," "act," "doing." It refers to God's actions, His creations, His providential arrangements, and the events He brings about in the world.
  • Ha'Elohim (הָאֱלֹהִים): The definite article "the" combined with "God." Refers to God as the sovereign, creator, and judge, especially emphasizing His power and transcendence.
  • Significance: This phrase encompasses everything God has done and continues to do, from the order of creation to the specific turns of individual lives and historical events. It highlights divine agency as the ultimate cause of all that is.

• for who can (מִי יוּכַל, mi yukal):

  • Mi (מִי): "Who?" A rhetorical interrogative, anticipating a negative answer, meaning "no one."
  • Yukal (יוּכַל): "Can" or "is able." From the verb yakol (יָכֹל), meaning "to be able," "to overcome," "to prevail."
  • Significance: It emphatically asserts human powerlessness in the face of divine determination.

• make straight (לְתַקֵּן, leta qen):

  • The infinitive form of the verb taqan (תקן), meaning "to straighten," "to set right," "to mend," "to correct," "to restore."
  • Significance: It describes the act of bringing something into order, rectifying what is perceived as disordered or wrong from a human standpoint. This is precisely what humans attempt but fail at when confronting God's sovereign arrangement.

• what he has made crooked (אֵת אֲשֶׁר עִוְּתוֹ, et asher ivvto):

  • Et asher: "That which" or "what."
  • Ivvto (עִוְּתוֹ): From the verb avvat (עָוַת), meaning "to make crooked," "to bend," "to distort," "to pervert," "to make perversely." It carries the idea of something being made deviating from a desired path or form.
  • Significance: This refers to situations, events, or circumstances that, from a human perspective, might seem undesirable, challenging, difficult, or out of line with what one expects or wishes for. It does not imply moral wrongdoing on God's part but rather that His arrangement may appear "crooked" to our limited, finite understanding. God's ways are higher (Isa 55:8-9), and what He orders has a wise purpose, even if it deviates from our preferred "straight" path.

• Words-group analysis:

• "Consider the work of God": This phrase sets the directive for the reader. It moves beyond passive observation to active, thoughtful engagement with God's actions in the world. It’s an invitation to theological reflection.

• "who can make straight what he has made crooked?": This rhetorical question forms the core argument. It establishes an absolute boundary to human agency. Humans, despite their desires, efforts, or wisdom, cannot undo, modify, or correct the course of events or fundamental realities that God has already set in place. It's a statement of divine unalterable decree and human impotence to override it. It underscores humility and submission to the divine will, even when that will manifests in ways that seem "crooked" or contrary to human preference.

Ecclesiastes 7 13 Bonus section

This verse directly addresses the pervasive human tendency to attempt to control circumstances and correct perceived imperfections in life. It subtly challenges the self-sufficient perspective that believes every problem can be fixed or every path made smooth by human ingenuity. Qoheleth's wisdom, as demonstrated here, often leads to humility, revealing that ultimate control lies solely with the Creator. The "crookedness" in our lives, far from being a mistake, can serve as a potent tool in God's hands to develop our character, foster dependence on Him, and reveal deeper truths about His sovereign wisdom and goodness, even when we don't understand the specific "why." This understanding helps counter anxiety and promotes a peace that comes from surrendering to God's will.

Ecclesiastes 7 13 Commentary

Ecclesiastes 7:13 is a profound statement on divine sovereignty and human limitation. Qoheleth, through this verse, redirects our focus from our immediate struggles and frustrations "under the sun" to the ultimate orchestrator of all things: God. The call to "consider" is not a casual suggestion but an imperative to thoughtfully contemplate the breadth and depth of God's work. This includes not only the grand design of creation but also the specific, intricate details of individual lives, encompassing both joy and sorrow, success and struggle.

The latter part of the verse, "for who can make straight what he has made crooked?", powerfully reinforces the unalterable nature of God's decrees. The "crookedness" is not a flaw in God's character but rather refers to situations or outcomes that might not align with human expectations, desires, or sense of fairness. These could be adversity, injustices that go unpunished, the timing of events, or personal limitations. Qoheleth here teaches that such "crooked" circumstances are not haphazard but part of God's deliberate, sovereign arrangement, and are utterly beyond human ability to alter or correct. Our efforts to impose our will or our perceived "straightness" upon God's design are futile. This truth should cultivate humility, trust, and resignation to God's perfect plan, even when it appears perplexing or challenging to our limited understanding. It is a stark reminder that true wisdom lies in accepting divine Providence rather than fighting against it.

Examples:

• Facing a job loss: Instead of solely despairing or raging, the verse prompts us to consider that God may have "made this crooked" for a higher purpose (e.g., redirection to a different calling, character building).
• Experiencing physical ailment: While seeking medical help, acknowledging that one cannot "make straight" certain conditions if God has permitted them to continue for His own purposes, leading to deeper trust or acceptance.
• Encountering inexplicable injustice: Understanding that God allows it, and humans cannot rectify every wrong, fostering reliance on God's ultimate justice.