Ecclesiastes 7 29

Ecclesiastes 7:29 kjv

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

Ecclesiastes 7:29 nkjv

Truly, this only I have found: That God made man upright, But they have sought out many schemes."

Ecclesiastes 7:29 niv

This only have I found: God created mankind upright, but they have gone in search of many schemes."

Ecclesiastes 7:29 esv

See, this alone I found, that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes.

Ecclesiastes 7:29 nlt

But I did find this: God created people to be virtuous, but they have each turned to follow their own downward path."

Ecclesiastes 7 verses

Ecclesiastes 7 29 Meaning

This verse declares a fundamental theological truth discovered by Qoheleth (the Teacher or Preacher) through his extensive quest for wisdom and understanding of humanity: God originally created mankind upright and morally perfect. However, humanity actively and deliberately pursued intricate and numerous self-devised plans, schemes, and contrivances, leading to corruption and complexity that deviated from God's pure design. It identifies the origin of human sin not in divine creation but in human choice and innovation.

Ecclesiastes 7 29 Context

Ecclesiastes 7:29 forms a pivotal conclusion to the Teacher's (Qoheleth's) deep and often perplexing philosophical investigation into the nature of wisdom, righteousness, and the human condition "under the sun." In the verses immediately preceding (7:23-28), he describes his exhaustive search to find ultimate wisdom and his rigorous examination of human character, specifically lamenting his inability to find a truly righteous person, or indeed, not one among a thousand. After grappling with the enigmatic reality of human folly and depravity, Qoheleth arrives at this singular, profound theological realization. This verse shifts from empirical observation of human failure to the root theological explanation for it, providing the foundation for the pervasive "vanity" or futility observed throughout the book. Historically and culturally, it addresses a common human tendency to blame external forces or God for intrinsic evil, positing instead that corruption stems from within humanity's own choices. It offers a counter-narrative to deterministic views or the notion that humanity's state is inherently flawed from creation, asserting divine innocence and human responsibility.

Ecclesiastes 7 29 Word analysis

• See (רְאֵה - re'eh): An imperative verb, "Behold!" or "Look!" It serves as an exclamation to draw the reader's immediate attention to a crucial, hard-won, and definitive discovery or insight. It underscores the certainty and importance of the statement that follows, emphasizing that this is a core truth arrived at after rigorous intellectual pursuit.
• this alone (לְבַדּוֹ - l'vaddo): This adverb emphasizes singularity and uniqueness. Out of all the myriad findings and complexities Qoheleth unearthed, this specific conclusion stands out as the fundamental, unchanging truth that explains the human condition. It points to a singular, distilled essence after sifting through much superficiality or misleading data.
• I found (מָצָאתִי - matzati): A first-person perfect verb, signifying a personal discovery resulting from Qoheleth's extensive inquiry and arduous mental effort. This isn't merely inherited knowledge or an assumption, but a truth uncovered through direct observation and experience, reinforcing its weight and reliability within the narrative of Ecclesiastes.
• that God (הָאֱלֹהִים - ha'Elohim): Refers to the singular, transcendent Creator God, the sovereign being responsible for creation. This immediately places the verse in a theological framework, attributing the origin of humanity's initial state to the divine. It stresses the theological explanation rather than a purely philosophical or humanistic one.
• made (עָשָׂה - 'asah): A verb signifying "to make," "to create," "to do." Here, it points to God's direct act of forming humanity. It implies an intentional and deliberate design, setting the stage for humanity's initial upright state as divinely ordained.
• mankind (הָאָדָם - ha'adam): This term refers to humanity collectively, encompassing both male and female, representing the entirety of the human race. It stresses that the initial upright state was true for all human beings as they were brought into existence.
• upright (יָשָׁר - yashar): This adjective means "straight," "right," "just," "moral," "in accord with the divine will." It describes the original, pristine, unblemished moral and spiritual condition of humanity as created by God, perfectly aligned with His intentions. This denotes innocence, moral rectitude, and lack of perversity.
• but (וְהֵמָּה - vehemma): This strong conjunction indicates a stark contrast or antithesis. It highlights the dramatic shift from humanity's created state to their self-determined deviation. The following clause directly opposes the initial divine action.
• they have sought out (בִּקְשׁוּ - biqshu): A verb implying a deliberate, active, and purposeful pursuit or search. This is not something that passively happened to humanity but a result of their own volitional choice and intellectual effort. It suggests ingenuity directed toward a path distinct from God's design.
• many (רַבּוֹת - rabbot): This adjective means "numerous," "abundant," "multiplied." It underscores the multiplicity and variety of human deviations. It suggests an extensive range of inventions or ways that humanity diverged from simplicity and righteousness.
• schemes / contrivances / devices (חִשְּׁבֹנוֹת - khishbonot): This key noun refers to "calculations," "inventions," "devices," "intricate plans," or "complex designs." While it can be neutral or even positive in some contexts (e.g., skill), here, especially in contrast to God's "upright" making, it carries a negative connotation of human ingenuity misdirected towards complex, often sinful, and self-serving artifices. These "schemes" represent deviations from straightforward righteousness, embodying the fallen human intellect's capacity to create complex forms of sin and rebellion against God's simple, perfect way. They signify human striving to establish their own wisdom, apart from or in opposition to divine truth.

Words-group analysis

• See, this alone I found: This opening phrase highlights Qoheleth's methodical and comprehensive search, culminating in a single, profound truth. It indicates the unique importance of the conclusion he has drawn from all his observation and study, emphasizing its certainty and exclusivity.
• that God made mankind upright: This establishes humanity's pristine original state as directly attributable to divine creation. It asserts God's moral perfection in His creative act, negating any notion that humanity was inherently flawed or sinful from the outset. This serves as a foundational theological statement for the origin of evil.
• but they have sought out many schemes: This powerfully contrasts humanity's initial state with its subsequent condition, placing the responsibility squarely on human agency. The shift from "God made" to "they have sought out" signifies a conscious and active turning away. The "many schemes" symbolize the complexities, inventions, and endless ways humanity deviates from divine simplicity and truth into sin and corruption through their own ingenuity and desires.

Ecclesiastes 7 29 Bonus section

This verse offers a crucial theological pivot point in Ecclesiastes. While the book often emphasizes the "vanity" or futility of life "under the sun" and humanity's inherent limitations, verse 7:29 provides the reason why things are so broken. It's not a divine defect but a human deviation. It connects to the Old Testament concept of humanity's fall from grace (as detailed in Gen 3), emphasizing that the pervasive moral decay Qoheleth observes is a result of self-inflicted wounds, not a consequence of God's initial intention for creation. This stands in direct contrast to pagan cosmologies or dualistic philosophies that might posit inherent evil in matter or that humanity was created imperfect. Qoheleth's finding serves as a vindication of God's character and attributes. His thorough search underscores that even for the most acute observer, the deep truth of human depravity's origin rests on human choice and ingenuity for self-destruction rather than God's design.

Ecclesiastes 7 29 Commentary

Ecclesiastes 7:29 delivers Qoheleth's most profound theological insight regarding the human condition, resolving much of the existential perplexity that characterizes his exploration. It is a clear declaration of the doctrine of the fall, asserting that God's original creation of mankind was fundamentally good and righteous, aligned perfectly with His holy will. Humanity was made simple, straightforward, and morally upright (yashar). The problem of pervasive human folly and wickedness, so keenly observed by Qoheleth throughout his philosophical quest, is not attributed to a flaw in God's creation or design. Instead, the blame is squarely placed on humanity itself. Humans, through their own deliberate will and innovative capacity, have "sought out" (biqshu) or invented "many schemes" (khishbonot). These schemes represent complex, devious, and often self-serving plans, intricate rationalizations for sin, and an endless array of self-contrived deviations from the simple, good path God intended. It signifies human cleverness employed for corruption, where creativity becomes a means for fabricating wrongdoing rather than glorifying God. The verse offers hope in retrospect, reminding that our original design was good, implying a potential for restoration to that created uprightness through divine intervention and grace, such as offered in the New Covenant where the heart of stone is replaced by a heart of flesh, or putting on the new self in Christ. Practically, it means humanity is responsible for its own sin, not a victim of a flawed design, calling for accountability and the humility to abandon self-made complexities for God's simpler, righteous ways.