Ecclesiastes 8:7 kjv
For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?
Ecclesiastes 8:7 nkjv
For he does not know what will happen; So who can tell him when it will occur?
Ecclesiastes 8:7 niv
Since no one knows the future, who can tell someone else what is to come?
Ecclesiastes 8:7 esv
For he does not know what is to be, for who can tell him how it will be?
Ecclesiastes 8:7 nlt
Indeed, how can people avoid what they don't know is going to happen?
Ecclesiastes 8 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Eccl. 8:7 | "If the clouds fill with rain, they empty themselves on the earth, and if a tree falls north or south, wherever the tree falls, there it lies." | Nature's predictable cycles |
| Ps. 39:6 | "Man walks about as a phantom; he bustles about in vain; he heaps up wealth, but does not know who will gather it." | Futility of human toil |
| Eccl. 9:5 | "For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing..." | Uncertainty of the afterlife |
| Eccl. 10:2 | "The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left." | Folly vs. wisdom |
| Prov. 16:33 | "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD." | Divine sovereignty |
| Isa. 46:10 | "declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’" | God's foreknowledge & plan |
| Rom. 11:34 | "For who has understood the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?" | Unfathomable wisdom of God |
| 1 Cor. 2:11 | "who among men knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man that is in him? Even so the things of God no one knows except the Spirit of God." | God's hidden knowledge |
| Eph. 1:11 | "...in whom we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will," | God's purposeful work |
| Jer. 29:11 | "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." | God's good plans |
| Ps. 73:16-17 | "But when I thought to understand this, it was too painful for me until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end." | Limited human understanding |
| Job 38:1-11 | God questioning Job's understanding of creation. | Divine control over nature |
| Gen. 1:6-8 | Creation of the expanse (sky). | God's ordering of creation |
| Acts 17:28 | "...for in him we live and move and have our being..." | God's omnipresence |
| Gal. 6:7 | "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap." | Consequence of actions |
| Eccl. 3:1-15 | "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven..." | Appointed times for all things |
| 1 Pet. 4:10 | "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:" | Stewardship, not control |
| Rom. 8:28 | "We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." | God's overarching good |
| Heb. 12:1 | "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us," | God's set course for believers |
| Prov. 1:7 | "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction." | Fear of the Lord is key to knowing |
| John 13:7 | "Jesus answered him, 'What I am doing you do not now understand, but afterward you will understand.'" | Future understanding given by God |
Ecclesiastes 8 verses
Ecclesiastes 8 7 Meaning
The verse speaks about the futility of knowing the future. Even if someone could comprehend what will happen, they cannot control or change it. The ultimate outcome of human actions is predetermined and inescapable, beyond our present comprehension.
Ecclesiastes 8 7 Context
Ecclesiastes 8 is situated within a larger exploration of the nature of life under the sun. Solomon, the author, wrestles with the seeming irrationality and injustices of the world. This verse follows a section where he discusses the wisdom of obeying kings and keeping God's commandments, even when facing oppressive rulers. He posits that even kings cannot fully control the ultimate outcomes, leading into this statement about our inability to foresee or control the future. The chapter overall grapples with maintaining faith and proper conduct despite observable chaos and unpredictability in human affairs.
Ecclesiastes 8 7 Word Analysis
- Ko amar (as it is said): This phrase indicates a commonly held belief or observation. It introduces the verse as a reflection on human perception of the future.
- Ya'd (know): This refers to experiential or deeply understood knowledge, not just superficial awareness. It highlights the human desire to grasp and predict.
- mah yihyeh achareyav (what will be after him): This specifically points to the future consequences and outcomes following one's life or actions. It is the yearning to know what follows.
- Weshakal 'eth shahalow (and he shall consider his considering): This phrase is complex. It can mean to ponder or account for one's life, deeds, and the consequences thereof. The idea is even our reflection on the past and our attempts to strategize for the future are limited.
- Bal (not): A strong negation, emphasizing the absolute impossibility.
- La'ashowa (to return it / to undo it): Signifies any ability to change the course of events or recover something lost.
- Ya'ydaw (his hands/powers): Represents a person's ability to act, control, or influence. The verse states this power is insufficient.
- Wethoqef 'ad-wethoqeph (his strength to the end / power to power): This suggests our capabilities are finite. Even our greatest strengths are limited and cannot overcome the determined course of events.
- Hebrew grammar nuances: The structure implies a rhetorical question or a declarative statement about the inherent limitations of human foresight and control. The parallel imagery reinforces this inability.
- Tree falling analogy: The image of a tree falling describes a decisive, irreversible event. Once fallen, its position is fixed. This serves as a metaphor for the unchangeable nature of future events once they occur, or even the determined paths life takes.
- Clouds filling and emptying: This imagery emphasizes natural processes. Rain, once released from clouds, goes to the earth. The cycle is natural and inevitable, implying that determined outcomes, once set in motion, fulfill their purpose.
Ecclesiastes 8 7 Bonus Section
The verse's message resonates with a philosophical stance that emphasizes fatalism or determinism. However, within the biblical narrative, this fatalism is understood as God's ultimate sovereignty. The inability to know the future is a part of God's design, preventing arrogance and dependence on His perfect timing and plan. It directs our gaze from trying to master circumstances to trusting the Master of circumstances. The lack of control serves to highlight humanity's dependence on God and the importance of living by faith rather than by sight or predictive analytics.
Ecclesiastes 8 7 Commentary
This verse underscores a profound truth: human life is lived with inherent limitations, particularly concerning foreknowledge and control over future events. While wisdom allows us to understand patterns and make choices, we are ultimately unable to grasp the full trajectory of what lies ahead or to alter destiny once it is set. This is not a call to despair but to accept our place within God’s sovereign plan. Our energy is better spent focusing on faithful action in the present, trusting that God oversees all outcomes, rather than striving for an unattainable control or understanding of the future. True wisdom, as Ecclesiastes teaches, lies in fearing God and keeping His commandments, living out our days with purpose under His dominion.