Ecclesiastes 1:17 Meaning and Explanation
“And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The Preacher pursues both wisdom and its opposite, only to find that this study too is like chasing the wind.
What Does Ecclesiastes 1:17 Mean?
The Preacher broadens his experiment. He set his heart not only to grasp wisdom but also to understand madness and folly, examining life from every side, the heights of insight and the depths of foolishness alike. He left no avenue untried.
His finding is the same as before: even this comprehensive study proves to be a chasing after wind. Knowing more, including knowing the worst, does not by itself bring peace. The verse keeps clearing away false hopes so that the reader will stop seeking rest where it cannot be found and turn at last toward the God in whom alone the restless heart is stilled.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ecclesiastes 1:17
What does Ecclesiastes 1:17 mean?
The Preacher pursues both wisdom and its opposite, only to find that this study too is like chasing the wind.