Ecclesiastes 7:13 Meaning and Explanation
“Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Look closely at what God has done, for no one can straighten what He has chosen to bend.
What Does Ecclesiastes 7:13 Mean?
The Preacher turns from human wisdom to divine providence, urging the reader to 'consider' — to look hard at — the work of God. The crooked-and-straight image recalls an earlier theme: there are things in life we cannot fix by our own effort.
Some of what bends our paths comes from God's own ordering of the world, and railing against it is futile. This is not despair but humility: we are creatures, not the Maker. The wise response is to trust the hand that shapes our days, knowing that even what seems crooked to us lies within the purpose of One who works all things well.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ecclesiastes 7:13
What does Ecclesiastes 7:13 mean?
Look closely at what God has done, for no one can straighten what He has chosen to bend.