Ecclesiastes 8:16 Meaning and Explanation
“When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes:)”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The Preacher devoted himself to understanding wisdom and all the restless activity of the world, including those who never sleep for their toil.
What Does Ecclesiastes 8:16 Mean?
The Preacher describes his wholehearted pursuit of understanding. He set his heart to grasp wisdom and to observe the ceaseless business that fills human life, even noting those so consumed by work that sleep escapes them day and night.
His search is earnest and exhausting, mirroring the very restlessness he studies. There is a gentle caution here in the picture of sleepless striving. Wisdom finally teaches that not everything can be mastered by effort, and that rest, like joy, is a gift to be received rather than seized.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ecclesiastes 8:16
What does Ecclesiastes 8:16 mean?
The Preacher devoted himself to understanding wisdom and all the restless activity of the world, including those who never sleep for their toil.