Ecclesiastes 8:16
What does Ecclesiastes 8:16 mean?
A plain-English look at Ecclesiastes 8:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000When I applied my 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),
KJV
King James Version · 1611When 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:)
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901When I applied my 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),
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949When I gave my mind to the knowledge of wisdom and to seeing the business which is done on the earth (and there are those whose eyes see not sleep by day or by night),
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862When I gave my heart to know wisdom and to see the business that hath been done on the earth, (for there is also a spectator in whose eyes sleep is not by day and by night),
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to understand the distraction that is upon earth: for there are some that day and night take no sleep with their eyes.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890When I applied my 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),
Context
v.15Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be joyful: for that shall abide with him in his labor all the days of his life which God hath given him under the sun.
v.16This passage
v.17then I beheld all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because however much a man labor to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea moreover, though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ecclesiastes 8:7
for he knoweth not that which shall be; for who can tell him how it shall be?
- Ecclesiastes 1:13
And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven: it is a sore travail that God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised therewith.
- Ecclesiastes 7:25
I turned about, and my heart was set to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the reason of things, and to know that wickedness is folly, and that foolishness is madness.
- Psalms 127:2
It is vain for you to rise up early, To take rest late, To eat the bread of toil; Forso he giveth unto his beloved sleep.
- Ecclesiastes 8:9
All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man hath power over another to his hurt.
- Ecclesiastes 5:12
The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much; but the fulness of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Ecclesiastes 8
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Ecclesiastes 8.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Anger
The Bible addresses anger directly, offering wisdom on its destructive potential and how believers can manage it righteously.
Topic
Bible Verses About Community
The Bible emphasizes the importance of community as a reflection of God's design for humanity and a source of strength and growth
Topic
Bible Verses About Friendship
Explore how the Bible speaks about friendship, examining its importance, characteristics, and blessings in our lives.
What the Bible says about…