Add parallel Print Page Options

Limitations of Human Wisdom

16 When I tried[a] to gain[b] wisdom
and to observe the activity[c] on earth—
even though it prevents anyone from sleeping day or night[d]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 8:16 tn Heb “I applied my heart.”
  2. Ecclesiastes 8:16 tn Heb “to know.”
  3. Ecclesiastes 8:16 tn Heb “and to see the business which is done.”
  4. Ecclesiastes 8:16 tn Heb “for no one sees sleep with their eyes either day or night.” The construction גַםכִּי (ki gam) expresses a concessive sense: “even though” (e.g., Ps 23:4; Prov 22:6; Eccl 4:14; Isa 1:15; Lam 3:8; Hos 8:10; 9:16); cf. HALOT 196 s.v. גַּם 9; BDB 169 s.v. גַּם 6; 473 s.v. כִּי 2.c.