King James Version

What Does Ecclesiastes 7:25 Mean?

Ecclesiastes 7:25 in the King James Version says “I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickednes...” — study this verse from Ecclesiastes chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness: I applied: Heb. I and mine heart compassed”

Ecclesiastes 7:25 · KJV

Wisdom

Context

23

All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.

24

That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?

25

I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness: I applied: Heb. I and mine heart compassed

26

And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her. whoso: Heb. he that is good before God

27

Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account: counting: or, weighing one thing after another, to find out the reason

Read Ecclesiastes 7 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom (סַבּוֹתִי אֲנִי וְלִבִּי לָדַעַת וְלָתוּר וּבַקֵּשׁ חָכְמָה וְחֶשְׁבּוֹן, sabboti ani velibbi lada'at velatur uvaqesh chokhmah vecheshbon)—three verbs intensify the search: lada'at (to know), latur (to explore/investigate), uvaqesh (to seek). The term cheshbon means 'reckoning' or 'reason.' And to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness (וְלָדַעַת רֶשַׁע כֶּסֶל וְהַסִּכְלוּת הוֹלֵלוֹת, velada'at resha kesel vehasiklut holelot)—recognizing evil (resha), folly (kesel), foolishness (siklut), and madness (holelot).

Despite wisdom's elusiveness (verses 23-24), Qoheleth persisted in rigorous investigation—he 'turned' (sabboti, suggesting comprehensive examination from every angle) both himself and his heart toward the quest. The pairing chokhmah vecheshbon (wisdom and reason/accounting) indicates systematic analysis. But notably, his search included understanding resha kesel (the wickedness of folly)—recognizing evil requires intentional study, not just naive assumptions. The progression from kesel (folly) to siklut (foolishness) to holelot (madness) traces sin's degenerative path. Romans 1:21-22 describes identical progression: 'claiming to be wise, they became fools.'

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Historical & Cultural Context

Solomon's comprehensive investigations (1 Kings 4:32-34) included natural sciences, poetry, proverbs, and moral philosophy—arguably history's most ambitious intellectual project. Yet even this couldn't produce absolute wisdom.

Reflection Questions

  1. How seriously are you engaged in the pursuit of wisdom versus passively accepting cultural assumptions?
  2. What does it mean to intentionally study 'the wickedness of folly'—understanding evil without participating in it?
  3. How can you balance rigorous intellectual pursuit with humble recognition of wisdom's limits?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
סַבּ֨וֹתִֽי1 of 13

“I applied”

H5437

to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively

אֲנִ֤י2 of 13
H589

i

וְלִבִּי֙3 of 13

“mine heart”

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

וְלָדַ֙עַת֙4 of 13

“of things and to know”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

וְלָת֔וּר5 of 13

“and to search”

H8446

to meander (causatively, guide) about, especially for trade or reconnoitring

וּבַקֵּ֥שׁ6 of 13

“and to seek out”

H1245

to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after

חָכְמָ֖ה7 of 13

“wisdom”

H2451

wisdom (in a good sense)

וְחֶשְׁבּ֑וֹן8 of 13

“and the reason”

H2808

properly, contrivance; by implication, intelligence

וְלָדַ֙עַת֙9 of 13

“of things and to know”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

רֶ֣שַׁע10 of 13

“the wickedness”

H7562

a wrong (especially moral)

כֶּ֔סֶל11 of 13

“of folly”

H3689

properly, fatness, i.e., by implication (literally) the loin (as the seat of the leaf fat) or (generally) the viscera; also (figuratively) silliness o

וְהַסִּכְל֖וּת12 of 13

“even of foolishness”

H5531

silliness

הוֹלֵלֽוֹת׃13 of 13

“and madness”

H1947

folly

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ecclesiastes. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ecclesiastes 7:25 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ecclesiastes 7:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ecclesiastes 10:13Joshua 7:13Ecclesiastes 3:16-17Ecclesiastes 2:12Ecclesiastes 1:13-17Ecclesiastes 2:1-3

Test Your Knowledge

Ecclesiastes 7 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterEcclesiastes Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

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