What Does Ecclesiastes 8:17 Mean?

“Then I beheld”

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

“all the work”

an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property

“of God”

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

“cannot”

to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)

“a man”

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

“find out”

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

“all the work”

an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property

“because”

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

“that is done”

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

“under the sun”

the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement

“though”

on account of, whatsoever, whichsoever

“because”

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

“labour”

to toil, i.e., work severely and with irksomeness

“a man”

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

“to seek it out”

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

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

“find out”

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

“man think”

to say (used with great latitude)

“it yea further though a wise”

wise, (i.e., intelligent, skilful or artful)

“to know”

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

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

“cannot”

to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)

“find out”

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present