Ecclesiastes 1:14

"I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under the sky. It is a heavy burden that God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with."

Key Reflection

Ecclesiastes 1:14 reveals King Solomon's profound search for meaning and wisdom in his observations of the world around him. For a king who had access to vast resources, this verse highlights that even he found the quest for understanding the complexities of life under the sun to be a daunting task—a burden that God has placed upon humanity. This burden underscores the inherent difficulty and futility that Solomon perceives in trying to make sense of the world, reflecting both his wisdom and his recognition of human limitations in grasping divine purposes.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Vexation of spirit -A phrase which occurs 7 times, and may be otherwise translated, “feeding on wind.” Modern Hebrew grammarians assert that the word rendered “vexation” must be derived from a root signifying “to feed,” “follow,” “strive after.” This being admitted, it remains to choose between two translations: (1) “striving after wind,” or “windy effort;” adopted by the Septuagint and the majority of modern interpreters; or (2) feeding on wind. CompareHosea 12:1: and similar phrases inProverbs 15:14;Isaiah 44:20;Psalms 37:3.

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