Bible Strands
Ecclesiastes 7:24
What exists is out of reach and very deep. Who can fathom it?
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The preacher addresses readers while reflecting on his failed attempt to grasp wisdom through his own efforts. He speaks at a moment of realization that human investigation cannot fully comprehend what exists.
The words — The Hebrew term רָח֖וֹק (raChok) literally means "far away," paired with עָמֹ֖ק ('aMok), meaning "deep," to describe reality as both distant and unfathomable. The rhetorical question מִ֥י (mi) "who?" followed by יִמְצָאֶֽ/נּוּ (yim.tza.'E./nu) "will he find it out?" underscores human inability to comprehend existence.
The thread — This theme of divine unknowability echoes in Romans 11:33, Isaiah 55:8, and 1 Timothy 6:16, where God's judgments, thoughts, and dwelling place are described as unsearchable or unapproachable. The parallel passages extend the concept from created reality to the Creator's nature.
Why it lands — The verse demands acknowledgment of human cognitive limits when confronting the nature of existence. It requires readers to abandon the presumption that wisdom can be fully mastered by personal effort.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?
Cross-references
- Romans 11:33 O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways!
- Isaiah 55:8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.
- 1 Timothy 6:16 He alone is immortal and dwells in unapproachable light. No one has ever seen Him, nor can anyone see Him. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.
- Job 28:28 And He said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”
- Psalms 139:6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
- Job 11:7 Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty?
- Job 28:12 But where can wisdom be found, and where does understanding dwell?
- Psalms 36:6 Your righteousness is like the highest mountains; Your judgments are like the deepest sea. O LORD, You preserve man and beast.
- Deuteronomy 30:11 For this commandment I give you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach.