That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?
That which is, is far off and exceeding deep; who can find it out?
Far off is that which hath been, and deep, deep, who doth find it?
Whatever hath been, is far off, and exceeding deep: who will find it out?
Ecclesiastes — Qohelet the Preacher — ''vanity of vanities, all is vanity.'' The book's relentless examination of life under the sun, resolving not in despair but in ''fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.''
The verses this one reaches12
How great are Your works, O LORD, how deep are Your thoughts!
As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the bones are formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.
O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways!
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.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
And He said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”
Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty?
But where can wisdom be found, and where does understanding dwell?
Your righteousness is like the highest mountains; Your judgments are like the deepest sea. O LORD, You preserve man and beast.
For this commandment I give you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach.
All things are wearisome, more than one can describe; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear content with hearing.
Voices3
Consider therefore how it is written in the book of Ecclesiastes, "I said, I will be wise, but it was far from me. That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who shall find it out?" [Consider] what is said in the Psalms, "The knowledge of you is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it." And Solomon says, "It is the glory of God to conceal a thing." [Therefore] I frequently designed to stop and to cease writing; believe me, I did.
Athanasius of Alexandria· LETTERS TO MONKS 1:2, 373patristic
That which is far off,.... Or, "far off is that which has been" (g).
John Gill· Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763)reformed
That which is far off - Though the wisdom that is essential to our salvation may be soon learned, through the teaching of the Spirit of wisdom, yet in wisdom itself there are extents and depths which none can reach or fathom.
Adam Clarke· Commentary on the Bible, 1832evangelical
The walk8
Follow this verse’s cross-references two steps out. Each card is a verse this one points to, and beneath it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several different paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first — the text keeps returning to it. Every stop shows its own words, and every stop is a page.
Through
Romans 11:33O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways!
leads to
Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty?
Reached by 2 independent paths from here.
the One who does great and unsearchable things, wonders without number.
Through
Job 28:28And He said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”
leads to
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts gain rich understanding. His praise endures forever!
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man.
Through
1 Timothy 6:16He 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.
leads to
Now to the King eternal, immortal, and invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
The whole web at once: see the Arc.
