Definition: Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek [it] out, yet he shall not find [it]; yea further; though a wise [man] think to know [it], yet shall he not be able to find [it].

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ecclesiastes 8:17. It's a really interesting and slightly philosophical passage about the limitations of human understanding when it comes to grasping God’s plan. Here’s a simplified explanation: The Core Idea: This verse is saying that we can try to understand God’s ways – we can study, think deeply, and even try to be wise – but ultimately, we're not going to fully grasp everything He does. It’s like trying to catch smoke. Let’s break it down word by word: “Then I beheld all the work of God…” - This is a general statement about observing and understanding God's actions. “…that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun…” – This means that even when we look at the world around us – the things happening on Earth – we can’t fully understand how God works. We can see the results, but not the process itself. “Because though a man labour to seek [it] out, yet he shall not find [it]…” - This is where it gets deeper. It means that even when we dedicate our time and energy trying to understand God’s work, we still won't be able to fully grasp what He's doing. It’s like putting your hand in a dark room – you can try to feel something, but you won’t know exactly what it is. “Yea; further; though a wise [man] think to know [it], yet shall he not be able to find [it].” - This reinforces the point. A wise person tries to understand God's plan, they think about it, and they attempt to figure out how it works. But ultimately, their knowledge is limited – it can’t fully encompass everything. In simpler terms: It suggests that while we can learn a lot about the world and our place in it through observation and reason, there are some things God does that are beyond our understanding. It's a reminder of humility - that we don't have all the answers. What does this mean for us? This verse encourages us to: Trust in God: It’s a call to rely on God’s plan and wisdom, rather than trying to find all the answers ourselves. Be grateful: It highlights that we should appreciate the things God has created, even if we can't fully understand them. Does this mean we shouldn't try? Not necessarily! It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t learn or strive for understanding. It means to approach our pursuit of knowledge with a healthy dose of humility and recognize that there are things beyond our grasp. --- Would you like me to: Explain this verse in more detail, perhaps using an analogy? Discuss the context of the verse (where it appears in the Bible)?