Definition: For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this incredibly profound and poetic verse from Ecclesiastes 8:7. It's a really beautiful way of saying something about the nature of time and our understanding of God’s plan. Here’s my explanation in simpler terms: The Core Idea: This verse speaks to the limitations of human understanding when it comes to knowing exactly what God has in mind for the future. It's a bit philosophical, but really about how we can't fully grasp things that are beyond our immediate experience. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “For he knoweth not that which shall be…” – This means “He doesn’t know what will happen.” It’s a gentle way of saying God knows the ultimate outcome, but he doesn't have complete foresight. Think of it like this: He has a vision of the future, but it's always unfolding and changing. “…for who can tell him when it shall be?” – This is the big question. It’s asking if we can ever truly know when something will happen. We can make predictions, plan for things, but there's always an element of uncertainty. It’s a reminder that our plans and expectations are only glimpses of what might be. So, What Does it Mean? The verse is suggesting that our human minds are not equipped to fully comprehend the vastness of time and God’s purposes. We can speculate, make plans, and try to understand things, but we can never truly know with absolute certainty what will come next. It's a call for humility: It’s a reminder that we should be grateful for the present moment and not obsess over the future. It encourages us to live in the now and trust in God’s plan, even if we don't fully understand it. In essence, the verse is saying: "Don't get too caught up trying to figure out everything that will happen. Just be present and trust that God has a bigger picture." --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific idea or theme in the Bible?