Ecclesiastes 1:17
NASB Lexicon
NASB ©HebrewStrong'sOrigin
And I setוָאֶתְּנָ֤ה
(va·'et·te·nah)
5414: to give, put, seta prim. root
my mindלִבִּי֙
(lib·bi)
3820: inner man, mind, will, heartfrom the same as lebab
to knowלָדַ֣עַת
(la·da·'at)
3045: to knowa prim. root
wisdomחָכְמָ֔ה
(cha·che·mah,)
2451: wisdomfrom chakam
and to knowוְדַ֥עַת
(ve·da·'at)
3045: to knowa prim. root
madnessהֹולֵלֹ֖ות
(ho·v·le·lo·vt)
1947: madnessfrom halal
and folly;וְשִׂכְל֑וּת
(ve·sich·lut;)
5531: follyfrom sakal
I realizedיָדַ֕עְתִּי
(ya·da'·ti)
3045: to knowa prim. root
that thisזֶ֥ה
(zeh)
2088: this, herea prim. pronoun
alsoשֶׁגַּם־
(sheg·gam-)
1571: also, moreover, yeafrom an unused word
is strivingרַעְיֹ֥ון
(ra'·yo·vn)
7475: longing, strivingfrom the same as rea
after wind.רֽוּחַ׃
(ru·ach.)
7307: breath, wind, spiritfrom an unused word


















KJV Lexicon
And I gave
nathan  (naw-than')
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
my heart
leb  (labe)
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect
to know
yada`  (yaw-dah')
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially
wisdom
chokmah  (khok-maw')
wisdom (in a good sense) -- skilful, wisdom, wisely, wit.
and to know
yada`  (yaw-dah')
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially
madness
howlelah  (ho-lay-law')
folly -- madness.
and folly
cikluwth  (sik-looth')
silliness -- folly, foolishness.
I perceived
yada`  (yaw-dah')
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially
that this
gam  (gam)
assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
also is vexation
ra`yown  (rah-yone')
desire -- vexation.
of spirit
ruwach  (roo'-akh)
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being
Parallel Verses
New American Standard Bible
And I set my mind to know wisdom and to know madness and folly; I realized that this also is striving after wind.

King James Bible
And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I applied my mind to know wisdom and knowledge, madness and folly; I learned that this too is a pursuit of the wind.

International Standard Version
So I dedicated myself to learn about wisdom and knowledge, and about insanity and foolishness. And I discovered that this is also like chasing after the wind.

NET Bible
So I decided to discern the benefit of wisdom and knowledge over foolish behavior and ideas; however, I concluded that even this endeavor is like trying to chase the wind!

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I've used my mind to understand wisdom and knowledge as well as madness and stupidity. [Now] I know that this is [like] trying to catch the wind.

King James 2000 Bible
And I set my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is like grasping the wind.
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Ecclesiastes 1:17
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Ecclesiastes 1:16
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