Ecclesiastes 7:25

“I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, etc.] Or, “I and my heart turned about”f179; took a circuit, a tour throughout the whole compass of things; looked into every corner, and went through the circle of knowledge, in order to search and find out what true wisdom is; which is no other than Christ, and a spiritual knowledge of him; a variety of words is used to express his eager desire after wisdom, and the diligent search he made, from which he was not discouraged by the difficulties he met with; (see <210113>Ecclesiastes 1:13); and the reason [of things]; either in nature or providence: or the estimationf180 of them; the excellency of them, how much they are to…”

“Literally, "I turned myself and mine heart to." A phrase peculiar to Ecclesiastes, and appropriate to the penitent turning back to commune with his heart on his past life. wickedness of folly--He is now a step further on the path of penitence than in Ecc 1:17; Ecc 2:12, where "folly" is put without "wickedness" prefixed. reason--rather, "the right estimation" of things. HOLDEN translates also "foolishness (that is, sinful folly, answering to 'wickedness' in the parallel) of madness" (that is, of man's mad pursuits).”

“Reason - The same word is translated “account” Ecclesiastes 7:27, “invention” Ecclesiastes 7:29, and “device” Ecclesiastes 9:10 : it is derived from a root signifying “to count.” return to 'Top of Page'”

“And seek - He useth three words signifying the same thing, to intimate his vehement desire, and vigorous, and unwearied endeavours after it. The reason - Both of God's various providences, and of the counsels and courses of men. The wickedness - Clearly and fully to understand the great evil of sin. Ecclesiastes 7:26”

“I applied mine heart: Heb. I and my heart compassed, Ecc 1:13-17, Ecc 2:1-3, Ecc 2:12, Ecc 2:20 the reason: Ecc 7:27 \*marg. Ecc 2:15, Ecc 3:16, Ecc 3:17, Ecc 9:1, Ecc 9:2; Jer 12:1, Jer 12:2; Pe2 2:3-9, Pe2 3:3-9 know: Ecc 9:3, Ecc 10:13; Gen 34:7; Jos 7:13; Sa2 13:12; Pro 17:12, Pro 26:11 Ecclesiastes 7:26”

“But, on the other side, he can bear testimony to himself that he has honestly exercised himself in seeking to go to the foundation of things: "I turned myself, and my heart was there to discern, and to explore, and to seek wisdom, and the account, and to perceive wickedness as folly, and folly as madness." Regarding sabbothi, vid., under Ecc 2:20 : a turning is meant to the theme as given in what follows, which, as we have to suppose, was connected with a turning away form superficiality and frivolity. Almost all interpreters-as also the accentuation does - connect the two words ולבּי אני; but "I and my heart" is so unpsychological an expression, without example, that many Codd. (28 of…”