For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
The more wisdom you gain, the more grief you'll experience. And whoever increases their knowledge will also increase their sorrow.
The writer is explaining that gaining wisdom and knowledge often brings pain because you become more aware of life's problems and injustices.
📚 Historical Context
Ecclesiastes is traditionally attributed to King Solomon, the ancient king of Israel renowned for his wisdom given by God, as described in the books of Kings and Chronicles. In this verse, Solomon reflects on the paradoxical nature of wisdom, noting that greater knowledge exposes the flaws and injustices of the world, leading to increased sorrow. This fits into the book's overall theme of exploring the emptiness of human pursuits under the sun, written during a time of Israel's prosperity but highlighting life's fleeting nature.
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