Ecclesiastes 7 · Verse 13

Ecclesiastes 7:13

Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?
Ecclesiastes 7:13, King James Version

Ecclesiastes 7:13 in other translations

BSBConsider the work of God: Who can straighten what He has bent?
WEBConsider the work of God, for who can make that straight which he has made crooked?
ASVConsider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?
YLTSee the work of God, For who is able to make straight that which He made crooked?
DARBYConsider the work of God; for who can make straight what he hath made crooked?
BBEGive thought to the work of God. Who will make straight what he has made bent?
WebsterConsider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?

What does Ecclesiastes 7:13 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
13. Consider as to God's work, that it is impossible to alter His dispensations; for who can, &c. straight ... crooked--Man cannot amend what God wills to be "wanting" and "adverse" (Ec 1:15; Job 12:14).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 13 Consider the work of God - Such is the nature of his providence, that it puts money into the hands of few: but wisdom is within the reach of all. The first is not necessary to happiness; therefore, it is not offered to men; the latter is; and therefore God, in his goodness, offers it to the whole human race. The former can rarely be acquired, for God puts it out of the reach of most men, and you cannot make that straight which he has made crooked; the latter may be easily attained by every person who carefully and seriously seeks it from God.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Ecclesiastes 7:11-22

Wisdom is as good as an inheritance, yea better. It shelters from the storms and scorching heat of trouble. Wealth will not lengthen out the natural life; but true wisdom will give spiritual life, and strengthen men for services under their sufferings. Let us look upon the disposal of our condition as the work of God, and at last all will appear to have been for the best. In acts of righteousness, be not carried…

Read the full comment on Ecclesiastes 7:11-22 →

Ecclesiastes 7:13 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

רְאֵ֖הre.'EhconsiderH7200
אֶת\־'et-<obj.>H853
מַעֲשֵׂ֣הma.'a.Seh[the] work ofH4639
הָאֱלֹהִ֑יםha.'E.lo.Him<the> GodH430
כִּ֣יkiforH3588
מִ֤יmiwho?H4310
יוּכַל֙yu.Khalis he ableH3201
לְתַקֵּ֔ןle.ta.Kento straightenH8626
אֵ֖ת'et<obj.>H853
אֲשֶׁ֥ר'a.Sher[that] whichH834
עִוְּתֽוֹ\׃i.ve.Tohe has bent itH5791

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Ecclesiastes 7:13

  • Ecclesiastes 1:15

    That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.

  • Job 12:14

    Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again: he shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening.

  • Psalms 107:43

    Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the Lord.

  • Isaiah 14:27

    For the Lord of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?

  • Ecclesiastes 3:11

    He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

  • Isaiah 5:12

    And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the Lord, neither consider the operation of his hands.

  • Romans 9:15

    For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

  • Ephesians 1:11

    In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

  • Isaiah 46:10-11

    Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.

  • Job 37:14

    Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.

  • Isaiah 43:13

    Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?

  • Romans 9:19

    Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Consider.
Job 37:14; Ps 8:3; 107:43; Isa 5:12
who.
1:15; Job 9:12; 11:10; 12:14; 34:29; Isa 14:27; 43:13; 46:10,11
Da 4:35; Ro 9:15,19; Eph 1:11

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Ecclesiastes 7:12

    For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.

  • Ecclesiastes 7:13

    Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?

  • Ecclesiastes 7:14

    In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 7

Ecclesiastes 7:13 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Mira la obra de Dios; porque ¿quién podrá enderezar lo que él torció?
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Considère l’œuvre de Dieu, car qui peut redresser ce qu’il a tordu?
German
Elberfelder 1871		Schaue das Werk Gottes an; denn wer kann gerade machen, was er gekrümmt hat?
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Sicut enim protegit sapientia, sic protegit pecunia; hoc autem plus habet eruditio et sapientia, quod vitam tribuunt possessori suo.