Contradiction with Job 11:7
This verse suggests that humans can find out the deep things of God, contrasting Ecclesiastes 8:17, which states no man can find out God's work.
Job 11:7: Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?
Contradiction with Romans 11:33
This verse acknowledges the depth of the riches of God's wisdom, presenting it as unsearchable, similar to Ecclesiastes 8:17, while implying admiration rather than the futility emphasized in Ecclesiastes.
Romans 11:33: O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable [are] his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
Contradiction with Deuteronomy 29:29
This verse states that secret things belong to God but reveals other things to us, suggesting some divine knowledge is accessible, which contrasts Ecclesiastes 8:17's idea of complete incomprehensibility.
Deuteronomy 29:29: The secret [things belong] unto the LORD our God: but those [things which are] revealed [belong] unto us and to our children for ever, that [we] may do all the words of this law.
Contradiction with Proverbs 25:2
The verse indicates that it is the glory of God to conceal a thing and the honor of kings to search it out, implying that searching can lead to discovery, contradicting Ecclesiastes 8:17's assertion that finding out God's work is impossible.
Proverbs 25:2: [It is] the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings [is] to search out a matter.
Paradox #1
The verse suggests that humans cannot fully understand God's works or ways. The theological conflict might be that other parts of the Bible imply that God's plan or nature is understandable to some extent through scripture or spiritual insight. This inconsistency arises from the tension between God's unknowability and the belief that humans can have a relationship with Him and understand His will.
Paradox #2
The contradiction or inconsistency might stem from the idea that Ecclesiastes discusses the limits of human understanding and wisdom, which can appear to contradict other parts of the Bible that emphasize seeking wisdom and understanding as directly beneficial and attainable. Different biblical texts might seem at odds over whether divine wisdom is accessible or ultimately unknowable.
Paradox #3
The potential contradiction in this verse could be that it suggests humans cannot fully understand all the works or phenomena of the world, whereas science operates on the premise that through inquiry, observation, and study, we can increasingly understand the natural world. Science is built on the belief that most things can eventually be explained, even if we currently lack the knowledge.
Paradox #4
This verse points out the limits of human understanding and suggests that God's ways are beyond comprehension. The contradiction or conflict might arise when considering the emphasis in other parts of the Bible on the importance of seeking wisdom and understanding. It can seem inconsistent to encourage the pursuit of knowledge while also emphasizing its ultimate futility or inaccessibility. This can create a tension between striving for wisdom and accepting the limits of human understanding.