רְאֵה֙ זֶ֣ה מָצָ֔אתִי אָמְרָ֖ה קֹהֶ֑לֶת אַחַ֥ת לְאַחַ֖ת לִמְצֹ֥א חֶשְׁבֹּֽון׃
(Ecclesiastes 7:27)
See, this I have found, said Qohelet—one by one, to find an explanation.
One by One, Thought by Thought
Qohelet (Ecclesiastes) is a book of existential searching, framed by first-person reflection. In this verse, we hear a key claim: “this I have found.” But behind the philosophical tone lies sophisticated grammar—specifically the use of the demonstrative זֶה in object position, the infinitive construct לִמְצֹא as a purpose clause, and a poetic expression אַחַת לְאַחַת that illustrates Hebrew idiomatic syntax.
Demonstrative Object: זֶה מָצָ֔אתִי
The phrase זֶה מָצָ֔אתִי (“this I have found”) follows a common Hebrew structure in which the demonstrative pronoun זֶה precedes the verb but is still its object. This is called fronting for emphasis.
- זֶה – “this” (masculine singular demonstrative pronoun)
- מָצָ֔אתִי – Qal perfect 1cs from מ־צ־א, “I have found”
This syntactic move highlights the speaker’s discovery: this, not something else, is what was found.
Parsing Snapshot: מָצָ֔אתִי
| Form | Root | Stem | Tense | Person / Gender / Number | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| מָצָ֔אתִי | מ־צ־א | Qal | Perfect | 1st Common Singular | “I have found” |
Speaker Identification: אָמְרָ֖ה קֹהֶ֑לֶת
The form אָמְרָה (Qal perfect 3fs) is intriguing—it’s feminine! This is due to agreement with the subject קֹהֶלֶת, which is grammatically feminine (even though the speaker is presumably male).
- אָמְרָה – “she said” (grammatically feminine, referring to קֹהֶלֶת)
- קֹהֶלֶת – “Qohelet,” often understood as “the assembler” or “preacher”
This use emphasizes literary voice and textual persona, as Qohelet refers to himself in the third person.
Parallel Syntax: אַחַ֥ת לְאַחַ֖ת
This idiom, “one to one,” reflects methodical reasoning—an approach “step by step” or “item by item.” The repeated feminine form אַחַת suggests a process, a calculated search. It is syntactically bound in a construct-like pairing: the first word (אַחַת) governs the second (לְאַחַת), even without the construct form.
Infinitive Construct of Purpose: לִמְצֹ֥א חֶשְׁבֹּֽון
This final phrase explains why Qohelet proceeded אַחַת לְאַחַת—“to find calculation.”
- לִמְצֹ֥א – “to find” (Qal infinitive construct with ל־ prefix of purpose)
- חֶשְׁבֹּֽון – “accounting, reckoning, explanation”
This is a purpose clause in Biblical Hebrew, formed with לְ + infinitive construct.
The Wisdom of Syntax
Ecclesiastes 7:27 uses tight Hebrew syntax to communicate deep philosophical intent:
- Fronted demonstrative to highlight the result
- Feminine perfect verb to align with literary persona
- Idiomatic pairings for methodical thought
- Infinitive construct for purpose
It’s a verse about search—and the Hebrew grammar mirrors that search: phrase by phrase, idea by idea.
When Grammar Imitates Inquiry
Qohelet’s phrase אַחַת לְאַחַת is as much a literary device as it is a syntax pattern. It mimics the act of examining—calculating, finding, reflecting. The grammar doesn’t just carry meaning—it models the process of wisdom-seeking itself.