Ecclesiastes 8:2-12

2 Keep[a] the king's command. Concerning an oath by God,
3 do not be in a hurry. Leave his presence, and don't persist in a bad cause, since he will do whatever he wants.
4 For the king's word is authoritative, and who can say to him, "What are you doing?"
5 The one who keeps a command will not experience anything harmful, and a wise heart knows the right time and procedure.
6 For every activity there is a right time and procedure, even though man's troubles are heavy on him.
7 Yet no one knows what will happen, because who can tell him what will happen?
8 No one has authority over the wind[b] to restrain it, and there is no authority over the day of death; there is no furlough in battle, and wickedness will not allow those who practice it to escape.
9 All this I have seen, applying my mind to all the work that is done under the sun, at a time when one man has authority over another to his harm.
10 In such circumstances, I saw the wicked buried. They came and went from the holy place, and they were praised[c] in the city where they did so. This too is futile.
11 Because the sentence against a criminal act is not carried out quickly, therefore the heart of people is filled [with the desire] to commit crime.
12 Although a sinner commits crime a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I also know that it will go well with God-fearing people, for they are reverent before Him.

Ecclesiastes 8:2-12 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ECCLESIASTES 8

The preacher begins this chapter with the praise of wisdom, from its excellency and usefulness, Ec 8:1; and advises men, if they would live quietly and comfortably, to honour and obey the king that rules over them, and not be rebellious against him, since he has great power and authority, Ec 8:2-5; and not be anxious about things to come, since there is a set time for everything, and future things cannot be known nor frustrated; and, particularly, there is no avoiding the hour and stroke of death, Ec 8:6-8; Though there are times wherein wicked men rule over others, it is to their own hurt, and they must die; and though they may be pompously buried, yet are soon forgotten, Ec 8:9,10; and the reason of their insolence is the delay of justice; yet there will come a time when it shall be well with them that fear God, and ill with the wicked, though they may live long in wickedness; and for the present it may befall good then what wicked men deserve, and wicked men may have that which might, be thought more proper for good men, Ec 8:11-14; wherefore this should give no uneasiness; but men should cheerfully and freely enjoy what they have with thankfulness, there being nothing better than that under the sun, Ec 8:15; and the chapter is concluded with observing the unsearchableness of divine Providence, Ec 5:16,17.

Footnotes 3

  • [a]. Some Hb mss, LXX, Vg, Tg, Syr; other Hb mss read I, keep
  • [b]. Or life-breath
  • [c]. Some Hb mss, LXX, Aq, Theod, Sym; other Hb mss read forgotten
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