Ecclesiastes 8:2-12

2 Do what the king says, and don't make any rash promises to God.
3 The king can do anything he likes, so depart from his presence; don't stay in such a dangerous place.
4 The king acts with authority, and no one can challenge what he does.
5 As long as you obey his commands, you are safe, and a wise person knows how and when to do it.
6 There is a right time and a right way to do everything, but we know so little!
7 None of us knows what is going to happen, and there is no one to tell us.
8 No one can keep from dying or put off the day of death. That is a battle we cannot escape; we cannot cheat our way out.
9 I saw all this when I thought about the things that are done in this world, a world where some people have power and others have to suffer under them.
10 Yes, I have seen the wicked buried and in their graves, but on the way back from the cemetery people praise them in the very city where they did their evil. It is useless.
11 Why do people commit crimes so readily? Because crime is not punished quickly enough.
12 A sinner may commit a hundred crimes and still live. Oh yes, I know what they say: "If you obey God, everything will be all right,

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 2

  • [a]. [Some ancient translations] Do what the king says; [Hebrew unclear.]
  • [b]. [Verse 10 in Hebrew is unclear.]
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.