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Ecclesiastes 8:4-14

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4 Since the word of the king is authoritative, 1who will say to him, "What are you doing?"
5 He who 2keeps a royal command 3experiences no trouble, for a wise heart knows the proper time and procedure.
6 For 4there is a proper time and procedure for every delight, though a man's trouble is heavy upon him.
7 If no one 5knows what will happen, who can tell him when it will happen?
8 6No man has authority to restrain the wind with the wind, or authority over the day of death; and there is no discharge in the time of war, and 7evil will not deliver those who practice it.
9 All this I have seen and applied my mind to every deed that has been done under the sun wherein a man has exercised 8authority over another man to his hurt.
10 So then, I have seen the wicked buried, those who used to go in and out from the holy place, and they are 9soon forgotten in the city where they did thus. This too is futility.
11 Because the 10sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly, therefore * 11the hearts of the sons of men among them are given fully to do evil.
12 Although a sinner does evil a hundred times and may 12lengthen his life, still * I know that it will be 13well for those who fear God, who fear Him openly *.
13 But it will 14not be well for the evil man and he will not lengthen his days like a 15shadow, because he does not fear God.
14 There is futility which is done on the earth, that is, there are 16righteous men to whom it happens according to the deeds of the wicked. On the other hand, there are 17evil men to whom it happens according to the deeds of the righteous. I say that this too is futility.
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Ecclesiastes 8:4-14 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.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Cross References 17

  • 1. Job 9:12; Daniel 4:35
  • 2. Ecclesiastes 12:13
  • 3. Proverbs 12:21
  • 4. Ecclesiastes 3:1, 17
  • 5. Ecclesiastes 3:22; Ecclesiastes 6:12; Ecclesiastes 7:14; Ecclesiastes 9:12
  • 6. Psalms 49:7
  • 7. Ecclesiastes 8:13
  • 8. Ecclesiastes 4:1; Ecclesiastes 5:8; Ecclesiastes 7:7
  • 9. Ecclesiastes 1:11; Ecclesiastes 2:16; Ecclesiastes 9:5, 15
  • 10. Exodus 34:6; Psalms 86:15; Romans 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9
  • 11. Ecclesiastes 9:3
  • 12. Ecclesiastes 7:15
  • 13. Deuteronomy 4:40; Deuteronomy 12:25; Psalms 37:11; Proverbs 1:33; Isaiah 3:10
  • 14. Ecclesiastes 8:8; Isaiah 3:11
  • 15. Job 14:2; Ecclesiastes 6:12
  • 16. Psalms 73:14; Ecclesiastes 7:15
  • 17. Job 21:7; Psalms 73:3, 12; Jeremiah 12:1; Malachi 3:15

Footnotes 6

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, California.  All rights reserved.