Ecclesiastes 8:2-12

2 I [advise] you to obey the king's commands because of the oath you took in God's presence.

3 Don't be in a hurry to leave the king's service. Don't take part in something evil, because he can do whatever he pleases.

4 Since a king's word has such power, no one can ask him what he is doing.

5 Whoever obeys his commands will avoid trouble. The mind of a wise person will know the right time and the right way [to act].

6 There is a right time and a right way [to act] in every situation. Yet, a terrible human tragedy hangs over people.

7 They don't know what the future will bring. So who can tell them how things will turn out?

8 No one has the power to prevent the spirit of life from leaving. No one has control over the day of his own death. There is no way to avoid the war [against death]. Wickedness will not save wicked people [from dying].

9 I have seen all of this, and I have carefully considered all that is done under the sun whenever one person has authority to hurt others.

10 Then I saw wicked people given an [honorable] burial. They used to go in and out of the holy place. They were praised in the city for doing such things. Even this is pointless.

11 When a sentence against a crime isn't carried out quickly, people are encouraged to commit crimes.

12 A sinner may commit a hundred crimes and yet live a long life. Still, I know with certainty that it will go well for those who fear God, because they fear 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.