Ecclesiastes 8:6

6 Because for every purpose there is a time and a judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him.

Ecclesiastes 8:6 Meaning and Commentary

Ecclesiastes 8:6

Because to every purpose there is time and judgment
There is a fit season, and a right and proper manner of doing everything that is to be done; see ( Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 ) ; which a wise man discerns; and which when a man hits upon, it prevents a great deal of mischief, which for want of it comes upon men, as the following clause shows; some refer this to the punishment of the wicked, and to a future judgment. So the Targum,

``to every business there is a time good and evil, and according to the judgment of truth the whole world is judged;''

and to the same purpose Jarchi,

``there is a time fixed for the visitation of the wicked, and there is judgment before the Lord; this is vengeance or punishment;''

therefore the misery of man [is] great upon him;
he not observing the right time and manner of doing what he ought, brings much trouble upon himself; his days are few and full trouble, and every day has a sufficiency of evil in because of the evil of sin, the evil of misery presses upon him, and is a heavy burden on him Jarchi's note is,

``when the wickedness of a man is great, then cometh his visitation.''

Ecclesiastes 8:6 In-Context

4 Where the word of a king is, there is power; and who may say unto him, "What doest thou?"

5 Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing, and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment.

6 Because for every purpose there is a time and a judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him.

7 For he knoweth not that which shall be; for who can tell him when it shall be?

8 There is no man who hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit, neither hath he power in the day of death. And there is no discharge in that war, neither shall wickedness deliver those who are given to it.