Ecclesiastes 8:6

6 For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter, though a person may be weighed down by misery.

Ecclesiastes 8:6 in Other Translations

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

6 For there is a time and a way for everything, although man's trouble lies heavy on him.

6 for there is a time and a way for everything, even when a person is in trouble.

6 Yes, there's a right time and way for everything, even though, unfortunately, we miss it for the most part.

6 for to every purpose there is a time and judgment; because the misery of man is great upon him:

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

6 For every activity there is a right time and procedure, even though man's troubles are heavy on him.

6 There's a proper time and way for people to do everything. That's true even though a man might be suffering greatly.

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 Since a king’s word is supreme, who can say to him, “What are you doing?”

5 Whoever obeys his command will come to no harm, and the wise heart will know the proper time and procedure.

6 For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter, though a person may be weighed down by misery.

7 Since no one knows the future, who can tell someone else what is to come?

8 As no one has power over the wind to contain it, so no one has power over the time of their death. As no one is discharged in time of war, so wickedness will not release those who practice it.

Cross References

• 1. Ecclesiastes 3:1