Ecclesiastes 8:1-6

Wisdom is Valuable

1 Who [is] like the sage? Who knows [the] interpretation of a thing? A man's wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.
2 Keep [the] command of [the] king {because of your oath to God}.
3 Do not be terrified of his presence! Go at once and do not delay when a matter [is] unpleasant, for he can do anything that he desires.
4 Since the word of the king [is] supreme, no one can say to him, "What are you doing?"
5 Whoever obeys [his] command will not suffer disaster. The wise mind knows the [proper] time and the right [procedure].
6 For there is a [proper] time and right [procedure] for every matter, even though the trouble of man [weighs] heavy upon him.

Ecclesiastes 8:1-6 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]. While MT reads "I [said], 'Keep [the] mouth of [the] king,'" the versions read "Keep [the] mouth of [the] king," which is adopted in the translation
  • [b]. Literally "because of the oath of God"
Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.