Ecclesiastes 8:1-7

Obey Rulers

1 Who is like the wise man and who knows the interpretation of a matter? A man's wisdom ¹illumines him and causes his ²stern face to beam.

2 I say, "Keep the command of the king because * of the ³oath before God.

3 "Do not be in a hurry ⁴to leave * him. Do not join in an evil matter, for he will do whatever * he pleases."

4 Since the word of the king is authoritative, ⁵who will say to him, "What are you doing?"

5 He who ⁶keeps a royal command ⁷experiences no trouble, for a wise heart knows the proper time and procedure.

6 For ⁸there is a proper time and procedure for every delight, though a man's trouble is heavy upon him.

7 If no one ⁹knows what will happen, who can tell him when it will happen?

Ecclesiastes 8:1-7 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.

Cross References

• 1. Exodus 34:29, 30
• 2. Deuteronomy 28:50
• 3. Exodus 22:11; 2 Samuel 21:7; Ezekiel 17:18
• 4. Ecclesiastes 10:4
• 5. Job 9:12; Daniel 4:35
• 6. Ecclesiastes 12:13
• 7. Proverbs 12:21
• 8. Ecclesiastes 3:1, 17
• 9. Ecclesiastes 3:22; Ecclesiastes 6:12; Ecclesiastes 7:14; Ecclesiastes 9:12

Footnotes

• [a] Lit "his face"
• [b] Or "change"
• [c] Lit "mouth"
• [d] Lit "of"
• [e] Lit "to go out from his presence"
• [f] Lit "evil thing"