Ecclesiastes 8:6

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 He has the final word. So who can ask him, "What are you doing?"

5 No one who obeys his command will be harmed. Those who are wise will know the proper time and way to approach 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.

7 No one knows what lies ahead. So who can tell a person what's going to happen?

8 He can't stop the wind from blowing. And he doesn't have the power to decide when he will die. No one is let out of the army in times of war. And evil won't let go of those who practice it.