Ecclesiastes 8:14-17

Man Cannot Know God's Ways

14 There is a vanity that takes place on earth, that there are righteous people ¹to whom it happens according to the deeds of the wicked, and there are wicked people ²to whom it happens according to the deeds of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity.

15 And I commend joy, for man ³has no good thing under the sun but to ⁴eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun.

16 When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see ⁵the business that is done on earth, how neither ⁶day nor night do one's eyes see sleep,

17 then I saw all the work of God, that ⁷man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. However much man may toil in seeking, he will not find it out. Even though a wise man claims to know, ⁸he cannot find it out.

Ecclesiastes 8:14-17 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. Ecclesiastes 7:15; [Psalms 73:3]; See Ecclesiastes 2:14
• 2. [Job 21:7; Psalms 17:9, 10; Psalms 73:12; Jeremiah 12:1]
• 3. See Ecclesiastes 2:24
• 4. 1 Kings 4:20
• 5. Ecclesiastes 1:13; Ecclesiastes 3:10
• 6. [Psalms 127:2]
• 7. [Proverbs 25:2]; See Ecclesiastes 3:11
• 8. [Psalms 73:16]