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Ecclesiastes 8

BSB·17 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Whoמִ֚יmî — who? what person?H4310 — Full Word Study → is like the wise manכְּהֶ֣חָכָ֔םkə·he·ḥā·ḵām — Wise, skilled, or cunning in understanding and discernmentH2450 — Full Word Study →? Whoוּמִ֥יū·mî — who? what person?H4310 — Full Word Study → knowsיוֹדֵ֖עַyō·w·ḏê·a‘ — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → the interpretationפֵּ֣שֶׁרpê·šer — Interpretation; the explanation or meaning of something hidden or obscureH6592 — Full Word Study → of a matterדָּבָ֑רdā·ḇār — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study →? A man’sאָדָם֙’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study → wisdomחָכְמַ֤תḥā·ḵə·maṯ — Wisdom; skillful understanding and discernmentH2451 — Full Word Study → brightensתָּאִ֣ירtā·’îr — to shine, give light, become brightH215 — Full Word Study → his faceפָּנָ֔יוpā·nāw — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study →, and the sternnessוְעֹ֥זwə·‘ōz — Strength, power, or mightH5797 — Full Word Study → of his faceפָּנָ֖יוpā·nāw — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → is changedיְשֻׁנֶּֽא׃yə·šun·ne — to change, alter, transformH8132 — Full Word Study →. 2Keepשְׁמ֔וֹרšə·mō·wr — To guard, keep, observe, preserveH8104 — Full Word Study → the king’sמֶ֣לֶךְme·leḵ — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → commandפִּי־pî- — Mouth; lips; edge; openingH6310 — Full Word Study →, I sayאֲנִי֙’ă·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study →, because ofוְעַ֕לwə·‘al — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → your oathשְׁבוּעַ֥תšə·ḇū·‘aṯ — Oath, sworn vow, or curseH7621 — Full Word Study → before Godאֱלֹהִֽים׃’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →. 3Do notאַל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → hastenתִּבָּהֵ֤לtib·bā·hêl — to alarm, hasten, or act in hasteH926 — Full Word Study → to leaveתֵּלֵ֔ךְtê·lêḵ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → his presenceמִפָּנָיו֙mip·pā·nāw — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study →, and do notאַֽל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → persistתַּעֲמֹ֖דta·‘ă·mōḏ — to stand, take a stand, be establishedH5975 — Full Word Study → in a badרָ֑עrā‘ — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study → causeבְּדָבָ֣רbə·ḏā·ḇār — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study →, forכִּ֛יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → he will doיַעֲשֶֽׂה׃ya·‘ă·śeh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → whateverכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → he pleasesיַחְפֹּ֖ץyaḥ·pōṣ — to delight in; to desire; to take pleasureH2654 — Full Word Study →. 4Forבַּאֲשֶׁ֥רba·’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → the king’sמֶ֖לֶךְme·leḵ — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → wordדְּבַר־də·ḇar- — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study → is supremeשִׁלְט֑וֹןšil·ṭō·wn — dominion, authority, sovereign powerH7983 — Full Word Study →, and whoוּמִ֥יū·mî — who? what person?H4310 — Full Word Study → can sayיֹֽאמַר־yō·mar- — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → to him, “Whatמַֽה־mah- — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → are you doingתַּעֲשֶֽׂה׃ta·‘ă·śeh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study →?” 5Whoever keepsשׁוֹמֵ֣רšō·w·mêr — To guard, keep, observe, preserveH8104 — Full Word Study → his commandמִצְוָ֔הmiṣ·wāh — A command or commandment; divine instruction or lawH4687 — Full Word Study → will come toיֵדַ֖עyê·ḏa‘ — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → noלֹ֥אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → harmרָ֑עrā‘ — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study →, and a wiseחָכָֽם׃ḥā·ḵām — Wise, skilled, or cunning in understanding and discernmentH2450 — Full Word Study → heartלֵ֥בlêḇ — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study → knowsיֵדַ֖עyê·ḏa‘ — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → the right timeוְעֵ֣תwə·‘êṯ — Time, season, or appointed momentH6256 — Full Word Study → and procedureוּמִשְׁפָּ֔טū·miš·pāṭ — Justice, judgment, or legal decisionH4941 — Full Word Study →. 6Forכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → there isיֵ֖שׁyêš — there is, exists, has beingH3426 — Full Word Study → a right timeעֵ֣ת‘êṯ — Time, season, or appointed momentH6256 — Full Word Study → and procedureוּמִשְׁפָּ֑טū·miš·pāṭ — Justice, judgment, or legal decisionH4941 — Full Word Study → to everyלְכָל־lə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → purposeחֵ֔פֶץḥê·p̄eṣ — Pleasure, desire, delight, or purposeH2656 — Full Word Study →, thoughכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → a man’sהָאָדָ֖םhā·’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study → miseryרָעַ֥תrā·‘aṯ — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study → weighs heavilyרַבָּ֥הrab·bāh — great, many, abundant, mightyH7227 — Full Word Study → upon himעָלָֽיו׃‘ā·lāw — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →. 7Sinceכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → no oneאֵינֶ֥נּוּ’ê·nen·nū — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → knowsיֹדֵ֖עַyō·ḏê·a‘ — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → whatמַה־mah- — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → will happenשֶּׁיִּֽהְיֶ֑הše·yih·yeh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study →, whoמִ֖יmî — who? what person?H4310 — Full Word Study → can tellיַגִּ֥ידyag·gîḏ — to tell, declare, make knownH5046 — Full Word Study → him whatכַּאֲשֶׁ֣רka·’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → is to comeיִֽהְיֶ֔הyih·yeh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study →? 8As noאֵ֣ין’ên — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → manאָדָ֞ם’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study → has powerשַׁלִּ֤יטšal·lîṭ — ruler, one who has power or dominionH7989 — Full Word Study → over the windבָּר֙וּחַ֙bā·rū·aḥ — Spirit, breath, wind, or inner dispositionH7307 — Full Word Study → to containלִכְל֣וֹאliḵ·lō·w — To restrain, hold back, or shut upH3607 — Full Word Study → it, so no oneוְאֵ֤יןwə·’ên — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → has authorityשִׁלְטוֹן֙šil·ṭō·wn — dominion, authority, sovereign powerH7983 — Full Word Study → over his day of deathהַמָּ֔וֶתham·mā·weṯ — death, the state of being deadH4194 — Full Word Study →. As no oneוְאֵ֥יןwə·’ên — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → can be dischargedמִשְׁלַ֖חַתmiš·la·ḥaṯ — A sending forth; dispatch or deputationH4917 — Full Word Study → in wartimeבַּמִּלְחָמָ֑הbam·mil·ḥā·māh — Battle, warfare, combat, military conflictH4421 — Full Word Study →, so wickednessרֶ֖שַׁעre·ša‘ — Wickedness, moral evil, depravityH7562 — Full Word Study → will notוְלֹֽא־wə·lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → releaseיְמַלֵּ֥טyə·mal·lêṭ — to escape, deliver, or save from dangerH4422 — Full Word Study → those who practice itבְּעָלָֽיו׃bə·‘ā·lāw — Master, owner, lord, husbandH1167 — Full Word Study →. 9Allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → thisזֶ֤הzeh — this, that; the one, the otherH2088 — Full Word Study → I have seenרָאִ֙יתִי֙rā·’î·ṯî — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study →, applyingוְנָת֣וֹןwə·nā·ṯō·wn — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → my mindלִבִּ֔יlib·bî — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study → to everyלְכָֽל־lə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → deedמַעֲשֶׂ֔הma·‘ă·śeh — Work, deed, or actionH4639 — Full Word Study → thatאֲשֶׁ֥ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → is doneנַעֲשָׂ֖הna·‘ă·śāh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → underתַּ֣חַתta·ḥaṯ — Under, beneath, instead of, in place ofH8478 — Full Word Study → the sunהַשָּׁ֑מֶשׁhaš·šā·meš — The sun; sunlight; dayH8121 — Full Word Study →; there is a time whenאֲשֶׁ֨ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → one manהָאָדָ֛םhā·’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study → lords itשָׁלַ֧טšā·laṭ — to rule, dominate, or exercise power overH7980 — Full Word Study → over anotherבְּאָדָ֖םbə·’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study → to his own detrimentלְרַ֥עlə·ra‘ — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study →. 10Then tooוּבְכֵ֡ןū·ḇə·ḵên — so, thus, rightly, thereforeH3651 — Full Word Study →, I sawרָאִיתִי֩rā·’î·ṯî — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → the burialקְבֻרִ֜יםqə·ḇu·rîm — to bury, to entomb the deadH6912 — Full Word Study → of the wickedרְשָׁעִ֨יםrə·šā·‘îm — wicked, guilty, morally corruptH7563 — Full Word Study → who used to go inוָבָ֗אוּwā·ḇā·’ū — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → and outיְהַלֵּ֔כוּyə·hal·lê·ḵū — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → of the holyקָדוֹשׁ֙qā·ḏō·wōš — Set apart, consecrated, sacredH6918 — Full Word Study → placeוּמִמְּק֤וֹםū·mim·mə·qō·wm — A place, location, or spaceH4725 — Full Word Study →, and they were praisedוְיִֽשְׁתַּכְּח֥וּwə·yiš·tak·kə·ḥū — to forget, neglect, lose memory ofH7911 — Full Word Study → in the cityבָעִ֖ירḇā·‘îr — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → whereאֲשֶׁ֣ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → they had doneעָשׂ֑וּ‘ā·śū — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → soכֵּן־kên- — so, thus, rightly, thereforeH3651 — Full Word Study →. Thisזֶ֖הzeh — this, that; the one, the otherH2088 — Full Word Study → tooגַּם־gam- — also, even, moreover, both...andH1571 — Full Word Study → is futileהָֽבֶל׃hā·ḇel — Vanity, emptiness, futilityH1892 — Full Word Study →. 11Whenאֲשֶׁר֙’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → the sentenceפִתְגָ֔םp̄iṯ·ḡām — Royal decree or edict; official pronouncementH6599 — Full Word Study → for a crimeהָרָעָ֖הhā·rā·‘āh — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study → is notאֵין־’ên- — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → speedilyמְהֵרָ֑הmə·hê·rāh — Haste, speed, urgency of actionH4120 — Full Word Study → executedנַעֲשָׂ֣הna·‘ă·śāh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study →, the heartsלֵ֧בlêḇ — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study → of menהָאָדָ֛םhā·’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study → become fully setמָלֵ֞אmā·lê — to fill, fulfill, completeH4390 — Full Word Study → on doingלַעֲשׂ֥וֹתla·‘ă·śō·wṯ — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → evilרָֽע׃rā‘ — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study →. 12Althoughאֲשֶׁ֣ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → a sinnerחֹטֶ֗אḥō·ṭe — To sin; to miss the mark; to commit wrongdoingH2398 — Full Word Study → doesעֹשֶׂ֥ה‘ō·śeh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → evilרָ֛עrā‘ — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study → a hundred times and still lives longוּמַאֲרִ֣יךְū·ma·’ă·rîḵ — to lengthen, prolong, or extend in time or spaceH748 — Full Word Study →, yetכִּ֚יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → Iאָ֔נִי’ā·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → alsoגַּם־gam- — also, even, moreover, both...andH1571 — Full Word Study → knowיוֹדֵ֣עַyō·w·ḏê·a‘ — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → thatאֲשֶׁ֤ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → it will goיִהְיֶה־yih·yeh- — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → wellטּוֹב֙ṭō·wḇ — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study → with those whoאֲשֶׁ֥ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → fearיִֽירְא֖וּyî·rə·’ū — to fear, revere, or be afraidH3372 — Full Word Study → Godהָאֱלֹהִ֔יםhā·’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →, who are reverentלְיִרְאֵ֣יlə·yir·’ê — to fear, be afraid, dreadH3373 — Full Word Study → in His presenceמִלְּפָנָֽיו׃mil·lə·p̄ā·nāw — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study →. 13Yet becauseאֲשֶׁ֛ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → the wicked do not fearיָרֵ֖אyā·rê — to fear, be afraid, dreadH3373 — Full Word Study → Godאֱלֹהִֽים׃’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →, it will notלֹֽא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → goיִהְיֶ֣הyih·yeh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → wellוְטוֹב֙wə·ṭō·wḇ — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study → with them, and their daysיָמִ֖יםyā·mîm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → will notוְלֹֽא־wə·lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → lengthenיַאֲרִ֥יךְya·’ă·rîḵ — to lengthen, prolong, or extend in time or spaceH748 — Full Word Study → like a shadowכַּצֵּ֑לkaṣ·ṣêl — shadow; protection; shelterH6738 — Full Word Study →. 14There isיֶשׁ־yeš- — there is, exists, has beingH3426 — Full Word Study → a futilityהֶבֶל֮he·ḇel — Vanity, emptiness, futilityH1892 — Full Word Study → thatאֲשֶׁ֣ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → is doneנַעֲשָׂ֣הna·‘ă·śāh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → onעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the earthהָאָרֶץ֒hā·’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study →: There areיֵ֣שׁyêš — there is, exists, has beingH3426 — Full Word Study → righteous men whoאֲשֶׁ֣ר׀’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → getמַגִּ֤יעַmag·gî·a‘ — to touch, reach, strike, or come into contactH5060 — Full Word Study → what the actionsכְּמַעֲשֵׂ֣הkə·ma·‘ă·śêh — Work, deed, or actionH4639 — Full Word Study → of the wicked deserve, and there areוְיֵ֣שׁwə·yêš — there is, exists, has beingH3426 — Full Word Study → wicked men whoאֲלֵהֶ֖ם’ă·lê·hem — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → getשֶׁמַּגִּ֥יעַšem·mag·gî·a‘ — to touch, reach, strike, or come into contactH5060 — Full Word Study → what the actionsכְּמַעֲשֵׂ֣הkə·ma·‘ă·śêh — Work, deed, or actionH4639 — Full Word Study → of the righteous deserveהַצַּדִּיקִ֑יםhaṣ·ṣad·dî·qîm — Righteous, just person; one who is right with GodH6662 — Full Word Study →. I sayאָמַ֕רְתִּי’ā·mar·tî — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → that thisזֶ֖הzeh — this, that; the one, the otherH2088 — Full Word Study → tooשֶׁגַּם־šeg·gam- — also, even, moreover, both...andH1571 — Full Word Study → is futileהָֽבֶל׃hā·ḇel — Vanity, emptiness, futilityH1892 — Full Word Study →. 15So Iאֲנִי֙’ă·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → commendedוְשִׁבַּ֤חְתִּֽיwə·šib·baḥ·tî — To praise loudly; to commend or triumphH7623 — Full Word Study → the enjoyment of lifeהַשִּׂמְחָ֔הhaś·śim·ḥāh — Joy, gladness, rejoicingH8057 — Full Word Study →, becauseאֲשֶׁ֨ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → there is nothingאֵֽין־’ên- — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → betterט֤וֹבṭō·wḇ — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study → for a manלָֽאָדָם֙lā·’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study → underתַּ֣חַתta·ḥaṯ — Under, beneath, instead of, in place ofH8478 — Full Word Study → the sunהַשֶּׁ֔מֶשׁhaš·še·meš — The sun; sunlight; dayH8121 — Full Word Study → thanכִּ֛יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → to eatלֶאֱכ֥וֹלle·’ĕ·ḵō·wl — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study → and drinkוְלִשְׁתּ֖וֹתwə·liš·tō·wṯ — to drink; consume liquidH8354 — Full Word Study → and be merryוְלִשְׂמ֑וֹחַwə·liś·mō·w·aḥ — To rejoice, be glad, make merryH8055 — Full Word Study →. For this joy will accompany himיִלְוֶ֣נּוּyil·wen·nū — To join, unite, or borrow; to cleave togetherH3867 — Full Word Study → in his laborבַעֲמָל֗וֹḇa·‘ă·mā·lōw — Labor, toil, trouble, or arduous workH5999 — Full Word Study → during the daysיְמֵ֥יyə·mê — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → of his lifeחַיָּ֛יוḥay·yāw — alive, living, lifeH2416 — Full Word Study → thatאֲשֶׁר־’ă·šer- — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → Godהָאֱלֹהִ֖יםhā·’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → givesנָֽתַן־nā·ṯan- — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → him underתַּ֥חַתta·ḥaṯ — Under, beneath, instead of, in place ofH8478 — Full Word Study → the sunהַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ׃haš·šā·meš — The sun; sunlight; dayH8121 — Full Word Study →. 16Whenכַּאֲשֶׁ֨רka·’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → I appliedנָתַ֤תִּיnā·ṯat·tî — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → my mindלִבִּי֙lib·bî — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study → to knowלָדַ֣עַתlā·ḏa·‘aṯ — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → wisdomחָכְמָ֔הḥāḵ·māh — Wisdom; skillful understanding and discernmentH2451 — Full Word Study → and to observeוְלִרְאוֹת֙wə·lir·’ō·wṯ — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → the taskהָ֣עִנְיָ֔ןhā·‘in·yān — task, business, or occupation; labor or work undertakenH6045 — Full Word Study → thatאֲשֶׁ֥ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → one performsנַעֲשָׂ֖הna·‘ă·śāh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → onעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the earthהָאָ֑רֶץhā·’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study →thoughכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → his eyesבְּעֵינָ֖יוbə·‘ê·nāw — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study → do notאֵינֶ֥נּוּ’ê·nen·nū — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → seeרֹאֶֽה׃rō·’eh — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → sleepשֵׁנָ֕הšê·nāh — sleep; slumber; restH8142 — Full Word Study → in the dayבַּיּוֹם֙bay·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → or even in the nightוּבַלַּ֔יְלָהū·ḇal·lay·lāh — Night, darkness, the period of darknessH3915 — Full Word Study → 17I sawוְרָאִיתִי֮wə·rā·’î·ṯî — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → everyכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → workמַעֲשֵׂ֣הma·‘ă·śêh — Work, deed, or actionH4639 — Full Word Study → of Godהָאֱלֹהִים֒hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →, and thatכִּי֩kî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → a manהָאָדָ֗םhā·’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study → is unableלֹ֨אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → to comprehendלִמְצוֹא֙lim·ṣō·w — to find, discover, obtainH4672 — Full Word Study → the workהַֽמַּעֲשֶׂה֙ham·ma·‘ă·śeh — Work, deed, or actionH4639 — Full Word Study → thatאֲשֶׁ֣ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → is doneנַעֲשָׂ֣הna·‘ă·śāh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → underתַֽחַת־ṯa·ḥaṯ- — Under, beneath, instead of, in place ofH8478 — Full Word Study → the sunהַשֶּׁ֔מֶשׁhaš·še·meš — The sun; sunlight; dayH8121 — Full Word Study →. Despite his effortsיַעֲמֹ֧לya·‘ă·mōl — to toil, labor, exert effortH5998 — Full Word Study → to search it outלְבַקֵּ֖שׁlə·ḇaq·qêš — To seek, search for, or request earnestlyH1245 — Full Word Study →, he cannotוְלֹ֣אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → find its meaning; evenוְגַ֨םwə·ḡam — also, even, moreover, both...andH1571 — Full Word Study → ifאִם־’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → the wiseהֶֽחָכָם֙he·ḥā·ḵām — Wise, skilled, or cunning in understanding and discernmentH2450 — Full Word Study → man claimsיֹאמַ֤רyō·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → to knowלָדַ֔עַתlā·ḏa·‘aṯ — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study →, he is unableלֹ֥אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → to comprehendלִמְצֹֽא׃lim·ṣō — to find, discover, obtainH4672 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — Ecclesiastes 8
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

In Ecclesiastes 8, Solomon continues his investigation into life "under the sun," now focusing on wisdom, authority, and the apparent injustices of the world. He observes that wisdom brings dignity and insight, but he also confronts the hard reality that human beings have limited control over life's circumstances—including death itself. The chapter wrestles with a profound tension: though God's moral order exists, its execution is often delayed, leading people to persist in evil. Yet Solomon affirms that fearing God remains the pathway to true well-being, even when earthly justice seems absent.

Verses 1–5: The Value and Limits of Wisdom

Solomon opens by celebrating wisdom's power. A wise person's understanding "maketh his face to shine" (v. 1)—wisdom brings observable dignity and confidence. Yet he quickly moves to a practical counsel: respect legitimate authority. In verses 2–5, he urges obedience to the king's commandment, "in regard of the oath of God." This phrase is crucial; we honor authority because God ordains it (Romans 13:1). Solomon recognizes that kings hold real power (v. 4), and foolish defiance brings harm. However, verse 5 offers a promise: those who keep wise commandments "shall feel no evil thing," and "a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment." In other words, wisdom includes knowing when and how to act—not just what rules to follow.

Application: Respect for godly authority and wise timing in our actions protect us from unnecessary trouble.

Verses 6–8: Human Helplessness in the Face of Uncertainty

Here Solomon confronts human limitation directly. Because there is "a time and judgment" for all things (v. 6), humans live under constant uncertainty and pressure—"the misery of man is great upon him." We do not know the future (v. 7); no one can predict when events will occur. Most starkly, verse 8 declares that no one has power over the spirit (or breath/life) to retain it, and no one escapes death. This is "war" without discharge or ceasefire. Even wickedness cannot deliver those trapped by it from death's certainty. This is not pessimism but realism—a humbling recognition of our creaturely dependence.

Application: Acknowledging our powerlessness over life and death drives us to trust God rather than ourselves.

Verses 9–13: The Problem of Delayed Justice

Solomon observes that earthly rule often harms the ruler (v. 9), and he sees the wicked buried and soon forgotten (v. 10)—their legacy is vanity. The heart of the problem emerges in verse 11: because God's judgment against evil is not executed immediately, people become emboldened to sin repeatedly. Yet—and this is Solomon's crucial affirmation—he *knows* by faith that "it shall be well with them that fear God" (v. 12). Though a sinner may prosper temporarily, the wicked will not truly prolong their days (v. 13). The fear of God, not earthly success, determines true welfare.

Application: When wickedness appears unpunished, faith in God's ultimate justice sustains the righteous.

Verses 14–17: Acceptance and the Limits of Knowledge

Solomon acknowledges the earth's apparent injustice (v. 14): righteous people sometimes suffer like the wicked, and vice versa. Yet rather than despair, he commends simple joy—eating, drinking, and finding gladness in one's labor (v. 15), as a gift from God. Finally, verses 16–17 return to the theme of unknowability: even the diligent wise cannot comprehend God's complete work. This is not frustration but humble recognition of divine transcendence.

Application: We find peace not by solving all mysteries but by receiving God's gifts with gratitude and accepting the limits of human understanding.

Application for Today

Ecclesiastes 8 speaks to modern believers struggling with injustice and uncertainty. We live in a world where the wicked sometimes prosper and the righteous sometimes suffer. Solomon's answer is neither to despair nor to trust in human systems, but to fear God, walk in wisdom, respect legitimate authority, and accept what lies beyond our control. Our confidence rests not on understanding all of God's work but on trusting His character and enjoying His gifts along the way.

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