Bible Commentaries
Ecclesiastes 8

Introduction

Overview

Ecclesiastes 8:1, True wisdom is modest; Ecclesiastes 8:2, Kings are to be respected; Ecclesiastes 8:6, Divine providence is to be observed; Ecclesiastes 8:12, It is better with the godly in adversity, than with the wicked in prosperity; Ecclesiastes 8:16, The work of God is unsearchable.

Verse 1

as the: Ecclesiastes 2:13, Ecclesiastes 2:14, 1 Corinthians 2:13-16

who knoweth: Genesis 40:8, Genesis 41:15, Genesis 41:16, Genesis 41:38, Genesis 41:39, Job 33:23, Proverbs 1:6, Daniel 2:28-30, Daniel 2:47, Daniel 4:18, Daniel 4:19, 2 Peter 1:20

a man's: Exodus 34:29, Exodus 34:30, Proverbs 4:8, Proverbs 4:9, Proverbs 17:24, Proverbs 24:5, Matthew 17:2, Acts 6:15

and the: Deuteronomy 28:50, Acts 4:13, Acts 4:29, Ephesians 6:19

boldness: Heb. strength, 2 Timothy 4:17

Reciprocal: Exodus 34:35 - General Psalms 104:15 - oil to make his Proverbs 12:8 - commended Proverbs 24:23 - things James 3:13 - is a

Verse 2

I counsel: Proverbs 24:21, Romans 13:1-4, Titus 3:1, 1 Peter 2:13-17

in regard: 1 Kings 2:43, 1 Chronicles 29:24, Ezekiel 17:13-20, Romans 13:5

Reciprocal: Genesis 45:21 - commandment Joshua 9:19 - We have 2 Kings 23:3 - And all 1 Chronicles 29:23 - all Israel 2 Chronicles 34:32 - caused Psalms 55:20 - broken Ecclesiastes 8:5 - keepeth Romans 13:4 - he is 1 Timothy 2:2 - that 1 Peter 2:17 - Fear Revelation 3:18 - counsel

Verse 3

not hasty: Ecclesiastes 10:4, Proverbs 14:29

stand: 1 Kings 1:50-52, 1 Kings 2:21-24, Isaiah 48:4, Jeremiah 44:16, Jeremiah 44:17, Acts 5:8, Acts 5:9

for: Proverbs 16:14, Proverbs 16:15, Proverbs 30:31, Daniel 4:35, Daniel 5:19

Reciprocal: Proverbs 30:32 - thou hast done

Verse 4

the word: 1 Kings 2:25, 1 Kings 2:29-34, 1 Kings 2:46, Proverbs 19:12, Proverbs 20:2, Proverbs 30:31, Daniel 3:15, Luke 12:4, Luke 12:5, Romans 13:1-4

What: Job 33:12, Job 33:13, Job 34:18, Job 34:19, Romans 9:20

Reciprocal: Exodus 1:18 - Why have 2 Samuel 16:10 - Who shall 2 Samuel 24:4 - the king's 1 Kings 21:7 - Dost thou now 1 Chronicles 21:4 - the king's Esther 8:10 - in the king Proverbs 30:32 - lay Matthew 7:29 - having Hebrews 1:3 - the word

Verse 5

keepeth: Ecclesiastes 8:2, Exodus 1:17, Exodus 1:20, Exodus 1:21, Psalms 119:6, Hosea 5:11, Luke 20:25, Acts 4:19, Acts 5:29, Romans 13:5-7, 1 Peter 3:13, 1 Peter 3:14

feel: Heb. know

a wise: Ecclesiastes 2:14, Ecclesiastes 10:2, 1 Chronicles 12:32, Proverbs 17:24, Luke 12:56, Luke 12:57, 1 Corinthians 2:14, 1 Corinthians 2:15, Philippians 1:9, Philippians 1:10, Colossians 1:9, Hebrews 5:14

Reciprocal: Proverbs 13:23 - destroyed Proverbs 19:16 - keepeth the Ecclesiastes 3:1 - every thing Ecclesiastes 9:12 - man 1 Corinthians 11:29 - not James 3:13 - is a 1 John 2:5 - whoso

Verse 6

to every: Ecclesiastes 3:1, Ecclesiastes 3:11, Ecclesiastes 3:17, Ecclesiastes 7:13, Ecclesiastes 7:14

therefore: Ecclesiastes 11:9, Ecclesiastes 11:10, Ecclesiastes 12:1, Isaiah 3:11-14, Isaiah 22:12-14, Luke 13:25, Luke 17:26-30, Luke 19:42-44, Hebrews 3:7-11

Reciprocal: Job 10:13 - hid Job 24:1 - seeing Proverbs 13:23 - destroyed Proverbs 15:22 - General

Verse 7

he knoweth: Ecclesiastes 6:12, Ecclesiastes 9:12, Ecclesiastes 10:14, Proverbs 24:22, Proverbs 29:1, Matthew 24:44, Matthew 24:50, Matthew 25:6-13, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3

when: or, how

Reciprocal: Job 10:13 - hid Job 24:1 - seeing Ecclesiastes 3:22 - who Ecclesiastes 8:16 - When I

Verse 8

is no: Ecclesiastes 3:21, 2 Samuel 14:14, Job 14:5, Job 34:14, Psalms 49:6-9, Psalms 89:48, Hebrews 9:27

power: 1 Corinthians 15:43, 2 Corinthians 13:4

discharge: or, casting off weapons, Deuteronomy 20:1-8, 2 Kings 7:15

neither: Psalms 9:17, Psalms 52:5-7, Psalms 73:18-28, Proverbs 14:32, Isaiah 28:15, Isaiah 28:18

Reciprocal: Job 3:14 - kings Job 3:19 - The small Job 7:1 - an appointed time Job 14:20 - prevailest Job 21:16 - Lo Job 21:33 - every man Job 30:23 - the house Psalms 49:9 - That he Psalms 52:7 - strengthened Psalms 56:7 - escape Proverbs 12:2 - good Ecclesiastes 12:8 - General Isaiah 47:10 - thou hast said Ezekiel 7:13 - the seller 1 Corinthians 15:55 - is thy victory

Verse 9

this: Ecclesiastes 1:14, Ecclesiastes 3:10, Ecclesiastes 4:7, Ecclesiastes 4:8, Ecclesiastes 7:25

there is: Ecclesiastes 5:8, Ecclesiastes 5:13, Exodus 14:5-9, Exodus 14:28, Deuteronomy 2:30, 2 Kings 14:10-12, 2 Kings 25:7

Reciprocal: Proverbs 2:2 - apply Proverbs 22:17 - apply Proverbs 24:30 - went Ecclesiastes 1:13 - I gave Ecclesiastes 8:16 - When I

Verse 10

so: 2 Kings 9:34, 2 Kings 9:35, Job 21:18, Job 21:32, Job 21:33, Luke 16:22

the place: Psalms 122:1-5, Acts 6:13

they were: Ecclesiastes 2:16, Ecclesiastes 9:5, Psalms 31:12, Proverbs 10:7, Jeremiah 17:13, Hebrews 10:38

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 13:31 - lay my bones Job 24:20 - he shall be Psalms 34:16 - to cut Psalms 88:12 - in the land

Verse 11

sentence: Exodus 8:15, Exodus 8:32, Job 21:11-15, Psalms 10:6, Psalms 50:21, Psalms 50:22, Isaiah 5:18, Isaiah 5:19, Isaiah 26:10, Isaiah 57:11, Jeremiah 48:11, Matthew 24:49, Matthew 24:50, Romans 2:4, Romans 2:5, 2 Peter 3:3-10

fully: Jeremiah 42:15

Reciprocal: Exodus 9:34 - saw Joshua 8:6 - They flee Judges 20:34 - knew not 2 Samuel 20:22 - And Joab 1 Kings 2:6 - let 1 Kings 2:24 - put 1 Kings 14:14 - but what Job 24:12 - yet God Job 24:23 - whereon Psalms 4:2 - O Psalms 10:11 - God Psalms 55:19 - no changes Psalms 73:6 - Therefore Ecclesiastes 9:3 - also Ecclesiastes 9:12 - man Isaiah 42:14 - long time Jeremiah 34:11 - General Jeremiah 41:15 - escaped Ezekiel 11:9 - and will Daniel 4:29 - end Amos 6:3 - put Amos 9:10 - The evil Malachi 2:17 - Where Matthew 24:48 - My Romans 9:22 - endured 2 Peter 3:4 - where

Verse 12

a sinner: Ecclesiastes 5:16, Ecclesiastes 7:15, 1 Kings 2:5-9, 1 Kings 21:25, 1 Kings 22:34, 1 Kings 22:35, Proverbs 13:21, Isaiah 65:20, Romans 2:5, Romans 9:22, 2 Peter 2:9

surely: Ecclesiastes 7:18, Psalms 37:11, Psalms 37:18, Psalms 37:19, Psalms 112:1, Psalms 115:13, Proverbs 1:32, Proverbs 1:33, Isaiah 3:10, Isaiah 3:11, Isaiah 65:13, Isaiah 65:14, Isaiah 65:20-24, Matthew 25:34, Matthew 25:41-46, Luke 1:50

fear before: Ecclesiastes 3:14, 1 Chronicles 16:30, Psalms 96:9

Reciprocal: Genesis 4:7 - If thou doest well Genesis 18:25 - that the Genesis 22:12 - now Exodus 1:17 - feared God Exodus 1:20 - God Exodus 1:21 - made them Deuteronomy 6:3 - and observe Joshua 2:9 - I know Judges 20:34 - knew not 2 Kings 4:1 - thy servant did fear 2 Kings 9:24 - smote Job 24:12 - yet God Psalms 32:10 - Many Psalms 50:21 - I kept Psalms 73:17 - then Psalms 128:2 - and it shall Ecclesiastes 5:7 - but Ecclesiastes 9:2 - as is Ecclesiastes 11:8 - General Ecclesiastes 12:13 - Fear Isaiah 42:14 - long time Jeremiah 15:11 - Verily it Jeremiah 16:12 - evil Jeremiah 41:15 - escaped Jeremiah 44:10 - neither Matthew 10:28 - him Colossians 3:22 - fearing 1 Timothy 4:8 - having Revelation 11:18 - and them

Verse 13

it shall: Job 18:5, Job 20:5, Job 21:30, Psalms 11:5, Isaiah 57:21, Malachi 3:18, Matthew 13:49, Matthew 13:50, John 5:29

neither: Psalms 55:23, Isaiah 30:13, 2 Peter 2:3

as a: Ecclesiastes 6:12, Job 7:6, Job 7:7, Job 14:2, Psalms 39:5, Psalms 144:4, James 4:14

Reciprocal: Genesis 4:7 - If thou doest well Genesis 18:25 - that the Genesis 22:12 - now Deuteronomy 17:20 - right hand 1 Samuel 15:7 - smote 2 Kings 9:24 - smote Job 27:13 - the portion Psalms 73:17 - then Psalms 109:23 - gone Ecclesiastes 7:15 - there is a wicked Isaiah 3:11 - Woe Jeremiah 44:10 - neither Ezekiel 33:8 - O wicked Matthew 10:28 - him

Verse 14

a vanity: Ecclesiastes 4:4, Ecclesiastes 4:8, Ecclesiastes 9:3, Ecclesiastes 10:5

there be just: Ecclesiastes 2:14, Ecclesiastes 7:15, Ecclesiastes 9:1-3, Job 9:22-24, Job 21:17-34, Job 24:21-25, Psalms 73:13, Psalms 73:14, Malachi 3:15

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 21:14 - Naboth is stoned 2 Kings 23:29 - slew him 2 Chronicles 35:24 - died Job 27:12 - ye yourselves

Verse 15

Then I: Some consider this as the cavil of an infidel objector, equivalent to the Epicurean maxim, Ede, bibe, lude; post mortem nulla voluptas, "Eat, drink, and play; there is no pleasure after death." But it may be regarded as a recommendation of a moderate use of worldly things, with a cheerful and contented mind; which may justly be considered as the greatest advantage which can be made of all below the sun, and amidst all changes, such a frame of mind, if the result of right principles, may and ought to be preserved; and it will be the recompence and solace of all our labours and toils. Ecclesiastes 2:24, Ecclesiastes 3:12, Ecclesiastes 3:13, Ecclesiastes 3:22, Ecclesiastes 5:18, Ecclesiastes 9:7-9, 1 Timothy 4:3, 1 Timothy 4:4, 1 Timothy 6:17

Reciprocal: Genesis 25:34 - eat Ruth 3:7 - his heart 1 Chronicles 29:22 - eat and drink Ecclesiastes 1:3 - under Ecclesiastes 2:1 - I will Ecclesiastes 2:22 - hath man Ecclesiastes 11:8 - rejoice

Verse 16

When I: Solomon here records the result of his perplexing inquiries into the affairs of men, and the purposes, providence, and works of God. And when he examined with great attention and diligence into the works of God, he found he could neither comprehend nor explain them; and was persuaded, that no application or capacity would enable a man to fathom the depth of the Divine dispensations in this lower world. How vain, then, are all cavils against Divine providence; when we can neither understand, nor comprehend it! Ecclesiastes 8:9, Ecclesiastes 8:7, Ecclesiastes 7:25

there is that: Ecclesiastes 2:23, Ecclesiastes 4:8, Ecclesiastes 5:12, Genesis 31:40, Psalms 127:2

Reciprocal: Job 28:13 - knoweth Psalms 121:4 - shall Proverbs 2:2 - apply Proverbs 22:17 - apply Ecclesiastes 1:13 - I gave Ecclesiastes 9:1 - considered in my heart Ecclesiastes 9:13 - General Luke 6:30 - Give

Verse 17

that a man: Ecclesiastes 3:11, Ecclesiastes 7:23, Ecclesiastes 7:24, Ecclesiastes 11:5, Job 5:9, Job 11:7-9, Psalms 40:5, Psalms 73:16, Psalms 104:24, Proverbs 30:3, Proverbs 30:4, Isaiah 40:28, Romans 11:33

Reciprocal: Job 28:13 - knoweth Job 37:7 - that Ecclesiastes 1:13 - I gave Mark 4:27 - and grow