Ecclesiastes 5 8

Ecclesiastes 5:8 kjv

If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.

Ecclesiastes 5:8 nkjv

If you see the oppression of the poor, and the violent perversion of justice and righteousness in a province, do not marvel at the matter; for high official watches over high official, and higher officials are over them.

Ecclesiastes 5:8 niv

If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still.

Ecclesiastes 5:8 esv

If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them.

Ecclesiastes 5:8 nlt

Don't be surprised if you see a poor person being oppressed by the powerful and if justice is being miscarried throughout the land. For every official is under orders from higher up, and matters of justice get lost in red tape and bureaucracy.

Ecclesiastes 5 verses

Ecclesiastes 5 8 Meaning

Ecclesiastes 5:8 instructs the observer not to be astonished or surprised by the pervasive injustice, oppression of the poor, and corruption of legal and moral standards found within administrative regions. This lack of surprise is explained by the hierarchical structure of authority: there are always higher officials observing the lower ones, and even higher authorities above them. The verse acknowledges the reality of systemic injustice while suggesting it is part of an organized, though often corrupt, system of governance, pointing to the layered nature of human power and accountability within an earthly sphere.

Ecclesiastes 5 8 Context

Ecclesiastes 5:8 follows Qoheleth's observations on worship (5:1-7), where he counsels reverence, thoughtfulness, and the keeping of vows before God. The transition to civic injustice highlights the stark contrast between human promises to God and the broken promises and perversion of justice among humans. This verse is nestled within a larger section (Eccl 5:8-6:12) that explores the "vanity" associated with wealth, power, and the pursuit of satisfaction under the sun, particularly in how these aspects relate to social injustice and economic exploitation. The phrase "in a province" (בַּמְּדִינָה, bammədinah) grounds the observation in a specific administrative setting, reflecting a time when Israel was part of a larger imperial system (likely the Achaemenid Persian Empire or a Hellenistic successor), where multi-layered governmental structures, tax collection, and official corruption were common experiences for the populace. Qoheleth, ever the realist, frames this observation not as an anomaly but as an understandable, if disheartening, part of a system where officials watch over one another, often leading to a complex web of oversight that can itself facilitate rather than eradicate oppression.

Ecclesiastes 5 8 Word analysis

• If you see (כִּי־תִרְאֶה, ki-tireh): Introduces a conditional observation, emphasizing that the injustice is a common, perceptible reality. It is not an unusual event but something expected within human systems.
• the oppression (עֹשֶׁק, osheq): Refers to unlawful extortion, fraud, or wrongdoing. It implies taking what rightfully belongs to another through coercion or unfair advantage, specifically targeting the vulnerable. It signifies more than simple wrongdoing; it points to systematic exploitation.
• of the poor (רָשׁ, rash): Denotes the economically disadvantaged, weak, and vulnerable segments of society who are most susceptible to exploitation due to their lack of resources, influence, and legal protection.
• and the violent perversion (וְגֵזֶל מִשְׁפָּט, vegezel mishpat): "Gezel" (גֵזֶל) means robbery, plundering, or taking by force. When combined with "mishpat," it signifies the outright theft or violent seizure of justice itself. Justice is not merely denied or delayed but actively plundered and twisted.
• of justice (מִשְׁפָּט, mishpat): Represents fair judgment, legal rights, and proper conduct in the judicial and social spheres. It encapsulates the ideal of equity and moral order. Its "perversion" means that legal processes and moral standards are deliberately distorted to benefit the powerful.
• and righteousness (וָצֶדֶק, vatsedeq): Refers to ethical rectitude, moral integrity, and acting in conformity with God's law. Its corruption means the entire moral fabric of society is compromised, alongside legal processes.
• in a province (בַּמְּדִינָה, bammədinah): Specifies the setting as an administrative region or district, indicative of a governmental structure larger than a local village or tribe. This term reflects the later periods of Israelite history under foreign empires (e.g., Persian or Hellenistic).
• do not marvel (אַל־תִּתְמַהּ, al-titmah): A strong negative command, urging against astonishment, surprise, or being overwhelmed by the observation. It suggests such injustices are so common that they should not shock a wise person.
• at the matter (עַל־הַחֵפֶץ, al-hachefetẓ): Refers to the occurrence, event, or phenomenon just described – the widespread injustice and corruption.

• If you see... and the violent perversion of justice and righteousness in a province: This entire phrase presents a common, almost systemic, problem in public life. The combination of "oppression of the poor" and "violent perversion of justice" depicts a severe, institutionalized form of corruption where legal and ethical principles are overtly violated against the vulnerable. The setting "in a province" highlights the broad scope of this issue within a governmental hierarchy.
• Do not marvel at the matter, for a higher official is watching, and still higher officials are above them: This clause provides the justification for not being surprised. It paints a picture of hierarchical surveillance and accountability within the human system. It can be interpreted in a few ways:
  • Layers of Corruption: That corruption often exists at multiple levels; even if one official is "watching," they might themselves be part of the corrupt system or are powerless to act, knowing they are watched by others higher up who also operate with self-interest.
  • Superficial Accountability: That higher officials do indeed watch, but perhaps not to enforce justice, but to maintain control, collect taxes, or ensure the lower officials serve their interests, which might include perpetuating the existing exploitation.
  • Cold Reality: It's a starkly realistic assessment that human power structures inherently lead to such issues, as authority tends to create self-serving systems, and a complex hierarchy does not automatically guarantee justice.
  It is a pragmatic, observational statement about how human governmental structures operate, a part of Qoheleth's "under the sun" wisdom. It leads the reader not to naive outrage but to a deeper, more resigned understanding of earthly systems.

Ecclesiastes 5 8 Bonus section

This verse reflects Qoheleth's overall philosophical realism regarding life "under the sun." He consistently grapples with the brokenness of human systems and the lack of ultimate, perfect justice within the temporal sphere. The observation that there is "one higher than the high that watches" implicitly suggests a cosmic framework for justice, even if this specific verse focuses on the earthly administrative hierarchy. It invites a reader familiar with Old Testament theology to consider a truly ultimate 'higher official' – God Himself – who ultimately oversees all human systems and holds all rulers accountable (compare Ps 82; Rom 13:1-7). However, the verse's direct emphasis remains on human political structures, highlighting that corruption and oversight are intrinsic features of fallen governance. This statement acts as a polemic against idealistic views of governance that would presume justice is the natural outcome of administrative layers; instead, it indicates that power tends to concentrate and often leads to exploitation.

Ecclesiastes 5 8 Commentary

Ecclesiastes 5:8 offers a sober, realistic perspective on the nature of governance in a fallen world. Qoheleth, the Preacher, is not encouraging complacency towards injustice but is rather instructing wisdom and discernment. His counsel to "not marvel" signifies that systemic oppression and the corruption of justice are not anomalies, but recurring patterns in human institutions. The verse reveals a multi-tiered hierarchy where "a higher official is watching, and still higher officials are above them." This network of oversight could suggest either a system where everyone is ultimately accountable to an even higher authority, providing a measure of control (even if imperfect), or it could depict a grim reality where corruption flows from the top down, with each layer watching merely to maintain its own power and illicit gain. It teaches that expecting perfect justice from human systems is naive; earthly power structures are inherently prone to injustice, making the widespread observation of such corruption less surprising for the wise observer. It does not diminish the wickedness of the act but tempers the shock with a dose of realism about human nature and political realities.