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 advises against surprise or shock when encountering the oppression of the vulnerable and the perversion of justice and righteousness within governmental districts. This disillusioning reality is explained by the hierarchical nature of earthly authority: officials are continuously overseen by other officials, and those in turn by still higher authorities. This intricate chain of command often operates in a way that allows injustice to persist, indicating a systemic lack of true accountability or a network of complicity within human governance structures "under the sun."

Ecclesiastes 5 8 Context

Ecclesiastes 5:8 is part of Qoheleth’s broader reflections on life "under the sun," particularly concerning the limitations and disappointments inherent in human systems and pursuits. It follows a section (5:1-7) dealing with reverence towards God, urging carefulness in speech and vows, then shifts to societal observations. This verse serves as a crucial component of Qoheleth’s cynical, yet realistic, appraisal of justice in the temporal world. He highlights the common reality of bureaucratic injustice, linking it to the hierarchical nature of government. Historically, this observation resonates with administrative realities in ancient Near Eastern empires, like the Persian Empire, where large provinces were governed by officials (medinah) whose power, while vast, was always subject to higher authority, often resulting in a complex system where corruption could be tolerated or perpetuated through various levels.

Ecclesiastes 5 8 Word analysis

• If you see (כִּי־תִרְאֶה, ki-tireh): Translated "if you see," this suggests "when you see," pointing to an expected and frequent observation rather than a hypothetical one.
• the oppression (עֹשֶׁק, `osheq): Refers to unjust gain, exploitation, or robbery committed through an abuse of power. It signifies actions that are systematically damaging and unfair to the vulnerable.
• of the poor (דָּל, dal): Denotes the weak, humble, or impoverished, highlighting their vulnerability and lack of power against those who exploit them.
• and the denial of justice (וּמִשְׁפָּט, u-mishpat): Mishpat means legal justice, judgment, or what is due. The accompanying context implies a twisting or perversion of legal processes and judgments, making rightful recourse unavailable.
• and righteousness (וָצֶדֶק, va-tzedeq): Tzedeq refers to moral uprightness, ethical conduct, or fair dealing. Paired with mishpat, it indicates a complete breakdown of both legal and moral standards.
• in a province (בַּמְּדִינָה, ba-medinah): Refers to an administrative region or district within a larger empire, pinpointing the governmental arena where this injustice occurs.
• do not be shocked at the matter (אַל־תִּתְמַהּ עַל־הַחֵפֶץ, al-titmah al-ha-chephetz): Literally "do not marvel at the thing." It's an exhortation to not be surprised or astonished, underscoring Qoheleth's assertion that such injustice is an inherent and expected feature of human governance in a fallen world.
• for the high official watches over another high official (כִּי גָּבֹהַּ מֵעַל גָּבֹהַּ שֹׁמֵר, ki gavoha me`al gavoha shomer): Gavoha means "high" or "elevated one" (an official). The phrase literally translates as "for high one above high one watches." Shomer means "watches," "guards," or "oversees." This structure describes a chain of command where powerful officials monitor or protect those just below them. This "watching" is often not for the sake of true justice, but for maintaining power, self-interest, or protecting one's network, which then allows oppression to continue unchecked.
• and higher officials are over them (וּגְבֹהִים עֲלֵיהֶם, u-gvoiyim aleihem): Gvoiyim (plural of gavoha) signifies still more elevated officials. This reinforces the layered bureaucracy. The meaning suggests that the pervasive nature of injustice is linked to the fact that power extends upwards; accountability is thus compromised within the system, as those who could potentially rectify wrongs may themselves be implicated, compromised, or simply perpetuate the systemic corruption.

Words-Group Analysis

• "the oppression of the poor and the denial of justice and righteousness": This phrase paints a complete picture of societal and legal breakdown. It emphasizes that the suffering isn't accidental but results from systemic abuse of authority, where the vulnerable are deprived of fundamental rights and fairness.
• "do not be shocked at the matter": This crucial instruction sets the tone for understanding human affairs from Qoheleth's perspective. It's a pragmatic warning against naïve idealism concerning justice on Earth. He wants his audience to temper expectations to avoid constant disillusionment.
• "for the high official watches over another high official, and higher officials are over them": This describes the operational reality behind the lack of justice. The hierarchical surveillance and mutual oversight among officials—extending from local to national levels—is presented not as a means to ensure righteousness but as a mechanism that allows or perpetuates injustice. It illustrates how power layers often protect each other rather than ensuring accountability or fairness to the common populace.

Ecclesiastes 5 8 Bonus section

The wisdom in Ecclesiastes 5:8 provides more than a lament; it's a realistic spiritual guide:

• Avoid Naiveté: This verse serves as a preventative measure against despair for believers who might expect perfect justice in all earthly institutions. It sets realistic expectations for the realities of governance in a fallen world.
• Perspective on Suffering: Understanding this systemic issue helps those who suffer oppression to place their pain within the broader biblical understanding of a fallen world, not as an arbitrary individual anomaly, but as part of a pervasive pattern, which God ultimately sees.
• Implied Higher Accountability: While the verse focuses on earthly hierarchies, the pervasive theme in the Bible is that ultimately, there is an infinitely "Higher Official" – God Himself – who watches over all, and to whom all human authority figures are ultimately accountable (Rom 13:1-7; Psa 82). This offers a profound source of hope beyond what corrupt human systems can provide.

Ecclesiastes 5 8 Commentary

Ecclesiastes 5:8 is Qoheleth's incisive observation on the deeply entrenched nature of injustice in worldly governments. Rather than being astonished by corruption, which leads to the suffering of the poor and the subversion of legal processes, the wise person is urged to accept it as an inherent characteristic of fallen human systems. The intricate hierarchy of officials, each "watching" over another, implies a system where accountability is not easily achieved from within. This mutual surveillance or oversight often translates into protection of vested interests and the perpetuation of the status quo, rather than an active pursuit of justice for the oppressed. The verse does not offer a worldly solution but highlights the futility of seeking ultimate justice solely "under the sun," thereby implicitly pointing the thoughtful observer towards a greater, divine justice that transcends these flawed human structures. This insight helps temper one's expectations, fostering realism without necessarily inviting passivity in the face of injustice, but rather a proper focus on God’s sovereignty.