Ecclesiastes 8:13 kjv
But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.
Ecclesiastes 8:13 nkjv
But it will not be well with the wicked; nor will he prolong his days, which are as a shadow, because he does not fear before God.
Ecclesiastes 8:13 niv
Yet because the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them, and their days will not lengthen like a shadow.
Ecclesiastes 8:13 esv
But it will not be well with the wicked, neither will he prolong his days like a shadow, because he does not fear before God.
Ecclesiastes 8:13 nlt
The wicked will not prosper, for they do not fear God. Their days will never grow long like the evening shadows.
Ecclesiastes 8 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 1:4-6 | The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind… | Wicked perish; Lord knows the righteous. |
| Psa 37:1-2 | Fret not yourself because of evildoers; soon fade like… | Wicked temporary; cut off. |
| Psa 37:9-10 | Evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the… | Wicked will be no more. |
| Psa 37:20 | The wicked will perish; like the glory of the fields,… | Wicked consume away. |
| Psa 73:17-19 | Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I perceived… | Wicked’s destruction suddenly. |
| Pro 2:22 | The wicked will be cut off from the land, and the faithless… | Wicked uprooted from the earth. |
| Pro 10:27 | The fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked… | Fear of Lord prolongs life, wicked short. |
| Job 8:11-13 | Can a papyrus grow up without mire? So are the paths of… | Hope of wicked perishes. |
| Isa 3:11 | Woe to the wicked! It shall be ill with him, for what his hands… | Ill for the wicked. |
| Rom 2:8-9 | But for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth… | Wrath for disobedient wicked. |
| Deu 4:40 | Keep his statutes… so that it may go well with you and… | Well-being from obedience. |
| Deu 5:16 | Honor your father and your mother… that your days may be prolonged… | Longevity for honor/obedience. |
| Deu 6:2 | That you may fear the Lord your God, to keep all His… that… | Fear of Lord brings long life. |
| Psa 34:11-14 | Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear… | Fear God to enjoy long life and good days. |
| Pro 3:1-2 | My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep… | Longevity from wisdom/Torah. |
| Pro 9:11 | For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added… | Wisdom (fear of Lord) multiplies days. |
| Psa 90:10 | The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of… | Life is fleeting; swiftly gone. |
| Psa 102:11 | My days are like a lengthening shadow; I wither away… | Life as a passing shadow. |
| Jas 4:14 | You are a mist that appears for a little time and then… | Life as a vapor. |
| Pro 1:7 | The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise… | Fear of Lord is knowledge's beginning. |
| Pro 9:10 | The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge… | Fear of Lord is wisdom's beginning. |
| Job 28:28 | Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to turn… | Fear of Lord is wisdom. |
| Matt 10:28 | And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the… | Fear God, not men. |
Ecclesiastes 8 verses
Ecclesiastes 8 13 Meaning
Ecclesiastes 8:13 declares that it will not ultimately go well for the wicked, nor will they truly experience a prolonged and meaningful life, which is described as fleeting like a shadow. The fundamental reason for their dire end and insubstantial existence is their lack of reverence or obedience towards God. This verse provides a resolution to the apparent paradox observed by the Preacher, where the wicked sometimes seem to prosper in the present. It asserts that true well-being and genuine longevity are denied to those who live in defiance of the Divine.
Ecclesiastes 8 13 Context
Ecclesiastes 8:13 immediately follows verse 12, which acknowledges the long life of a sinner ("Though a sinner does evil a hundred times and prolongs his life"). However, verse 12 then offers a critical counterpoint: "yet I know that it will be well with those who fear God, because they fear before him." Verse 13 directly contrasts this by stating the fate of those who do not fear God, serving as the inverse. The Preacher (Qoheleth) wrestles throughout Ecclesiastes with the observation that earthly justice is often lacking, and the wicked can seemingly prosper (e.g., 7:15, 8:14). This verse provides a theological resolution, asserting God's ultimate justice, even if it is not always apparent in the immediate temporal sphere. It assures the audience that despite surface appearances, a life without reverence for God carries a profound spiritual and existential cost, culminating in a negative end and an unfulfilled, temporary existence.
Ecclesiastes 8 13 Word analysis
- But: This conjunction (Hebrew: vav - וְ) marks a strong contrast, serving as a decisive pivot from the earlier contemplation of the apparent success of the wicked in verse 12 to a definitive declaration of their ultimate doom and insubstantial existence.
- it shall not be well: (Hebrew: lo' yiheyéh-ṭōwḇ - לֹא־יִהְיֶה־טוֹב). "Well" (ṭōwḇ) implies good, beneficial, proper, prosperous, or blessed. The negation "not well" indicates the opposite: a state of ill-being, misfortune, spiritual emptiness, and ultimate judgment, devoid of God's blessing. This contrasts directly with the "it will be well" for the fearers of God in the preceding verse.
- with the wicked: (Hebrew: lā-rāshā‘ - לָרָשָׁע). The Hebrew word rasha‘ refers to one who is guilty, in the wrong, unrighteous, or lawless. It signifies a person whose life and actions are in opposition to God's will and covenant, often marked by a disregard for moral principles and divine commands. It's not just "bad people" but those actively opposing divine standards.
- neither shall he prolong his days: (Hebrew: wĕlō’ ya’ărîḵ yāmîm - וְלֹא־יַאֲרִיךְ יָמִים). This phrase can be interpreted in a few ways: literally, a short lifespan; or, more deeply, a life that lacks genuine substance, spiritual meaning, or divine blessing, even if chronologically long. It speaks to a life that is cut short in terms of impact, joy, or eternal significance. In the broader Biblical context, true "long life" is associated with wisdom, righteousness, and obedience to God.
- which are as a shadow: (Hebrew: kaṣṣêl - כַּצֵּל). The image of a "shadow" emphasizes the ephemeral, unsubstantial, and fleeting nature of life, a recurrent theme (hevel or "vanity") in Ecclesiastes. A shadow has no real substance, leaves no lasting trace, and quickly vanishes. For the wicked, their "prolonged days" are no true prolongation, as they pass without lasting benefit, meaning, or connection to eternity. Their life is empty, even if protracted.
- because he feareth not before God: (Hebrew: ’ăšer ’ênenū yārē’ millip̄nê ’ĕlōhîm - אֲשֶׁר אֵינֶנּוּ יָרֵא מִלִּפְנֵי אֱלֹהִים). This is the root cause. "Fearing God" is a foundational biblical concept for true wisdom and righteous living, involving profound reverence, awe, obedience, and submission to His authority and moral will. To "not fear before God" signifies a lack of reverence, open rebellion, disregard for His commands, and a life lived as if God does not exist or will not hold one accountable. It encapsulates a spirit of independence and defiance from divine rule.
Ecclesiastes 8 13 Bonus section
This verse hints at a concept of ultimate judgment beyond the immediate observations of human life, providing a theological assurance of cosmic justice. While Ecclesiastes predominantly focuses on the 'under the sun' reality, verses like 8:13, coupled with the book's concluding emphasis on fearing God and keeping His commandments (12:13-14), underscore an enduring divine reckoning. The "shadow" metaphor also relates to the emptiness (hevel) Qoheleth frequently describes. For the wicked, even prolonged life is "hevel"—insubstantial, vain, and ultimately unfulfilling. Their existence leaves no positive, eternal mark. This aligns with broader biblical teachings that true life and blessing come from relationship with the Creator, while life separated from Him is inherently cursed, no matter how long or seemingly successful it appears in worldly terms.
Ecclesiastes 8 13 Commentary
Ecclesiastes 8:13 provides a critical resolution to Qoheleth's wrestling with life's inequalities and the apparent injustice of the wicked's temporary prosperity. While some biblical texts speak of literal short lifespans for the wicked, this verse, within Ecclesiastes, often leans into a more nuanced interpretation. The statement "it shall not be well with the wicked" declares an ultimate divine judgment and a lack of true blessing. This goes beyond mere material fortune or physical longevity. It signifies an inherent state of spiritual and existential deprivation. Their "days" being "as a shadow" means their existence, regardless of its duration, lacks ultimate value, lasting impact, or genuine joy derived from a right relationship with God. It emphasizes the quality and meaning of life rather than merely its quantity. The core reason for this negative fate is their fundamental refusal to "fear before God"—a life lived without awe, reverence, obedience, or a proper acknowledgment of divine authority. This is a theological underpinning for a truly fulfilling existence. Thus, the verse reassures the righteous and warns the unrighteous that ultimate well-being and a substantial life are eternally tied to humble submission to God.