Ecclesiastes 8:14 kjv
There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity.
Ecclesiastes 8:14 nkjv
There is a vanity which occurs on earth, that there are just men to whom it happens according to the work of the wicked; again, there are wicked men to whom it happens according to the work of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity.
Ecclesiastes 8:14 niv
There is something else meaningless that occurs on earth: the righteous who get what the wicked deserve, and the wicked who get what the righteous deserve. This too, I say, is meaningless.
Ecclesiastes 8:14 esv
There is a vanity that takes place on earth, that there are righteous people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the wicked, and there are wicked people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity.
Ecclesiastes 8:14 nlt
And this is not all that is meaningless in our world. In this life, good people are often treated as though they were wicked, and wicked people are often treated as though they were good. This is so meaningless!
Ecclesiastes 8 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 73:2-3 | But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. | Righteous struggling with wicked prosperity |
| Ps 73:16-17 | When I pondered how to understand this, it was troublesome in my sight, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I perceived their end. | Understanding comes from divine perspective |
| Job 21:7 | Why do the wicked live, reach old age, and grow mighty in power? | Questioning the prosperity of the wicked |
| Jer 12:1 | Righteous are you, O Lord, when I complain to you; yet I would plead my case before you. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? | Lament over wicked prospering |
| Hab 1:4 | So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted. | Perversion of justice observed |
| Mal 3:15 | And now we call the arrogant blessed; evildoers not only prosper but also put God to the test and escape. | Blessing of the arrogant |
| Eccl 7:15 | In my vain life I have seen everything. There is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his evildoing. | Echoes 8:14's observation of injustice |
| Eccl 9:2 | It is the same for all, for the righteous and for the wicked... | Common fate for all |
| Prov 10:3 | The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry, but he overthrows the desire of the wicked. | Traditional retribution often challenged |
| Isa 55:8-9 | For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways... | God's incomprehensible ways |
| Rom 8:28 | And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. | Divine purpose beyond earthly injustice |
| 1 Cor 4:5 | Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes... | God's final judgment and true justice |
| 2 Cor 4:17-18 | For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen... | Earthly suffering against eternal glory |
| 1 Pet 4:17-18 | For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And "If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" | Suffering of the righteous points to greater judgment |
| Matt 5:45 | For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. | Universal divine provision |
| Rev 22:12 | "Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done." | Assurance of final, complete justice |
| John 16:33 | In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. | Believers face tribulation |
| Acts 14:22 | Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. | Tribulations as part of God's plan |
| Heb 11:36-38 | Others suffered mocking and flogging... wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, afflicted, mistreated... of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. | Righteous suffering exemplified |
| James 1:2-4 | Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. | Trials refine faith |
Ecclesiastes 8 verses
Ecclesiastes 8 14 Meaning
Ecclesiastes 8:14 observes a perplexing injustice inherent in life "under the sun," where earthly experiences often contradict the expected divine retribution. The Preacher laments that righteous individuals sometimes suffer outcomes fitting for the wicked, while the wicked may prosper as if they were righteous. This apparent perversion of justice, seen from a purely human perspective, is deemed another "vanity" or futility, adding to the inherent limitations and frustrations of mortal existence.
Ecclesiastes 8 14 Context
Ecclesiastes 8:14 is situated within a larger discourse by the Preacher (Kohelet) contemplating the relationship between wisdom, righteousness, and what one experiences in life. Chapter 8 specifically begins with advice on obeying earthly authority (the king) and recognizing that there is a proper time and judgment for everything. However, the Preacher quickly pivots to the human inability to fully grasp these "times" or to discern future events. This verse encapsulates a core existential struggle throughout the book: the observation of apparent disorder and injustice in a world governed by a righteous God. It serves as a direct challenge to a simplistic, mechanistic retribution theology (like that often seen in Deuteronomic blessings and curses applied uniformly and immediately on earth). The historical context is ancient Israel, where conventional wisdom often suggested immediate prosperity for the righteous and calamity for the wicked. The Preacher, however, confronts the stark realities that contradict this neat correlation, highlighting the limitations of human understanding concerning God's ways in the "here and now" and challenging any beliefs that oversimplify divine justice to mere earthly outcomes.
Ecclesiastes 8 14 Word analysis
- There is a vanity (הֶבֶל - hebel): The central concept of Ecclesiastes. It means "vapor," "breath," "futility," "emptiness," or "absurdity." Here, it describes the seemingly nonsensical nature of the observed injustice. It's not inherently evil but defies easy comprehension, appearing frustrating and fleeting.
- which is done upon the earth: This phrase emphasizes the Preacher's "under the sun" perspective, limiting his observations to the visible, tangible realities of mortal life. He focuses on what he perceives in the present world, distinct from ultimate divine justice or an afterlife.
- that there are righteous men (צַדִּיקִים - tzaddiqim): These are individuals who live in accordance with God's commandments, striving for uprightness and piety. Their lives should, by conventional wisdom, be blessed and prosperous.
- to whom it happens according to the work of the wicked: This signifies suffering, hardship, failure, or a premature end, outcomes typically associated with sin or unrighteousness. It is an apparent miscarriage of justice.
- and there are wicked men (רְשָׁעִים - r'sha'im): These are individuals who disregard God's laws, live corruptly, and act contrary to divine principles. Their lives should, by conventional wisdom, be cursed and suffer calamity.
- to whom it happens according to the work of the righteous: This signifies prosperity, success, long life, and earthly blessings, outcomes typically associated with righteousness. It is another perceived perversion of the moral order.
- I said that this also is vanity: The Preacher reaffirms his judgment. The repetition emphasizes the deeply disturbing and inexplicable nature of this observation. It's not just a passing anomaly but a persistent feature of human experience that renders attempts to find logical patterns frustrating and futile from a purely human standpoint. This reiteration shows the profound impact this paradox has on the Preacher's search for meaning.
Ecclesiastes 8 14 Bonus section
The Preacher’s candid observation in Eccl 8:14 served as a direct challenge to the common, simplified retribution theology prevalent in some streams of Israelite thought, particularly that found in parts of Deuteronomy (e.g., Deut 28) and Proverbs (e.g., Prov 10-15), which often posited a direct and immediate link between obedience/righteousness and blessing/prosperity. While these connections are indeed found in Scripture and hold truth, Ecclesiastes asserts that their full, perfect manifestation is not consistently visible in the "here and now" on earth. This leads to the "problem of evil" or "theodicy" that Job wrestled with – how a just God permits such injustices. The Preacher’s "under the sun" limitation in his philosophical inquiry ultimately finds its resolution in the conclusion of the book, which shifts focus from observation to obligation: fear God and keep His commandments, for that is the whole duty of man and God will bring every deed into judgment (Eccl 12:13-14). Thus, Ecclesiastes 8:14 lays the groundwork for understanding the necessity of faith in a God whose full justice extends beyond visible earthly outcomes, encompassing both hidden wisdom and future accountability.
Ecclesiastes 8 14 Commentary
Ecclesiastes 8:14 profoundly captures the Preacher's struggle with the perceived disorder of the world. It is a bold statement against simplistic understandings of divine justice, revealing that the "cause and effect" relationship between moral conduct and earthly rewards often fails to materialize "under the sun." This apparent ethical chaos contributes significantly to the book's overarching theme of "hebel." The Preacher isn't denying God's existence or ultimate justice, but rather the human inability to fully comprehend God's timing or methods based solely on what is observed in life. This verse confronts the raw, perplexing reality that righteousness does not guarantee an easy life, nor does wickedness guarantee immediate earthly punishment. It underscores the Preacher's search for wisdom and meaning in a fallen world, forcing the reader to look beyond immediate gratification and superficial appearances for true meaning and to ultimately embrace a theology of trust in God's ways, even when they seem incomprehensible to the human mind.