Ecclesiastes 8 6

Ecclesiastes 8:6 kjv

Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him.

Ecclesiastes 8:6 nkjv

Because for every matter there is a time and judgment, Though the misery of man increases greatly.

Ecclesiastes 8:6 niv

For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter, though a person may be weighed down by misery.

Ecclesiastes 8:6 esv

For there is a time and a way for everything, although man's trouble lies heavy on him.

Ecclesiastes 8:6 nlt

for there is a time and a way for everything, even when a person is in trouble.

Ecclesiastes 8 verses

Ecclesiastes 8 6 Meaning

Ecclesiastes 8:6 teaches that for every endeavor or purpose in life, there is an appointed time and an appointed judgment or due process. The verse emphasizes that ignoring or failing to discern these divinely ordained moments and outcomes often leads to significant human suffering or misery. It highlights the principle of divine timing and accountability for human actions and purposes, with dire consequences for those who lack wisdom in acknowledging it.

Ecclesiastes 8 6 Context

Ecclesiastes 8:6 sits within a larger discourse (Ecc 8:1-9) where Koheleth (the Teacher) contemplates wisdom regarding the relationship between subjects and a king, hinting at both earthly authority and ultimately, divine sovereignty. The immediate preceding verses (Ecc 8:2-5) discuss obeying the king’s command, honoring oaths, and the wisdom of not challenging authority or persisting in an evil matter, implying consequences for defiance. Verse 6 flows from this, suggesting that while the king’s power is absolute (as earthly kings were perceived), there is a deeper, divine order to all things – an "appointed time" and "judgment" for every "purpose." Human "misery" or "evil" results when this ultimate divine schedule and justice are disregarded, making people blind to the opportune moments or the looming consequences. It connects human accountability to a preordained, often unseen, timetable of events and reckonings. The broader context of Ecclesiastes consistently grapples with the fleeting nature of life "under the sun," the futility of human endeavors without God, and the difficulty of comprehending divine justice in a world full of apparent injustices. The concept of an "appointed time" (Hebrew: ‘ēt) is central to the book, most famously articulated in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, highlighting that all of life's events, even paradoxical ones, are under God's control and occur at their proper moment.

Ecclesiastes 8 6 Word analysis

• כִּי (ki): "For," "because," "indeed." This conjunction introduces a reason or explanation for the preceding statement, providing a causal link.
• לְכָל-חֵפֶץ (lekhāl-chefetṣ): "For every purpose/matter/desire."
  • לְ (le-): The preposition "for" or "to."
  • כָּל (kāl): "All," "every." Signifies comprehensiveness.
  • חֵפֶץ (chefetṣ): "Purpose," "desire," "delight," "matter," "business," "pleasure." Here, it points to any endeavor, activity, or intention undertaken by humans. It implies that nothing is random; every pursuit has a predetermined scope.
• וְעֵת (ve’ēt): "And a time."
  • וְ (ve-): The conjunction "and."
  • עֵת (ʿēt): "Time," "appointed time," "season," "occasion." This is a crucial term in Ecclesiastes (e.g., Ecc 3:1), denoting a specific, set, or proper period. It is not just chronological time but a kairos moment – a time significant for its event.
• מִשְׁפָּט (mishpāṭ): "Judgment," "justice," "decree," "right procedure." This term signifies an established order, a judicial outcome, a divine decree, or what is fitting and right. When paired with ‘ēt ("time"), it suggests an appointed moment when matters are brought to account or reach their just conclusion.
• יֵשׁ (yesh): "There is," "exists." A statement of existence and inevitability.
• כִּי (ki): "For," "because." The second instance of this conjunction introduces the consequence or reason behind humanity's predicament regarding this truth. It explains why the misery is great.
• רָעַת (rāʿat): "Misery," "calamity," "harm," "evil," "distress." The noun form of ra’ah, which can mean moral evil but often denotes misfortune or trouble that falls upon someone. Here, it refers to the distress, suffering, or ill-effects experienced by humans.
• הָאָדָם (hāʾādām): "Of man," "of humanity."
  • הָ (hā-): The definite article "the."
  • אָדָם (ʾādām): "Man," "humankind." Refers to people generally, all of humanity.
• רַבָּה (rabbāh): "Great," "much," "abundant," "numerous." Intensifies rāʿat, indicating that the misery or calamity is substantial in scope or degree.
• עָלָיו (ʿālāyw): "Upon him," "over him." A prepositional phrase implying that the misery descends upon or weighs heavily on humanity.

Words-group analysis:

• "לְכָל-חֵפֶץ וְעֵת מִשְׁפָּט יֵשׁ" (lekhāl-chefetṣ ve’ēt mishpāṭ yesh): "For every matter/purpose there is a time and a judgment." This phrase emphasizes divine providence and ordering. Every human endeavor or intention (chefetṣ) has its specific, divinely ordained time (‘ēt) and its ultimate, just resolution or consequence (mishpāṭ). This implies that outcomes are not arbitrary but aligned with a higher, righteous framework.
• "כִּי רָעַת הָאָדָם רַבָּה עָלָיו" (ki rāʿat hāʾādām rabbāh ʿālāyw): "Because man's misery/calamity is great upon him." This clause explains why the knowledge of an appointed time and judgment is so critical. The failure of humanity to discern, acknowledge, or wisely respond to these appointed times and judgments results in pervasive and profound suffering. It speaks to the accumulation of distress from ignoring divine order or being unprepared for the inevitable consequences that fall "upon him."

Ecclesiastes 8 6 Bonus section

The profound tension between human free will and divine pre-determination is a constant undercurrent in Ecclesiastes. While the verse affirms a divinely ordained time and judgment for every purpose, it does not alleviate human responsibility. Rather, it underscores the human dilemma of acting in a world where ultimate outcomes and precise timings remain hidden, yet they are inevitable. This paradox of human ignorance ("no man knows what will happen," Ecc 9:1) within a structured, divinely governed reality leads to much hebel (vanity/futility). The Teacher's recurring lament throughout the book often stems from humanity's inability to fully grasp God's grand design (Ecc 3:11; 7:14; 11:5), which includes these "appointed times and judgments." This lack of complete foresight is precisely why rāʿat hāʾādām rabbāh ʿālāyw (man's misery is great upon him) – they cannot see the full implications of their choices until the "appointed time" arrives and the judgment is rendered. The implied call is not to unravel the mystery, but to humbly live in fear of God, recognizing His ultimate control over all times and seasons.

Ecclesiastes 8 6 Commentary

Ecclesiastes 8:6 serves as a profound statement on divine sovereignty over human affairs, asserting that no action or purpose (chefetṣ) occurs outside an appointed time (‘ēt) and judgment (mishpāṭ). This implies an underlying, immutable order to the universe orchestrated by God, where every outcome and consequence is integrated into a specific, predetermined moment or judicial process. The verse functions as an explanation for why wisdom is paramount: the great misery (rāʿat rabbāh) that descends upon humanity is a direct result of their failure to comprehend or align with this divine calendar of times and judgments.

Humanity, "under the sun," often struggles with this reality. People may make decisions without considering their eventual reckoning, pursue selfish desires, or act without discernment, leading them into inescapable trouble. The Koheleth observes this human condition: a fundamental disconnect between God's orderly plan and man's chaotic, unheeding pursuit of "vanity." When people do not understand "when" or "how" their actions will be weighed or brought to fruition, they are prone to error, recklessness, or despair, accumulating sorrow. It speaks to the burden of responsibility that comes with our inability to perfectly predict the future, yet being bound by its eventual arrival.

This verse therefore implicitly calls for spiritual vigilance and a reverent fear of the Lord, which alone can provide wisdom for discerning these divine timings. True wisdom lies in recognizing God's dominion over all of life's appointed moments and understanding that every action carries an eventual judgment, whether temporal or eternal. To live foolishly is to live oblivious to the appointed "mishpat," leading to rāʿat rabbāh, great sorrow, and a life devoid of true purpose, for ultimately, all things lead back to God's decree.

• Practical Usage: Consider a farmer who ignores the appointed planting season, expecting a harvest later; he will find his efforts futile and suffer. Spiritually, a person who repeatedly delays repentance, thinking there will always be "tomorrow," fails to discern the appointed "time of salvation" (2 Cor 6:2), accumulating "misery" or judgment for themselves. Similarly, leadership that continually disregards the timing of justice and accountability risks bringing greater calamity upon its people.