Ecclesiastes 8:6

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:6-8

Solomon had said (Eccl. 8:5) that a wise man's heart discerns time and judgment, that is, a man's wisdom will go a great way, by the blessing of God, in moral prognostications; but here he shows that few have that wisdom, and that even the wisest may yet be surprised by a calamity which they had not any foresight of, and therefore it is our wisdom to expect and prepare for sudden changes. Observe, 1. All the events concerning us, with the exact time of them, are determined and appointed in the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:6

Because to every purpose there is time and judgment ,.... There is a fit season, and a right and proper manner of doing everything that is to be done; see Ecclesiastes 3:1 ; which a wise man discerns; and which when a man hits upon, it prevents a great deal of mischief, which for want of it comes upon men, as the following clause shows; some refer this to the punishment of the wicked, and to a future judgment. So the Targum, "to every business there is a time good and evil, and according... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 8:6

To every purpose there is time - חפץ chaphets , every volition, every thing that depends on the will of man. He has generally the opportunity to do whatever he purposes; and as his purposes are frequently evil, his acts are so too: and in consequence his misery is great. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:1-9

Section 5. There is no use in repining or rebelling; true wisdom counsels obedience to the powers that be , and submission to the dispensations of Providence . However oppressive a tyrant may prove sure retribution awaits him. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:6

Because . This and the three following clauses all begin with ki , "since," "for," and the conjunction ought to have been similarly rendered in all the places. Thus here, for to every purpose there is time and judgment . Here commences a chain of argument to prove the wisdom of keeping quiet under oppression or evil rulers. Everything has its appointed time of duration, and in due course will be brought to judgment (see Ecclesiastes 3:1 , Ecclesiastes 3:17 ; 41:14). Therefore ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 8:6

Because, therefore - , Or, as in Ecclesiastes 8:7, “for.”The possibility of God’s time and judgment being in opposition to a king’s purpose or commandment Ecclesiastes 8:5, suggests the thought that such discord is a misery (evil, Ecclesiastes 6:1) common to man (or, mankind). read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 8:6-7

Ecclesiastes 8:6-7. Because to every purpose there is a time, &c. There is a fit way and season for the accomplishment of every business, which is known to God, but for the most part hidden from man. See notes on Ecclesiastes 3:1. Therefore the misery of man is great Because there are few who have wisdom to discern this, most men expose themselves to manifold miseries. For he knoweth not that which shall be Men are generally ignorant of future events, and of the success of their... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:1-17

Compromise, despair and joy (8:1-17)Wisdom helps people see the underlying meaning of things and teaches them that to act with pleasantness is better than to act with harshness (8:1). If, for example, people work in the king’s palace, they will do what the king says, partly because they have sworn before God to be obedient and partly because they will be punished if they disobey. But if they find the king’s command unreasonable, wisdom will show them a way out. They will wait for a suitable... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ecclesiastes 8:6

purpose. See note on Ecclesiastes 3:1 . there is = there exists. Hebrew. yesh. therefore the misery = when the evil. great = heavy. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 8:6

REGARDING THE PROBLEM OF ANXIETY"For to every purpose there is a time and judgment; because the misery of man is great upon him; for he knoweth not that which shall be; for who can tell how it shall be? There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power over the day of death; and there is no discharge in war; neither shall wickedness deliver him that is given to it.""The misery of man is great ... for he knoweth not that which shall be" (Ecclesiastes... read more

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