Ecclesiastes 3:16

ยถ And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, [that] wickedness [was] there; and the place of righteousness, [that] iniquity [was] there.

And moreover I saw {H7200} under the sun {H8121} the place {H4725} of judgment {H4941}, that wickedness {H7562} was there; and the place {H4725} of righteousness {H6664}, that iniquity {H7562} was there.

Another thing I observed under the sun: There, in the same place as justice, was wickedness; there, in the same place as righteousness, was wickedness.

Furthermore, I saw under the sun that in the place of judgment there is wickedness, and in the place of righteousness there is wickedness.

And moreover I saw under the sun, in the place of justice, that wickedness was there; and in the place of righteousness, that wickedness was there.

Commentary

Commentary on Ecclesiastes 3:16

Ecclesiastes 3:16 is a poignant observation from the Preacher (Koheleth), the author of Ecclesiastes, who often explores the complexities of life "under the sun"โ€”a phrase referring to human experience from an earthly perspective, apart from immediate divine intervention or eternal revelation. This verse immediately follows the famous passage about "a time for everything" (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8), which emphasizes God's sovereign control over all aspects of life. However, the Preacher quickly pivots to the harsh realities of human society, revealing a deep sense of disillusionment with the world's brokenness.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Pervasive Injustice: The core message is the widespread corruption within human systems. The Preacher observes that even in places designated for justice (mishpat) and righteousness (tzedeq), wickedness (resha') and iniquity ('avel) are found. This highlights a profound disconnect between what ought to be and what actually is.
  • Human Depravity: This verse serves as a stark reminder of the fallen nature of humanity, where sin permeates even the most noble institutions and intentions. It suggests that no human system, no matter how well-intentioned, is immune to corruption.
  • The Preacher's Struggle: It reflects the Preacher's ongoing struggle to find meaning and order in a world that often appears chaotic and unfair. His observations lead him to question the ultimate value of human endeavors when injustice prevails.
  • Anticipation of Divine Judgment: While presenting a bleak picture of earthly justice, this observation often sets the stage for the Preacher's later conclusion that God will ultimately rectify all wrongs. This tension between present injustice and future divine accountability is a recurring theme in Ecclesiastes.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Under the sun": This recurring phrase (appearing 29 times in Ecclesiastes) defines the scope of the Preacher's observations โ€“ human life and endeavors as perceived from an earthly, temporal viewpoint, often without explicit reference to eternity or direct divine intervention.
  • "Place of judgment" (ืžึดืฉึฐืืคึธึผื˜ - mishpat): This Hebrew word typically refers to justice, judgment, or legal proceedings. Here, it signifies the courts or systems designed to administer justice.
  • "Wickedness" (ืจึถืฉึทืืข - resha'): Denotes evil, guilt, or deliberate wrongdoing, often with legal implications of injustice.
  • "Place of righteousness" (ืฆึถื“ึถืง - tzedeq): Refers to what is morally right, just, or upright. It implies conformity to a standard of truth and integrity.
  • "Iniquity" (ืขึธื•ึถืœ - 'avel): Signifies perversity, injustice, or wrongdoing, often implying a twisting of what is right. The pairing of resha' and 'avel emphasizes the depth and breadth of the corruption observed.

Practical Application

Ecclesiastes 3:16 offers timeless insights for navigating a world still plagued by injustice:

  • Acknowledge Reality: It encourages a realistic view of human institutions. We should not be surprised when we find corruption or injustice in places where fairness and integrity are expected, whether in government, business, or even religious organizations.
  • Cultivate Personal Integrity: Despite the prevalence of societal brokenness, the verse implicitly calls believers to uphold righteousness in their own lives. Our actions can be a counter-testimony to the world's pervasive injustice.
  • Look to God's Ultimate Justice: The Preacher's lament ultimately points to a greater hope. This observation sets the stage for the Preacher's later conclusion that God will indeed bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing. It reminds us that while earthly justice may fail, there is a divine judge who will ultimately set all things right, offering comfort and hope in a fallen world. This echoes a broader biblical truth about the universality of sin and human fallenness, which necessitates God's perfect justice.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ecclesiastes 4:1

    ยถ So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of [such as were] oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors [there was] power; but they had no comforter.

  • Ecclesiastes 5:8

    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.

  • Acts 23:3

    Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, [thou] whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?

  • James 2:6

    But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?

  • Psalms 58:1

    ยถ To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David. Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?

  • Psalms 58:2

    Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth.

  • Psalms 82:2

    How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.