Ecclesiastes 7:15

All [things] have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just [man] that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked [man] that prolongeth [his life] in his wickedness.

All things have I seen {H7200} in the days {H3117} of my vanity {H1892}: there is {H3426} a just {H6662} man that perisheth {H6} in his righteousness {H6664}, and there is a wicked {H7563} man that prolongeth {H748} his life in his wickedness {H7451}.

In my pointless life, I've seen everything -from the righteous person perishing in his uprightness to the wicked one who lives a long life and keeps on doing wrong.

In my futile life I have seen both of these: A righteous man perishing in his righteousness, and a wicked man living long in his wickedness.

All this have I seen in my days of vanity: there is a righteous man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his evil-doing.

Commentary

Commentary on Ecclesiastes 7:15 (KJV)

Ecclesiastes 7:15 captures a core observation of the Preacher (traditionally King Solomon) concerning the apparent inconsistencies and paradoxes of life "under the sun." This verse highlights the disorienting reality that righteous living does not always guarantee earthly prosperity or longevity, nor does wickedness always lead to immediate suffering or an early demise.

Context

This verse is situated within a section of Ecclesiastes (chapters 7-8) where the Preacher offers various proverbial sayings and reflections on wisdom, folly, and the challenges of life. He contrasts different aspects of human experience, often concluding that much of life is beyond human control or comprehension. The recurring theme of "vanity" (Hebrew: hebel), signifying futility, breath, or meaninglessness from a purely earthly perspective, underpins these observations. The Preacher is examining life as it appears without the full revelation of divine judgment, which he addresses more directly towards the book's conclusion.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Paradox of Justice: The verse directly challenges the common expectation that righteousness leads to earthly reward and wickedness to immediate punishment. The Preacher observes that sometimes a just man perishes in his righteousness, meaning he suffers or dies prematurely despite his uprightness, while a wicked man "prolongeth his life in his wickedness," enjoying a long life despite his evil deeds. This challenges simplistic notions of divine retribution in this life.
  • Human Limitations: The phrase "All things have I seen in the days of my vanity" underscores the Preacher's perspective as one limited by human observation and earthly experience. His conclusions are drawn from what he perceives "under the sun," highlighting the limitations of human wisdom to fully grasp God's ways.
  • The Problem of Evil: This verse touches on the age-old theological problem of why good people suffer and bad people prosper, a theme also explored in the Book of Job and many Psalms. It suggests that immediate earthly consequences are not always a clear indicator of God's ultimate justice.

Linguistic Insights

The key term "vanity" (Hebrew: hebel) is central to Ecclesiastes, appearing over 30 times. It conveys a sense of emptiness, futility, or transience, like a vapor or breath. When the Preacher says "in the days of my vanity," he refers to his life lived under the perspective that all earthly endeavors are ultimately fleeting and unsatisfying without a higher purpose. This observation of reversed justice is thus part of the general "hebel" of human existence.

Related Scriptures

This verse resonates with other biblical texts that grapple with the apparent injustice of life:

  • Ecclesiastes 1:2: The opening declaration of "Vanity of vanities; all is vanity," setting the philosophical tone for the book's observations.
  • Job 21:7: "Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?" This echoes the Preacher's observation of the wicked's longevity.
  • Psalm 73:12: "Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches." The psalmist, like the Preacher, struggled with this reality.
  • Ecclesiastes 12:14: The book's concluding thought provides the resolution: "For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." This points to a future, ultimate divine justice beyond earthly observation.

Practical Application

Ecclesiastes 7:15 serves as a powerful reminder that we should not measure God's justice or our faithfulness solely by our earthly circumstances.

  1. Trust in Ultimate Justice: It encourages believers to trust in God's perfect and ultimate justice, even when immediate circumstances seem unfair. The full account of rewards and punishments is not settled "under the sun" but in eternity.
  2. Persevere in Righteousness: Despite the observed paradoxes, the book of Ecclesiastes ultimately calls for a life of reverence for God and obedience to His commands, regardless of immediate earthly outcomes. Our motivation for righteousness should be rooted in our relationship with God, not in a guarantee of earthly prosperity.
  3. Avoid Judgmentalism: This verse cautions against quickly judging others' spiritual standing based on their temporal success or suffering. Prosperity does not automatically signify divine favor, nor does suffering signify divine displeasure.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Ecclesiastes 8:12

    Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his [days] be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him:

  • Ecclesiastes 8:14

    ¶ 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 6:12

    For who knoweth what [is] good for man in [this] life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?

  • Matthew 23:34

    Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and [some] of them ye shall kill and crucify; and [some] of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute [them] from city to city:

  • Matthew 23:35

    That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.

  • Psalms 73:3

    For I was envious at the foolish, [when] I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

  • Psalms 73:13

    Verily I have cleansed my heart [in] vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
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