TRV
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Ecclesiastes 8:9–13. His four-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
Solomon, in the beginning of the chapter, had warned us against having any thing to do with seditious subjects; here, in these verses, he encourages us, in reference to the mischief of tyrannical and oppressive rulers, such as he had complained of before, Ecc 3:16; Ecc 4:1.
1.He had observed many such rulers, Ecc 8:9. In the serious views and reviews he had taken of the children of men and their state he had observed that many a time one man rules over another to his hurt; that is,
(1.)To the hurt of the ruled (many understand it so); whereas they ought to be God's ministers unto their subjects for their good (Rom 13:14), to administer justice, and to preserve the public peace and order, they use their power for their hurt, to invade their property, encroach upon their liberty, and patronise the acts of injustice. It is sad with a people when those that should protect their religion and rights aim at the destruction of both.
(2.)To the hurt of the rulers (so we render it), to their own hurt, to the feeling of their pride and covetousness, the gratifying of their passion and revenge, and so to the filling up of the measure of their sins and the hastening and aggravating of their ruin. Agens agendo repatitur - What hurt men do to others will return, in the end, to their own hurt.
2.He had observed them to prosper and flourish in the abuse of their power (Ecc 8:10): I saw those wicked rulers come and go from the place of the holy, go in state to and return in pomp from the place of judicature (which is called the place of the Holy One because the judgment is the Lord's, Deu 1:17, and he judges among the gods, Psa 82:1, and is with them in the judgment, Ch2 19:6), and they continued all their days in office, were never reckoned with for their mal-administration, but died in honour and were buried magnificently; their commissions were durante vit - during life, and not quamdiu se bene gesserint - during good behaviour. And they were forgotten in the city where they had so done; their wicked practices were not remembered against them to their reproach and infamy when they were gone. Or, rather, it denotes the vanity of their dignity and power, for that is his remark upon it in the close of the verse: This is also vanity. They are proud of their wealth, and power, and honour, because they sit in the place of the holy; but all this cannot secure,
(1.)Their bodies from being buried in the dust; I saw them laid in the grave; and their pomp, though it attended them thither, could not descend after them, Psa 49:17.
(2.)Nor their names from being buried in oblivion; for they were forgotten, as if they had never been.
3.He had observed that their prosperity hardened them in their wickedness, Ecc 8:11. It is true of all sinners in general, and particularly of wicked rulers, that, because sentence against their evil works is not executed speedily, they think it will never be executed, and therefore they set the law at defiance and their hearts are full in them to do evil; they venture to do so much the more mischief, fetch a greater compass in their wicked designs, and are secure and fearless in it, and commit iniquity with a high hand. Observe,
(1.)Sentence is passed against evil works and evil workers by the righteous Judge of heaven and earth, even against the evil works of princes and great men, as well as of inferior persons.
(2.)The execution of this sentence is often delayed a great while, and the sinner goes on, not only unpunished, but prosperous and successful.
(3.)Impunity hardens sinners in impiety, and the patience of God is shamefully abused by many who, instead of being led by it to repentance, are confirmed by it in their impenitence.
(4.)Sinners herein deceive themselves, for, though the sentence be not executed speedily, it will be executed the more severely at last. Vengeance comes slowly, but it comes surely, and wrath is in the mean time treasured up against the day of wrath.
4.He foresaw such an end of all these things as would be sufficient to keep us from quarrelling with the divine Providence upon account of them. He supposes a wicked ruler to do an unjust thing a hundred times, and that yet his punishment is deferred, and God's patience towards him is prolonged, much beyond what was expected, and the days of his power are lengthened out, so that he continues to oppress; yet he intimates that we should not be discouraged.
(1.)God's people are certainly a happy people, though they be oppressed: "It shall be well with those that fear God, I say with all those, and those only, who fear before him." Note,
[1.]It is the character of God's people that they fear God, have an awe of him upon their hearts and make conscience of their duty to him, and this because they see his eye always upon them and they know it is their concern to approve themselves to him. When they lie at the mercy of proud oppressors they fear God more then they fear them. They do not quarrel with the providence of God, but submit to it.
[2.]It is the happiness of all that fear God, that in the worst of times it shall be well with them; their happiness in God's favour cannot be prejudiced, nor their communion with God interrupted, by their troubles; they are in a good case, for they are kept in a good frame under their troubles, and in the end they shall have a blessed deliverance from and an abundant recompence for their troubles. And therefore "surely I know, I know it by the promise of God, and the experience of all the saints, that, however it goes with others, it shall go well with them." All is well that ends well.
(2.)Wicked people are certainly a miserable people; though they prosper, and prevail, for a time, the curse is as sure to them as the blessing is to the righteous: It shall not be well with the wicked, as others think it is, who judge by outward appearance, and as they themselves expect it will be; nay, woe to the wicked; it shall be ill with them (Isa 3:10, Isa 3:11); they shall be reckoned with for all the ill they have done; nothing that befals them shall be really well for them. Nihil potest ad malos pervenire quod prosit, imo nihil quod non noceat - No event can occur to the wicked which will do them good, rather no event which will not do them harm. Seneca. Note,
[1.]The wicked man's days are as a shadow, not only uncertain and declining, as all men's days are, but altogether unprofitable. A good man's days have some substance in them; he lives to a good purpose. A wicked man's days are all as a shadow, empty and worthless.
[2.]These days shall not be prolonged to what he promised himself; he shall not live out half his days, Psa 55:23. Though they may be prolonged (Ecc 8:12) beyond what others expected, yet his day shall come to fall. He shall fall short of everlasting life, and then his long life on earth will be worth little.
[3.]God's great quarrel with wicked people is for their not fearing before him; that is at the bottom of their wickedness, and cuts them off from all happiness.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
One surviving comment on this verse from the historical church.
"And it
will not be well with the wicked, and he will not live long-like a
shadow-because he does not fear God. "He invokes wickedness upon those who do not
fear God, and desires that they do not wait long for their punishment, but
rather are crucified and immediately put to death, this punishment is for those
who merit such a death. This is similar
to what the apostle says: "I would that those who annoy us were put to death." [Gal. 5,12.] And in another place "Alexander the coppersmith
did me much evil, may the Lord reward him according to his works." [II Tim. 4, 14.] We must ask though how these things are said
so mildly. This is very true to the
Hebrew meaning of this verse. But we can
follow the Septuagint's interpretation, which seems to take another meaning,
and says, "and I know, since those who fear God will be well, that they
fear his face, and the wicked will not be well, and his day will not be long in
shadows, who does not fear God." He
could have said this: 'let there also be those things which I considered a
little earlier', but I know clearly that those fearing God will be well;
"for the face of God is above those who do wickedness" [Ps. 33, 17.]. And the wicked will not be well, for he does
not fear God and his days will not be longer in shadows. This is the day of his life, which is like a
shadow for the living. Not by this do
those who live for a long time lengthen their days, but they make them great
with the number of their good deeds. As
if confessing himself to be a sinner, Jacob says about this: "few and
wicked are these days of mine" [Gen. 47, 9.]. And confessing in the Psalm he says, "my
days are inclined like shadows, and I am like the hay of the field" [Ps. 101, 12.]. Not because he has sought a long life in the
present world, in which all that we live is brief and looks lie shadow:
"for man walks in His likeness" [Ps. 38, 7.],
but because he fears the future, lest the length of his life, if it is indeed
life, should be short.
Continue studying Ecclesiastes 8:13 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
Summary
Ecclesiastes 8:13 stands as a definitive theological declaration within Qoheleth's often perplexing exploration of life "under the sun," offering a crucial statement on divine justice. Amidst observations of the wicked seemingly prospering and justice being delayed, this verse firmly asserts that ultimate well-being and prolonged existence elude those who live without reverential awe for God. It declares that despite temporary appearances, God's moral order will ultimately prevail, and true flourishing is intrinsically linked to a right relationship with the Creator, emphasizing the fleeting and insubstantial nature of a life lived apart from Him.
Context
Literary Context
Ecclesiastes 8:13 functions as a pivotal assertion of divine justice, providing a theological counterpoint to the Preacher's (Qoheleth's) preceding observations. Throughout Ecclesiastes 8, Qoheleth grapples with the apparent inequities of life, particularly the delay of justice and the temporary prosperity of the wicked, as highlighted in Ecclesiastes 8:11-12. This can lead to a sense of futility or cynicism, as human efforts and wisdom often seem to yield no lasting advantage or immediate reward. Verse 13 cuts through this existential struggle, offering a firm, dogmatic declaration that despite appearances, the ultimate outcome for the wicked is not good, directly attributing their fate to their lack of fear of God. It serves as a necessary corrective, affirming the ultimate triumph of God's moral order within the broader discourse on wisdom, futility, and the search for meaning, culminating in the concluding emphasis on fearing God and keeping His commandments in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.
Historical & Cultural Context
The book of Ecclesiastes emerges from the rich tradition of ancient Israelite wisdom literature, which often explored the practicalities of life, human experience, and the pursuit of meaning. While traditionally attributed to King Solomon, its precise dating is debated, but it reflects a period where the established wisdom tenets (e.g., the righteous prosper, the wicked suffer) were being tested by observable realities and the complexities of human experience. The cultural understanding of "fear of God" (Hebrew: yirah) was foundational, signifying not mere terror, but a profound awe, reverence, and submission to the divine will, which was believed to be the beginning of wisdom and the source of true life. The concept of a "shadow" (Hebrew: tsêl) as a metaphor for brevity and insubstantiality was also common in the ancient Near East, reflecting a worldview keenly aware of human mortality and the transient nature of earthly life and its accomplishments, a theme frequently explored in the Psalms.
Key Themes
This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Ecclesiastes and biblical wisdom literature. Firstly, it underscores Divine Justice and Retribution, asserting that despite the perplexing observations of the wicked's temporary success, there is an ultimate reckoning where their well-being will fail. This provides reassurance that God's moral order is ultimately inviolable, even if its manifestations are not always immediately discernible to human eyes, a truth echoed in Psalm 73. Secondly, the phrase "neither shall he prolong [his] days, [which are] as a shadow" highlights the Brevity and Transience of Life, particularly for those who live without a divine anchor. Their existence, no matter how seemingly prosperous, lacks true substance or lasting impact, akin to a fleeting vapor. Finally, and most centrally, the verse emphasizes the Centrality of the Fear of God. The wicked's ill-fate is directly attributed to their lack of reverence for God, making the "fear of God" the lynchpin of true wisdom, lasting well-being, and a meaningful existence. This fear is a comprehensive orientation of life, acknowledging God's sovereignty and living in humble submission to His commands, as the book concludes in Ecclesiastes 12:13.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This adjective signifies goodness in its widest sense, encompassing beauty, favor, prosperity, and welfare. In this context, it refers to a state of ultimate flourishing, true well-being, or lasting prosperity. The declaration "it shall not be well" means that the wicked will ultimately lack this genuine, enduring good, despite any temporary earthly advantages.
While literally meaning a day, this term is often used figuratively to denote a period of time, life, or existence. Here, "his days" refers to the span of a person's life. The phrase "prolong his days" speaks to the longevity or lasting quality of one's life and its impact. For the wicked, their existence is cut short or lacks enduring significance.
This noun refers to shade or shadow, used both literally and figuratively. As a metaphor, it powerfully conveys transience, insubstantiality, and brevity. In Ecclesiastes 8:13, it vividly emphasizes the fleeting and ultimately unsubstantial nature of the wicked person's life and prosperity, highlighting its lack of lasting impact or true security, much like a shadow that quickly passes and leaves no trace.
This verb means to fear, but in a moral and religious context, it implies reverence, awe, and respect for God. It is a profound sense of humility and submission before the divine, leading to obedience and a desire to honor God. The absence of this "fear" in the wicked is presented as the root cause of their ultimate downfall and lack of well-being.
This is the plural form of the common Hebrew word for God, often used to refer specifically to the supreme God. Its use here underscores the ultimate divine authority before whom the wicked do not show proper reverence, emphasizing the cosmic scope of their transgression and the divine source of ultimate judgment and moral order.
Verse Breakdown
"But it shall not be well with the wicked,"
This opening clause serves as a direct counter-statement to the preceding observations in Ecclesiastes 8, where the wicked might appear to prosper or escape immediate judgment. It asserts a fundamental principle of divine justice: ultimately, true well-being, lasting prosperity, or genuine peace will elude those who live in moral rebellion against God. Their apparent success is temporary, superficial, and devoid of ultimate good.
"neither shall he prolong [his] days, [which are] as a shadow;"
This expands on the consequence for the wicked, emphasizing the brevity and insubstantiality of their life. "Prolong his days" speaks to a lack of longevity, enduring impact, or a truly meaningful existence. The powerful simile "as a shadow" vividly portrays their life as fleeting, unsubstantial, and without true, enduring significance. Their existence, like a shadow, passes quickly, leaves nothing of substance behind, and lacks the divine blessing of a full, purposeful life.
"because he feareth not before God."
This final clause provides the foundational reason for the wicked's ill-fate. The lack of "fear of God" is presented as the root cause of their inability to experience true well-being or a prolonged, meaningful existence. This "fear" is not terror, but a profound, reverential awe and respect for God's authority, holiness, and justice, which naturally leads to obedience and a life aligned with divine wisdom. The absence of this reverence signifies a life lived in defiance, disregard, or active rebellion against the Creator's will and moral order.
Literary Devices
Ecclesiastes 8:13 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is Contrast, setting the ultimate fate of the wicked against the implied well-being and longevity of the righteous (or at least, those who fear God). This contrast directly addresses the tension Qoheleth explores throughout the book regarding the apparent prosperity of the ungodly. A vivid Simile is used with the phrase "as a shadow," which powerfully illustrates the transient, insubstantial, and fleeting nature of the wicked person's life and accomplishments. This metaphor emphasizes that despite any temporary earthly gains, their existence lacks true depth or lasting significance in the grand scheme of divine judgment. Furthermore, the verse presents a clear Cause and Effect relationship: the negative outcome for the wicked ("it shall not be well...neither shall he prolong his days") is directly attributed to a specific cause ("because he feareth not before God"). This highlights the theological principle that one's relationship with God is determinative of ultimate destiny and well-being. Finally, the verse functions as an Aphorism or a Proverbial Statement, characteristic of wisdom literature, offering a concise, authoritative truth about divine justice and the consequences of one's spiritual orientation.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Ecclesiastes 8:13 powerfully reiterates a core tenet of biblical theology: God's ultimate justice will prevail, and true well-being is inextricably linked to a reverential relationship with Him. It serves as a vital corrective to the human tendency to be disheartened by apparent injustices in the world, reminding us that God's timetable and methods of judgment often transcend immediate human observation. The "fear of God" is presented not as a peripheral religious act but as the foundational posture for a life of substance and blessing, contrasting sharply with the fleeting, shadow-like existence of those who disregard their Creator. This verse thus affirms God's moral governance over the universe and the eternal consequences of our choices, providing a theological anchor amidst life's perplexing realities.
Reflection and Application
Ecclesiastes 8:13 offers both a sobering warning and a profound encouragement for our lives today. In a world where moral relativism often blurs lines and temporary success can overshadow ethical conduct, this verse firmly reminds us that there is an ultimate, divine standard of justice. It challenges us not to be swayed by the fleeting prosperity of those who disregard God, nor to grow cynical when justice seems delayed. Instead, it calls us to anchor our hope and well-being in a reverential relationship with God, recognizing that true flourishing and lasting significance are found only in Him. It prompts us to examine our own lives: do we truly "fear before God," living in awe and obedience, or are we pursuing a shadow-like existence that will ultimately yield no lasting good? The verse encourages us to cultivate a deep, abiding reverence for God, knowing that this is the path to genuine peace, purpose, and eternal well-being, regardless of present circumstances or the world's deceptive allure.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does this verse contradict other parts of Ecclesiastes where the wicked seem to prosper?
No, rather than a contradiction, Ecclesiastes 8:13 serves as a theological resolution or a divine counterpoint to Qoheleth's observations. Throughout the book, especially in passages like Ecclesiastes 8:11-12, the Preacher honestly grapples with the perplexing reality that justice is often delayed and the wicked sometimes flourish "under the sun." This verse, however, moves beyond mere observation to a definitive declaration of divine truth: despite appearances, ultimate well-being is not for the wicked, and their days are fleeting. It asserts that God's moral order will ultimately prevail, even if its full manifestation is not always immediately visible to human eyes. It's a statement of faith in God's ultimate justice, providing a necessary balance to the book's realistic portrayal of life's absurdities and pointing to a final accountability.
What is the "fear of God" mentioned here?
The "fear of God" (Hebrew: yârêʼ) in this context is far more than mere terror or fright. It signifies a profound, reverential awe, respect, and humble submission to God's holiness, power, and authority. It is an acknowledgment of His sovereignty and a deep sense of humility before Him. This kind of fear leads to obedience, a desire to honor God in all aspects of life, and a recognition that one's ultimate well-being is found in aligning with His will. It is the opposite of casual disregard, defiance, or living as if God does not exist or does not matter. As Proverbs 9:10 states, it is the "beginning of wisdom," the foundational principle for a life lived in accordance with divine truth and purpose.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Ecclesiastes 8:13, with its stark declaration of the wicked's ultimate ill-fate and the brevity of a life lived without the fear of God, finds its profoundest fulfillment and resolution in Jesus Christ. The "shadow" of fleeting human existence, so poignantly described for the wicked, points to the need for a true, eternal substance, which is found in Christ alone. As Colossians 2:17 and Hebrews 10:1 reveal, the Old Testament Law, its principles, and even the observations of life "under the sun" were but a shadow of the good things to come, with Christ being the very reality and substance. The "fear of God" that the wicked lack is perfectly embodied and taught by Christ, who Himself lived in perfect obedience and reverence to the Father (John 8:29). For those who "fear not before God," the consequence is that "it shall not be well." However, through Christ, the ultimate judgment for sin was borne on the cross, offering a path to true well-being and eternal life for all who believe (John 3:16). While the wicked face a judgment where their days are not prolonged and their life is a shadow, believers in Christ are granted eternal life and a lasting inheritance, moving from shadow to the glorious light of God's presence (2 Corinthians 4:6). Thus, Christ is the ultimate answer to Qoheleth's existential questions, providing the substance, the true fear of God, and the eternal well-being that eludes those who live apart from Him, culminating in the promise of life abundant.