Ecclesiastes 8:13

KJV

But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong [his] days, [which are] as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.

KJV (with Strong's)

But it shall not be well {H2896} with the wicked {H7563}, neither shall he prolong {H748} his days {H3117}, which are as a shadow {H6738}; because he feareth {H3373} not before {H6440} God {H430}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But things will not go well with the wicked; and, like a shadow, he will not prolong his days; because he doesn't fear God.

Berean Standard Bible

Yet because the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them, and their days will not lengthen like a shadow.

American Standard Version

but it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ecclesiastes 8:13 serves as a crucial theological anchor within Qoheleth's often perplexing exploration of life "under the sun," offering a definitive statement on divine justice. Amidst observations of the wicked seemingly prospering and justice being delayed, this verse firmly declares that ultimate well-being eludes those who live without reverence for God, and their fleeting existence will not be prolonged. It asserts that despite temporary appearances, God's moral order will ultimately prevail, and true flourishing is intrinsically linked to a reverential relationship with the Creator.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ecclesiastes 8:13 stands as a pivotal assertion of divine justice, providing a theological counterpoint to the Preacher's (Qoheleth's) preceding observations. Throughout [Ecclesiastes](/ecclesiastes/8 "Ecclesiastes 8 - Wisdom and Justice"), 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](/ecclesiastes/8-11 "Ecclesiastes 8:11-12 - The Delay of Justice"). This can lead to a sense of futility or cynicism, as human efforts and wisdom often seem to yield no lasting advantage. 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.
* **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. The cultural understanding of "fear of God" (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](/proverbs/9-10 "Proverbs 9:10 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom"). The concept of a shadow (tsel) 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.
* **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. 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](/james/4-14 "James 4:14 - Life is a 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.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **wicked (Hebrew, _râshâʻ'_):** H7563. This term denotes someone who is morally wrong, an actively bad person. It describes those who are guilty, ungodly, and do wrong, often in defiance of divine law or moral order. In the context of Ecclesiastes, it refers to individuals whose conduct is contrary to the wisdom and righteousness that stems from fearing God.
* **shadow (Hebrew, _tsêl'_):** H6738. This word signifies shade or shadow, used both literally and figuratively. As a metaphor, it powerfully conveys transience, insubstantiality, and brevity. Here, it emphasizes the fleeting and ultimately unsubstantial nature of the wicked person's life and prosperity, highlighting its lack of lasting impact or true security.
* **feareth (Hebrew, _yârêʼ'_):** H3373. 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.
* **God (Hebrew, _ʼĕlôhîym'_):** H430. 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.

#### 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. It asserts a fundamental principle of divine justice: ultimately, true well-being, prosperity, or lasting peace will elude those who live in moral rebellion against God. Their apparent success is temporary and superficial.
* **"neither shall he prolong [his] days, [which are] as a shadow;"**: This expands on the consequence, emphasizing the brevity and insubstantiality of the wicked person's life. "Prolong his days" speaks to a lack of longevity or lasting impact, while the simile "as a shadow" vividly portrays their existence as fleeting, unsubstantial, and without true, enduring significance. Their life, like a shadow, passes quickly and leaves nothing of substance behind.
* **"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 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 or disregard of the Creator.

#### 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 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. 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.

* [Psalm 37:35-36](/psalms/37-35 "The End of the Wicked")
* [Proverbs 14:12](/proverbs/14-12 "A Way that Seems Right")
* [Malachi 3:18](/malachi/3-18 "Distinguishing the Righteous and the Wicked")

### 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.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Ecclesiastes 8:13 challenge my perspective on apparent injustices or the temporary prosperity of the wicked in the world around me?**
* **What does "fearing before God" truly mean in the context of my daily decisions, relationships, and priorities?**
* **In what ways might I be pursuing a "shadow-like" existence, and how can I reorient my life towards what is truly substantial and eternal in God's eyes?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse contradict other parts of Ecclesiastes where the wicked seem to prosper?**

Answer: 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](/ecclesiastes/8-11 "Ecclesiastes 8:11-12 - The Delay of Justice"), 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.

**What is the "fear of God" mentioned here?**

Answer: 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 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](/proverbs/9-10 "Proverbs 9:10 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom") states, it is the "beginning of wisdom."

### 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](/colossians/2-17 "Colossians 2:17 - Christ is the Substance") and [Hebrews 10:1](/hebrews/10-1 "Hebrews 10:1 - Christ as the Reality") reveal, the Old Testament Law and its principles 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](/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - Jesus Always Pleases the Father")). 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](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love and Eternal Life")). 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](/2_corinthians/4-6 "2 Corinthians 4:6 - Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God")). 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.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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?

Job 14:2

He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.

Isaiah 3:11

Woe unto the wicked! [it shall be] ill [with him]: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.

Malachi 3:18

Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

Isaiah 57:21

[There is] no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.

Isaiah 30:13

Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant.

Matthew 13:49

So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,