Ecclesiastes 8:7 Meaning
For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?
Context Explained
5Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment.
6Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him.
7For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?
8There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.
9All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man ruleth over another to his own hurt.
Key Themes
Related Cross References
James 4:14
James also highlights the uncertainty of life, echoing the sentiment in Ecclesiastes.
Matthew 6:34
Jesus teaches not to worry about tomorrow, reflecting the unknown future mentioned here.
Ecclesiastes 3:11
Both verses emphasize the mystery of time and human understanding.
Source: Ecclesiastes 8:7