Ecclesiastes 7:17

Ecclesiastes 7:17 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?
• New International Version (NIV)Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool— why die before your time?
• English Standard Version (ESV)Be not overly wicked, neither be a fool. Why should you die before your time?
• New King James Version (NKJV)Do not be overly wicked, Nor be foolish: Why should you die before your time?

Context of Ecclesiastes 7:17

15All 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. 16Be not righteous overmuch; neither make thyself overwise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself? Be not overmuch wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time? 18It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from that withdraw not thy hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth from them all. 19Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers that are in a city.

Ecclesiastes 7:17 word by word

אַל־תִּרְשַׁ֥ע הַרְבֵּ֖ה וְאַל־תְּהִ֣י סָכָ֑ל לָ֥מָּה תָמ֖וּת בְּלֹ֥א עִתֶּֽךָ׃Read the interlinear

• Beהָיָהhâyâh · to beH1961
• whyמָהmâh mah mâ ma meh · what?H4100
• dieמוּתmûth · to dieH4191
• timeעֵת‛êth · timeH6256

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 7:17

• Jeremiah 2:33How trimmest thou thy way to seek love! therefore even the wicked women hast thou taught thy ways.
• Ezekiel 8:17Then he said unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here? for they have filled the land with violence, and have turned again to provoke me to anger: and, lo, they put the branch to their nose.
• Ezekiel 16:20Moreover thou hast taken thy sons and thy daughters, whom thou hast borne unto me, and these hast thou sacrificed unto them to be devoured. Were thy whoredoms a small matter,
• James 1:21Wherefore putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
• Genesis 38:7And Er, Judah’s first-born, was wicked in the sight of Jehovah; and Jehovah slew him.
• 1 Samuel 25:38And it came to pass about ten days after, that Jehovah smote Nabal, so that he died.
• Job 15:32It shall be accomplished before his time, And his branch shall not be green.
• Psalms 55:23But thou, O God, wilt bring them down into the pit of destruction: Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; But I will trust in thee.
• Proverbs 10:27The fear of Jehovah prolongeth days; But the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
• Acts 5:5And Ananias hearing these words fell down and gave up the ghost: and great fear came upon all that heard it.
• Acts 12:23And immediately an angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 7:17

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17Be not overmuch wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time? - הרבה תרשע אל al tirsha harbeh . Do not multiply wickedness, do not add direct opposition to godliness to the rest of your crimes. Why should you provoke God to destroy you before your time? Perdition will come soon enough. If you will not turn from your sins, and avoid it finally, yet keep out of it as long as you can. It cannot be supposed, except by those who are…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 15-17Verses 15-17 The days of my vanity - This does not imply that those days of vanity were ended (see Ecclesiastes 1:12 note). The meaning may be best explained by a paraphrase. Solomon states how the wise man should regard the “crooked Ecclesiastes 7:13 work of God” when it bears upon him. He says in effect, “Do not think that thou couldest alter the two instances (described in Ecclesiastes 7:15) of such crooked work so as to make it straight, that thou art…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 11-22Verses 11-22 Wisdom is as good as an inheritance, yea better. It shelters from the storms and scorching heat of trouble. Wealth will not lengthen out the natural life; but true wisdom will give spiritual life, and strengthen men for services under their sufferings. Let us look upon the disposal of our condition as the work of God, and at last all will appear to have been for the best. In acts of righteousness, be not carried into heats or passions, no…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 17Do not be excessively wicked: Foolish wickedness can lead to an early death (for example, 1 Samuel 25).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1717. over much wicked--so worded, to answer to "righteous over much." For if not taken thus, it would seem to imply that we may be wicked a little. "Wicked" refers to "wicked man" (Ec 7:15); "die before thy time," to "prolongeth his life," antithetically. There may be a wicked man spared to "live long," owing to his avoiding gross excesses (Ec 7:15). Solomon says, therefore, Be not so foolish (answering antithetically to "over wise," Ec 7:16), as to run to…Read the comment

Topics related to Ecclesiastes 7:17

• Prudence
• Wicked (People)
• Wisdom

In the dictionaries

• Adversity
• Bosom
• Consider
• Crackling
• Living
• Rest
• Synagogue, the Great
• Wisdom

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 7

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings