Ecclesiastes 8:11

Ecclesiastes 8:11 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
• New International Version (NIV)When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, people’s hearts are filled with schemes to do wrong.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

Context of Ecclesiastes 8:11

9While applying my mind to everything that happens in this world, I have seen all this: Sometimes one person dominates other people to their harm. 10Not only that, but I have seen the wicked approaching and entering the temple, and as they left the holy temple, they boasted in the city that they had done so. This also is an enigma. When a sentence is not executed at once against a crime, the human heart is encouraged to do evil. 12Even though a sinner might commit a hundred crimes and still live a long time, yet I know that it will go well with God-fearing people – for they stand in fear before him. 13But it will not go well with the wicked, nor will they prolong their days like a shadow, because they do not stand in fear before God.

Ecclesiastes 8:11 word by word

אֲשֶׁר֙ אֵין־נַעֲשָׂ֣ה פִתְגָ֔ם מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה הָרָעָ֖ה מְהֵרָ֑ה עַל־כֵּ֡ן מָלֵ֞א לֵ֧ב בְּֽנֵי־הָאָדָ֛ם בָּהֶ֖ם לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת רָֽע׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Because sentenceפִּתְגָּםpithgâm · edictH6599
• against an evilרָעָהra‛ râ‛âh · distress: evilH7451
• workמַעֲשֶׂהma‛ăώeh · deedH4639
• is not executedעָשָׂה‛âώâh · to make: doH6213
• speedilyמְהֵרָהmehêrâh · hasteH4120
• therefore the heartלֵבlêb · heartH3820
• of the sonsבֵּןbên · son: childH1121
• of menאָדָם'âdâm · manH120
• is fully setמָלֵאmâlê' mâlâ' · to fillH4390
• evilרַעra‛ râ‛âh · bad: evilH7451

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 8:11

• Exodus 8:15But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and did not listen to them, just as the Lord had predicted.
• Job 21:11They allow their children to run like a flock; their little ones dance about.
• Psalms 10:6He says to himself, “I will never be upended, because I experience no calamity.”
• Psalms 50:21When you did these things, I was silent, so you thought I was exactly like you. But now I will condemn you and state my case against you!
• Isaiah 5:18Those who pull evil along using cords of emptiness are as good as dead, who pull sin as with cart ropes.
• Isaiah 26:10If the wicked are shown mercy, they do not learn about justice. Even in a land where right is rewarded, they act unjustly; they do not see the Lord’s majesty revealed.
• Jeremiah 48:11“From its earliest days Moab has lived undisturbed. It has never been taken into exile. Its people are like wine allowed to settle undisturbed on its dregs, never poured out from one jar to another. They are like wine which tastes like it always did, whose aroma has remained unchanged.
• Matthew 24:49and he begins to beat his fellow slaves and to eat and drink with drunkards,
• Romans 2:4Or do you have contempt for the wealth of his kindness, forbearance, and patience, and yet do not know that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?
• 2 Peter 3:3Above all, understand this: In the last days blatant scoffers will come, being propelled by their own evil urges
• Jeremiah 42:15If you people who remain in Judah do that, then listen to what the Lord says. The Lord God of Israel who rules over all says, ‘If you are so determined to go to Egypt that you go and settle there,

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 8:11

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 11Because sentence - פתגם pithgam, a Divine decree or declaration. This is no Hebrew, but a mere Chaldee word, and occurs only in the later books of the Bible - Esther, Ezra and Daniel, and nowhere else but in this place. Because God does not immediately punish every delinquency, men think he disregards evil acts; and therefore they are emboldened to sin on. So this longsuffering of God, which leadeth to repentance, is abused so as to lead to farther…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 9-13Verses 9-13 Solomon observed, that many a time one man rules over another to his hurt, and that prosperity hardens them in their wickedness. Sinners herein deceive themselves. Vengeance comes slowly, but it comes surely. A good man's days have some substance; he lives to a good purpose: a wicked man's days are all as a shadow, empty and worthless. Let us pray that we may view eternal things as near, real, and all-important.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 9-11In this world, unfairness often wins. It can be frustrating when bad people seem to succeed.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1111. The reason why the wicked persevere in sin: God's delay in judgment (Mt 24:48-51; 2Pe 3:8, 9). "They see not the smoke of the pit, therefore they dread not the fire" [South], (Psa 55:19). Joab's escape from the punishment of his murder of Abner, so far from "leading him to repentance," as it ought (Ro 2:4), led him to the additional murder of Amasa.Read the comment

Topics related to Ecclesiastes 8:11

• Depravity of Man
• God Continued...
• Heart
• Impenitence
• Punishment
• Security
• Wicked (People)

In the dictionaries

• Discern
• Discharge
• Feel
• Hasty
• Heart
• Set
• Ecclesiastes, the Preacher
• Synagogue, the Great

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 8

• 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