Ecclesiastes 3:16 Meaning and Explanation
“And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →The Preacher sees corruption even where justice and righteousness ought to reign.
What Does Ecclesiastes 3:16 Mean?
The Preacher's gaze drops from the heights of God's eternal work to a painful sight on earth. In the very courts where justice should be done, he finds wickedness; in the place meant for righteousness, he finds iniquity. The world under the sun is bent.
This honest lament refuses to pretend that all is well. The corruption of justice is one of the oldest griefs of God's people, and Scripture never excuses it. Yet by naming the wrong, the Preacher sets the stage for hope: if human courts fail, there must be a higher court. The longing for true justice that this verse stirs is answered only in the God who judges rightly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ecclesiastes 3:16
What does Ecclesiastes 3:16 mean?
The Preacher sees corruption even where justice and righteousness ought to reign.