Ecclesiastes 7:17 Meaning and Explanation
“Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Do not give yourself over to wickedness or folly, for such a course can cut your life short.
What Does Ecclesiastes 7:17 Mean?
Balancing the warning of verse 16, the Preacher turns to the other ditch. He is not granting permission for a little wickedness; rather, in the style of these paired sayings, he warns against plunging into sin and folly as a way of life.
Reckless wickedness courts disaster and can bring a life to an early, self-inflicted end. Folly and sin carry their own destroying weight. The path of life runs between self-righteous pride on one side and reckless sin on the other, and only the fear of God keeps a person steady on it — which is exactly where the next verse turns.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ecclesiastes 7:17
What does Ecclesiastes 7:17 mean?
Do not give yourself over to wickedness or folly, for such a course can cut your life short.