Ecclesiastes 8:13 Meaning and Explanation
“But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →It will not go well in the end with the wicked, whose days are as fleeting as a shadow, because he has no reverence for God.
What Does Ecclesiastes 8:13 Mean?
The Preacher completes the contrast begun in the previous verse. Whatever the wicked seem to gain, their end is not well, and their life, however long it appears, passes like a shadow across the ground.
The root of their loss is named plainly: they do not fear God. To live without reverence is to build on nothing. The believer hears in this both a warning and a comfort, for a life rooted in the fear of the Lord, though humble and unseen, rests on the only foundation that will stand.
Ecclesiastes 8:13 in the Original Language
tsel (צֵל), 'shadow' -- a fleeting shade, an image of how briefly life passes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ecclesiastes 8:13
What does Ecclesiastes 8:13 mean?
It will not go well in the end with the wicked, whose days are as fleeting as a shadow, because he has no reverence for God.