Ecclesiastes 8:14 Meaning and Explanation
“There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The Preacher laments the puzzle that the righteous sometimes suffer what the wicked deserve, and the wicked receive what the righteous deserve.
What Does Ecclesiastes 8:14 Mean?
The Preacher returns to one of life's hardest riddles. On this earth the good sometimes meet the fate that seems fit for the evil, and the evil enjoy what the good have earned. He calls this a fleeting, frustrating vapor.
He does not explain the mystery away, and his honesty makes room for our own bewilderment. Yet the very fact that this strikes us as wrong testifies to a deeper justice written on the heart. The believer holds this tension with hope, trusting that God sees what is hidden and will, in His time, set every crooked thing straight.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ecclesiastes 8:14
What does Ecclesiastes 8:14 mean?
The Preacher laments the puzzle that the righteous sometimes suffer what the wicked deserve, and the wicked receive what the righteous deserve.