Ecclesiastes 8:6
Ecclesiastes 8:6 in Multiple Translations
For there is a right time and procedure to every purpose, though a man’s misery weighs heavily upon him.
¶ Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him.
for to every purpose there is a time and judgment; because the misery of man is great upon him:
For every purpose there is a time and a decision, because the sorrow of man is great in him.
For there's a right time and a right way for everything, even when things are going badly for you.
For to euery purpose there is a time and iudgement, because the miserie of man is great vpon him.
For to every delight there is a time and a judgment, for the misfortune of man is great upon him.
For there is a time and procedure for every purpose, although the misery of man is heavy on him.
Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him.
There is a time and opportunity for every business, and great affliction for man:
Although people experience many troubles/difficulties, there is a right/correct time to do things, and there is a right/correct way to do them.
Berean Amplified Bible — Ecclesiastes 8:6
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Ecclesiastes 8:6 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כִּ֣י
לְ/כָל
חֵ֔פֶץ
יֵ֖שׁ
עֵ֣ת
וּ/מִשְׁפָּ֑ט
כִּֽי
רָעַ֥ת
הָ/אָדָ֖ם
רַבָּ֥ה
עָלָֽי/ו
כִּ֣י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
לְ/כָל
kôl
H3605
all
Prep | N-ms
חֵ֔פֶץ
chêphets
H2656
pleasure
N-ms
יֵ֖שׁ
yêsh
H3426
there
Part
עֵ֣ת
ʻêth
H6256
time
N-cs
וּ/מִשְׁפָּ֑ט
mishpâṭ
H4941
justice
Conj | N-ms
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
רָעַ֥ת
raʻ
H7451
bad
N-fs
הָ/אָדָ֖ם
ʼâdâm
H120
the man (Adam)
Art | N-ms
רַבָּ֥ה
rab
H7227
many
Adj
עָלָֽי/ו
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Ecclesiastes 8:6
כִּ֣י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
לְ/כָל
kôl
H3605
"all"
Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
חֵ֔פֶץ
chêphets
H2656
"pleasure"
N-ms
This word refers to pleasure or delight, often describing something that brings joy or happiness. In the Bible, it can also mean a valuable thing or a desire, like in Psalm 1.
Definition: 1) delight, pleasure 1a) delight 1b) desire, longing 1c) the good pleasure 1d) that in which one takes delight
Usage: Occurs in 38 OT verses. KJV: acceptable, delight(-some), desire, things desired, matter, pleasant(-ure), purpose, willingly. See also: 1 Samuel 15:22; Ecclesiastes 3:1; Psalms 1:2.
יֵ֖שׁ
yêsh
H3426
"there"
Part
This Hebrew word means 'there is' or 'there are', used to show existence or being. It appears in various forms, like 'to be' or 'to have'. In the Bible, it's used in Genesis and Psalms to describe God's presence.
Definition: 1) being, existence, substance, there is or are 1a) substance 1b) existence 1c) there is or are Aramaic equivalent: i.tay (אִיתַי "there is" H0383)
Usage: Occurs in 129 OT verses. KJV: (there) are, (he, it, shall, there, there may, there shall, there should) be, thou do, had, hast, (which) hath, (I, shalt, that) have, (he, it, there) is, substance, it (there) was, (there) were, ye will, thou wilt, wouldest. See also: Genesis 18:24; Nehemiah 5:2; Psalms 7:4.
עֵ֣ת
ʻêth
H6256
"time"
N-cs
Eth means time, especially now or when, and can refer to an event, experience, or occasion. It is often used to describe a specific moment or period.
Definition: 1) time 1a) time (of an event) 1b) time (usual) 1c) experiences, fortunes 1d) occurrence, occasion
Usage: Occurs in 258 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] after, (al-) ways, [idiom] certain, [phrase] continually, [phrase] evening, long, (due) season, so (long) as, (even-, evening-, noon-) tide, (meal-), what) time, when. See also: Genesis 8:11; 2 Chronicles 35:17; Psalms 1:3.
וּ/מִשְׁפָּ֑ט
mishpâṭ
H4941
"justice"
Conj | N-ms
Mishpat means justice or judgment, and is often used to describe God's righteous judgment, as well as human laws and decisions, in books like Deuteronomy and Isaiah.
Definition: : judgement/punishment 1) judgment, justice, ordinance 1a) judgment 1a1) act of deciding a case 1a2) place, court, seat of judgment 1a3) process, procedure, litigation (before judges) 1a4) case, cause (presented for judgment) 1a5) sentence, decision (of judgment) 1a6) execution (of judgment) 1a7) time (of judgment) 1b) justice, right, rectitude (attributes of God or man) 1c) ordinance 1d) decision (in law) 1e) right, privilege, due (legal) 1f) proper, fitting, measure, fitness, custom, manner, plan
Usage: Occurs in 406 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] adversary, ceremony, charge, [idiom] crime, custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due, fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly), (manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order, ordinance, right, sentence, usest, [idiom] worthy, [phrase] wrong. See also: Genesis 18:19; 1 Kings 2:3; Psalms 1:5.
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
רָעַ֥ת
raʻ
H7451
"bad"
N-fs
Ra means bad or evil, referring to moral or natural harm. It describes adversity, affliction, or distress, and is often used to convey a sense of misery or injury.
Definition: : harmful adj 1) bad, evil 1a) bad, disagreeable, malignant 1b) bad, unpleasant, evil (giving pain, unhappiness, misery) 1c) evil, displeasing 1d) bad (of its kind-land, water, etc) 1e) bad (of value) 1f) worse than, worst (comparison) 1g) sad, unhappy 1h) evil (hurtful) 1i) bad, unkind (vicious in disposition) 1j) bad, evil, wicked (ethically) 1j1) in general, of persons, of thoughts 1j2) deeds, actions
Usage: Occurs in 623 OT verses. KJV: adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, [phrase] not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.). See also: Genesis 2:9; Judges 9:57; 2 Kings 21:6.
הָ/אָדָ֖ם
ʼâdâm
H120
"the man (Adam)"
Art | N-ms
Adam was the first human, created by God and mentioned in Genesis 2:19, who married Eve and had sons including Cain, Abel, and Seth.
Definition: The first named man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.2.19; married to Eve (H2332); father of: Cain (H7014B), Abel (H1893) and Seth (H8352); also translated "man" at Gen.2.19,21,23; 3.8,9,20; 5.2; "mankind" at Deu.32.8; "others" at Job.31.33; Another spelling of a.dam (אָדָם "Adam" H0121) man, human being
Usage: Occurs in 526 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person. See also: Genesis 1:26; Judges 18:7; Psalms 8:5.
רַבָּ֥ה
rab
H7227
"many"
Adj
This Hebrew word means a chief or captain, someone in charge. It is used in 2 Samuel 23:19 to describe a great and powerful man. The idea is one of leadership and authority.
Definition: adj 1) much, many, great 1a) much 1b) many 1c) abounding in 1d) more numerous than 1e) abundant, enough 1f) great 1g) strong 1h) greater than adv 1i) much, exceedingly
Usage: Occurs in 443 OT verses. KJV: (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold, things, a time), (ship-)master, mighty, more, (too, very) much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous, populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent). See also: Genesis 6:5; 1 Kings 11:1; Psalms 3:2.
עָלָֽי/ו
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
Study Notes — Ecclesiastes 8:6
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Ecclesiastes 8:6 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ecclesiastes 8:6
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ecclesiastes 8:6
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 8:6
- Trapp's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 8:6
- Ellicott's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 8:6
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 8:6
- Cambridge Bible on Ecclesiastes 8:6
- Barnes' Notes on Ecclesiastes 8:6
- Whedon's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 8:6
- Sermons on Ecclesiastes 8:6
Context — Obey the King
4For the king’s word is supreme, and who can say to him, “What are you doing?”
5Whoever keeps his command will come to no harm, and a wise heart knows the right time and procedure.
6For there is a right time and procedure to every purpose, though a man’s misery weighs heavily upon him.
7Since no one knows what will happen, who can tell him what is to come? 8As no man has power over the wind to contain it, so no one has authority over his day of death. As no one can be discharged in wartime, so wickedness will not release those who practice it.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ecclesiastes 3:1 | To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: |
| 2 | Ecclesiastes 3:17 | I said in my heart, “God will judge the righteous and the wicked, since there is a time for every activity and every deed.” |
| 3 | Ecclesiastes 3:11 | He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men, yet they cannot fathom the work that God has done from beginning to end. |
| 4 | Luke 19:42–44 | and said, “If only you had known on this day what would bring you peace! But now it is hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you when your enemies will barricade you and surround you and hem you in on every side. They will level you to the ground—you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God. ” |
| 5 | Ecclesiastes 7:13–14 | Consider the work of God: Who can straighten what He has bent? In the day of prosperity, be joyful, but in the day of adversity, consider this: God has made one of these along with the other, so that a man cannot discover anything that will come after him. |
| 6 | Luke 17:26–30 | Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man: People were eating and drinking, marrying and being given in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all. It was the same in the days of Lot: People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. But on the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. It will be just like that on the day the Son of Man is revealed. |
| 7 | Isaiah 22:12–14 | On that day the Lord GOD of Hosts called for weeping and wailing, for shaven heads and the wearing of sackcloth. But look, there is joy and gladness, butchering of cattle and slaughtering of sheep, eating of meat and drinking of wine: “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!” The LORD of Hosts has revealed in my hearing: “Until your dying day, this sin of yours will never be atoned for,” says the Lord GOD of Hosts. |
| 8 | Hebrews 3:7–11 | Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness, where your fathers tested and tried Me, and for forty years saw My works. Therefore I was angry with that generation, and I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known My ways.’ So I swore on oath in My anger, ‘They shall never enter My rest.’” |
| 9 | Luke 13:25 | After the master of the house gets up and shuts the door, you will stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ But he will reply, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ |
| 10 | Ecclesiastes 11:9–1 | — |
Ecclesiastes 8:6 Summary
This verse is saying that God has a perfect plan and timing for everything, and we must trust in Him even when things seem tough. It's like when we're waiting for something we really want, but it's not happening yet - we have to trust that God knows what He's doing, just like it says in Psalm 27:14 to wait on the Lord and be brave. Even when we're feeling really down or struggling, God's plan and timing are still at work, and we can have hope in Him, as Romans 8:24 says we were saved in hope, so let's trust in His goodness and timing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that there is a right time and procedure to every purpose?
This means that God has a perfect timing and plan for everything, and we must trust in His sovereignty, as seen in Psalm 31:15, which says our times are in God's hands.
How can we know the right time and procedure for our purposes?
According to Ecclesiastes 8:5, a wise heart knows the right time and procedure, so we must seek wisdom from God, as promised in James 1:5, where it says we can ask for wisdom and He will give it generously.
What role does misery play in this verse?
The verse acknowledges that a man's misery can weigh heavily upon him, but it does not define his purpose or dictate God's timing, as we see in 2 Corinthians 4:17, where our light and momentary troubles achieve for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them.
Is this verse saying that our circumstances determine our purpose?
No, it's saying the opposite - that despite our difficult circumstances, God has a purpose and timing that is not controlled by them, as Romans 8:28 reminds us, that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him.
Reflection Questions
- What are some purposes or dreams that I have been putting off, and how can I trust God's timing for them?
- In what ways has my own misery or difficult circumstances been weighing me down, and how can I find hope in God's sovereignty?
- How can I cultivate a wise heart that knows the right time and procedure for my purposes, as mentioned in Ecclesiastes 8:5?
- What are some things in my life that I am trying to control or hurry along, and how can I surrender them to God's perfect timing?
Gill's Exposition on Ecclesiastes 8:6
Because to every purpose there is time and judgment,.... There is a fit season, and a right and proper manner of doing everything that is to be done; see Ecclesiastes 3:1; which a wise man discerns;
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ecclesiastes 8:6
Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 8:6
There is time and judgment; there is a fit way and season for the happy accomplishment of every business which a man designeth or undertaketh to do, which is known to God, but for the most part hidden from man, as is implied and may be gathered from the following words. See Poole "". Therefore; because there are very few who have that wisdom which is necessary to discern this, as was now said, , and most men do by their ignorance and loss of opportunities deprive themselves of many advantages, and expose themselves to manifold miseries.
Trapp's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 8:6
Ecclesiastes 8:6 Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man [is] great upon him.Ver. 6. Because to every purpose there is time.] Therefore the wise man seeketh after that nick of time, that punctilio of judgment, that he may do everything well, and order his affairs with discretion. A well chosen season is the greatest advantage of any action, which, as it is seldom found in haste, so it is too often lost in delay. Therefore the misery of man is great upon him.] Because he discerns not, apprehends not his fittest opportunity, hence he creates himself a great deal of misery. When Saul had taken upon him to sacrifice, God intimates to him by Samuel, that if he had discerned his time, he might have saved his kingdom. So might many a man his life, his livelihood - nay, his soul. "The men of Issachar" in David’ s days are famous for this, that they "had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do," their posterity are set below stork and swallow for want of this skill, and deeply doomed.
Ellicott's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 8:6
(6) The connecting particles here present difficulties which have not been satisfactorily solved; and it has even been conjectured that some words may have dropped out of the text. The first half of the verse repeats Ecclesiastes 3:1; the second almost verbally Ecclesiastes 6:1; on this account our translation “misery” is to be preferred to “wickedness” as some render it.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 8:6
Verse 6. To every purpose there is time] חפץ chaphets, every volition, every thing that depends on the will of man. He has generally the opportunity to do whatever he purposes; and as his purposes are frequently evil, his acts are so too: and in consequence his misery is great.
Cambridge Bible on Ecclesiastes 8:6
6. Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore] The English conjunctions misrepresent the sequence of thought, and we should read “For to every purpose there is time and judgment, for the misery (or, better, the wickedness) of man …” The wise man waits for the time of judgment, for he knows that such a time must come, and that the evil of the man (i.e. of the tyrant) is great upon him, weighs on him as a burden under which he must at last sink. This seems the most natural and legitimate interpretation, but the sentence is obscure, and has been very differently interpreted. (1) The evil of man (of the oppressor) is heavy upon him (the oppressed). (2) Though there is a time and a judgment, yet the misery of man is great, because (as in the next verse) he knows not when it is to come.
Barnes' Notes on Ecclesiastes 8:6
Because, therefore - , Or, as in Ecclesiastes 8:7, “for.” The possibility of God’s time and judgment being in opposition to a king’s purpose or commandment Ecclesiastes 8:5, suggests the thought that
Whedon's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 8:6
6. Therefore — Should be when, as it often implies time. A time of judgment comes when the misery of man becomes intolerable.
Sermons on Ecclesiastes 8:6
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Dating: God's Way by Joshua Harris | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of living differently in order to avoid negative consequences in relationships. He shares a story about a young boy who cheats |
|
Don't Waste Your Life - Part 1 by John Piper | This sermon emphasizes the importance of not wasting our lives and finding significance, power, and meaning in every moment, even in the midst of pain and suffering. It reflects on |
|
|
(Education for Exultation) if the Lord Wills by John Piper | In this sermon, Pastor John Piper focuses on James 4:13-16 and the importance of humbling ourselves under the sovereignty of God. He addresses the issue of making plans without con |
|
The Power of Kindness by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of kindness in our lives as Christians. He mentions that while people may know the Bible, speak in tongues, or preach, they ma |
|
3) Ministry From Spring Harvest - Chapter 5 by George Verwer | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of understanding the book of Daniel and the changes that Daniel and his followers had to face. The speaker warns against compla |
|
The Eternal Purpose of God - Part 2 by Stephen Kaung | This sermon emphasizes the importance of knowing God's purpose to find meaning in life. It shares a powerful story of a woman who discovered the true meaning of life through unders |
|
|
Don't Waste Your Life - Part 3 by John Piper | This sermon emphasizes the importance of not wasting one's life and the urgency to live a life that is dedicated to Christ and His gospel. It warns against the temptation to waste |