Ecclesiastes 8 · Verse 7

Ecclesiastes 8:7

For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?
Ecclesiastes 8:7, King James Version

Ecclesiastes 8:7 in other translations

BSBSince no one knows what will happen, who can tell him what is to come?
WEBFor he doesn’t know that which will be; for who can tell him how it will be?
ASVfor he knoweth not that which shall be; for who can tell him how it shall be?
YLTFor he knoweth not that which shall be, for when it shall be who declareth to him?
DARBYfor he knoweth not that which shall be; for who can tell him how it shall be?
BBENo one is certain what is to be, and who is able to say to him when it will be?
WebsterFor he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?

What does Ecclesiastes 8:7 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
7. he--the sinner, by neglecting times (for example, "the accepted time, and the day of salvation, 2Co 6:2), is taken by surprise by the judgment (Ec 3:22; 6:12; 9:12). The godly wise observe the due times of things (Ec 3:1), and so, looking for the judgment, are not taken by surprise, though not knowing the precise "when" (1Th 5:2-4); they "know the time" to all saving purposes (Ro 13:11).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Ecclesiastes 8:6-8

God has, in wisdom, kept away from us the knowledge of future events, that we may be always ready for changes. We must all die, no flight or hiding-place can save us, nor are there any weapons of effectual resistance. Ninety thousand die every day, upwards of sixty every minute, and one every moment. How solemn the thought! Oh that men were wise, that they understood these things, that they would consider their…

Read the full comment on Ecclesiastes 8:6-8 →

Ecclesiastes 8:7 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

כִּֽי\־ki-forH3588
אֵינֶ֥נּוּ'ei.Ne.nunot heH369
יֹדֵ֖עַyo.De.a'[is] knowingH3045
מַה\־mah-what?H4100
שֶּׁיִּֽהְיֶ֑הshei.yih.Yehthat will it beH1961
כִּ֚יkithatH3588
כַּאֲשֶׁ֣רka.'a.Sherjust asH834
יִֽהְיֶ֔הyih.Yehit will beH1961
מִ֖יmiwho?H4310
יַגִּ֥ידya.Gidwill he tellH5046
לֽוֹ\׃loto <the> him

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Ecclesiastes 8:7

  • Ecclesiastes 10:14

    A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?

  • Ecclesiastes 9:12

    For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.

  • Matthew 24:50

    The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,

  • Ecclesiastes 6:12

    For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?

  • Proverbs 24:22

    For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?

  • Matthew 25:6-13

    And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. …

  • Ecclesiastes 3:22

    Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

  • Matthew 24:44

    Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

  • Proverbs 29:1

    He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3

    But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
he knoweth.
6:12; 9:12; 10:14; Pr 24:22; 29:1; Mt 24:44,50; 25:6-13; 1Th 5:1-3
when. or, how.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Ecclesiastes 8:6

    Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him.

  • Ecclesiastes 8:7

    For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?

  • Ecclesiastes 8:8

    There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 8

Ecclesiastes 8:7 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Porque no sabe lo que ha de ser; y el cuándo haya de ser, ¿quién se lo enseñará?
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		car il ne sait pas ce qui adviendra; car comment cela arrivera, qui le lui déclarera?
German
Elberfelder 1871		denn er weiß nicht, was werden wird; denn wer sollte ihm kundtun, wie es werden wird?
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		quia ignorat præterita, et futura nullo scire potest nuntio.