Ecclesiastes 5:8

“If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of justice in a province, etc.] Which is a very disagreeable sight, but often seen; the poor are oppressed, and judgment and justice perverted, and that in a very violent and flagrant manner, in open courts of judicature, in the several provinces and kingdoms of the world; marvel not at the matter; as though it was some strange and uncommon thing, when nothing is more common: or “marvel not at the will” or “pleasure”f118; that is, of God, who suffers such things to be. So the Targum, Jarchi, and Aben Ezra, interpret it; stumble not at it, nor arraign the wisdom and justice of God; let not that temptation prevail in thee as it…”

“As in Ecc 3:16, so here the difficulty suggests itself. If God is so exact in even punishing hasty words (Ecc 5:1-6), why does He allow gross injustice? In the remote "provinces," the "poor" often had to put themselves for protection from the inroads of Philistines, &c., under chieftains, who oppressed them even in Solomon's reign (Kg1 12:4). the matter--literally, "the pleasure," or purpose (Isa 53:10). Marvel not at this dispensation of God's will, as if He had abandoned the world. Nay, there is coming a capital judgment at last, and an earnest of it in partial punishments of sinners meanwhile. higher than the highest-- (Dan 7:18). regardeth-- (Ch2 16:9). there be higher--plural, that is,…”

“Matter - Rather, purpose (as in the margin, and Ecclesiastes 3:1), referring either to the will of God or to the edict of an oppressive ruler. For he ... they - literally, for high watches over high and the highest over them, i. e., the king in the capital watches over the judge or governor in the province, and God over both. This seems more in harmony with the preceding verses, and more agreeable to the scope of this passage than to understand the passage only of earthly rulers. return to 'Top of Page'”

“If - Here is an account of another vanity, and a sovereign antidote against it. Marvel not - As if it were inconsistent with God's wisdom, and justice, to suffer such disorders. For - The most high God who is infinitely above the greatest of men. Regardeth - Not like an idle spectator, but a judge, who diligently observes, and will effectually punish them. Higher - God: it is an emphatical repetition of the same thing. Ecclesiastes 5:9”

“5:8-9 For every official is under orders from higher up, and matters of justice get lost in red tape and bureaucracy. Even the king milks the land for his own profit! Or For one official watches over another, and higher officials are over them. The land benefits from a king who cultivates the field. The NLT understands these verses to mean that bureaucracy brings oppression rather than justice, all the way up to the king (see also 1 Sam 8:11-18). This should not be surprising because that is how bureaucracies tend to function. Others interpret the verses along the lines of the alternate translation above: The king and his officials provide oversight to restrain injustice and oppression. The…”

“thou seest: Ecc 3:16, Ecc 4:1; Psa 12:5, Psa 55:9, Psa 58:11; Pro 8:17; Hab 1:2, Hab 1:3, Hab 1:13 marvel: Zac 8:6; Jo1 3:13; Rev 17:6, Rev 17:7 matter: Heb. will, or purpose, Isa 10:5-7, Isa 10:12, Isa 46:10, Isa 46:11; Hab 1:12; Act 4:27, Act 4:28; Rom 11:33 for: Isa 57:15; Luk 1:32, Luk 1:35, Luk 1:76 regardeth: Kg1 21:19, Kg1 21:20; Job 20:19-29, 27:8-23; Psa 10:17, Psa 10:18, Psa 12:5, Psa 58:10, Psa 58:11; Psa 82:1, Psa 83:18, Psa 140:11, Psa 140:12; Isa 3:15, Isa 5:7, Isa 59:13-16; Jer 22:17-19; Eze 22:6-14; Amo 5:12, Amo 6:2-6, Amo 6:12, Amo 8:4-7; Mic 2:1-3, Mic 2:9, Mic 3:1-4, Mic 3:9-12; Mic 6:10-13; Zac 7:9-13; Mal 3:5; Jam 2:13, Jam 5:2-7 higher than they: Ch1 21:15, Ch1 21:16;…”

“"If thou seest the oppression of the poor and the robbery of right and of justice in the state, marvel not at the matter: for one higher watches over him who is high; and others are high above both." Like rash, mishpat vatsěděq are also the gen. of the obj.; "robbery of the right and of justice" is an expression not found elsewhere, but not on that account, as Grtz supposes, impossible: mishpat is right, rectitude, and conformity to law; and \]\], judicial administration, or also social deportment according to these norms; גּזל, a wicked, shameless depriving of a just claim, and withholding of the showing of right which is due. If one gets a sight of such things as these in a medinah,…”