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Ecclesiastes 8:12

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Ecclesiastes 8:12 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Though a sinner do evil a hundred times, and prolong his [days], yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, that fear before him:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Though a sinner do evil a hundred times, and prolong his [days], yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, that fear before him:
Ecclesiastes 8:12 — American Standard Version

Context — Ecclesiastes 8

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
9All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: [there is] a time wherein one man hath power over another to his hurt.
10So I saw the wicked buried, and they came [to the grave]; and they that had done right went away from the holy place, and were forgotten in the city: this also is vanity.
11Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
12Though a sinner do evil a hundred times, and prolong his [days], yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, that fear before him:
13but 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.
14There is a vanity which is done upon the earth, that there are righteous men unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there are wicked men to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity.
15Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be joyful: for that shall abide with him in his labor [all] the days of his life which God hath given him under the sun.
← Ecclesiastes 8:11Ecclesiastes 8:13 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, etc.] That is ever so many times, a certain number for an uncertain; though he lives in a continued course of sin, being resolved upon the above consideration to give himself a swing to his lusts. The Targum renders it a hundred years; though be should live so long in sin, yet at last should be accursed (<236520>Isaiah 65:20). This and what follows are said to check the boldness and presumption of the sinner upon the patience of God; and to make the people of God easy under the delay of justice, and the prosperity of the wicked; and his [days] be prolonged: or rather, “and he prolongs unto him”f210; that is, God prolongs unto him, not days only, but…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“He says this, lest the sinner should abuse the statement (Ecc 7:15), "A wicked man prolongeth his life." before him--literally, "at His presence"; reverently serve Him, realizing His continual presence.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“His days be prolonged - i. e., in his wickedness Ecclesiastes 8:8. “I” is emphatic, as if to mark the opposition to the “sons of men” Ecclesiastes 8:11. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“8:12-13 Injustice is momentary and does not upset God’s plans for justice (3:16-17; 12:14). In reality, wickedness does not pay.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“a sinner: Ecc 5:16, Ecc 7:15; Kg1 2:5-9, Kg1 21:25, Kg1 22:34, Kg1 22:35; Pro 13:21; Isa 65:20; Rom 2:5; Rom 9:22; Pe2 2:9 surely: Ecc 7:18; Psa 37:11, Psa 37:18, Psa 37:19, Psa 112:1, Psa 115:13; Pro 1:32, Pro 1:33; Isa 3:10, Isa 3:11; Isa 65:13, Isa 65:14, Isa 65:20-24; Mat 25:34, Mat 25:41-46; Luk 1:50 fear before: Ecc 3:14; Ch1 16:30; Psa 96:9 Ecclesiastes 8:13”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“"Because a sinner doeth evil an hundred times, and he becometh old therein, although I know that it will go well with them that fear god, that fear before Him: but it will not go well with the wicked, and he shall not live long, like a shadow; because he feareth not before God." Ewald (whom Heiligst., Elst., and Zckl. follow), as among the ancients, e.g., Mendelssohn, translates Ecc 8:12 : "Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and live long, yet I know," etc. That an antecedent may begin with asher is admissible, Lev 4:22; Deu 18:22; but in the case lying before us, still less acceptable than at Ecc 8:11. For, in the first place, this asher of the antecedent cannot mean "although," but…”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification