BibleWord.ai› Bible› Ecclesiastes› Chapter 8› Verse 13

Ecclesiastes 8:13

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Ecclesiastes 8:13 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “but 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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

but 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.
Ecclesiastes 8:13 — American Standard Version

Context — Ecclesiastes 8

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
16When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes),
← Ecclesiastes 8:12Ecclesiastes 8:14 →
← Full Chapter 8 Ecclesiastes Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But it shall not be well with the wicked, etc.] It shall be ill with him; more is designed than is expressed, (<230311>Isaiah 3:11); in life they have no solid peace and comfort; at death they will be turned into at judgment they will hear the awful sentence, “Go, ye cursed”, and will be in torment to all eternity, (<402541>Matthew 25:41); neither shall he prolong [his] days, [which are] as a shadow: wicked men sometimes do not live out half their days, which, according to the course of nature, and common term of life, they might be thought to live; or if they prolong their days in wickedness, as sometimes they do, (<210715>Ecclesiastes 7:15); yet their days at longest are but a shadow which…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“neither shall he prolong--not a contradiction to Ecc 8:12. The "prolonging" of his days there is only seeming, not real. Taking into account his eternal existence, his present days, however seemingly long, are really short. God's delay (Ecc 8:11) exists only in man's short-sighted view. It gives scope to the sinner to repent, or else to fill up his full measure of guilt; and so, in either case, tends to the final vindication of God's ways. It gives exercise to the faith, patience, and perseverance of saints. shadow-- (Ecc 6:12; Job 8:9).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“A shadow - His life, though it may seem long, yet in truth is but a shadow, which will quickly vanish and disappear. Ecclesiastes 8:14”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“it shall: Job 18:5, Job 20:5, Job 21:30; Psa 11:5; Isa 57:21; Mal 3:18; Mat 13:49, Mat 13:50; Joh 5:29 neither: Psa 55:23; Isa 30:13; Pe2 2:3 as a: Ecc 6:12; Job 7:6, Job 7:7, Job 14:2; Psa 39:5, Psa 144:4; Jam 4:14 Ecclesiastes 8:14”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Ecclesiastes 8 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification