Ecclesiastes 8:5

“Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing, etc.] Either the commandment of an earthly king, which should be kept, when agreeably to the laws of the nation, and not inconsistent with the commands of God; and such as do observe it “know no evil”f196, as it may be rendered, or no sorrow; they live peaceably and quietly, and enjoy the favour and protection of the government under which they are, and have praise of men; (see <451303>Romans 13:3 <550202>2 Timothy 2:2); or the commandments of the heavenly King, the singular being put for the plural; so the Targum, “whoso keepeth the commandments of the Lord shall know no evil in the world to come.” Nor in this world neither; no evil…”

“feel--experience. time--the neglect of the right "times" causes much of the sinful folly of the spiritually unwise (Ecc 3:1-11). judgment--the right manner [HOLDEN]. But as God's future "judgment" is connected with the "time for every purpose" in Ecc 3:17, so it is here. The punishment of persisting sinners (Ecc 8:3) suggests it. The wise man realizes the fact, that as there is a fit "time" for every purpose, so for the "judgment." This thought cheers him in adversity (Ecc 7:14; Ecc 8:1).”

“Feel - literally, know. The meaning is, “He who obeys the commandment (i. e., the word of the king, Ecclesiastes 8:4), will not be an accomplice in any act of rebellion; and if he be a wise man he discerns (literally knows) that the king’s commandment or action is liable to correction, if it be wrong, in God’s time and by God’s judgment.” Compare Ecclesiastes 3:11, Ecclesiastes 3:17. return to 'Top of Page'”

“The commandment - Solomon passes to a new subject. Shall feel - Shall be delivered from those mischiefs which befal the disobedient. Discerneth - Both when, and in what manner he must keep the commands of God. Ecclesiastes 8:6”

“keepeth: Ecc 8:2; Exo 1:17, Exo 1:20, Exo 1:21; Psa 119:6; Hos 5:11; Luk 20:25; Act 4:19, Act 5:29; Rom 13:5-7; Pe1 3:13, Pe1 3:14 feel: Heb. know a wise: Ecc 2:14, Ecc 10:2; Ch1 12:32; Pro 17:24; Luk 12:56, Luk 12:57; Co1 2:14, Co1 2:15; Phi 1:9, Phi 1:10; Col 1:9; Heb 5:14 Ecclesiastes 8:6”

“"Whoso remaineth true to the commandment will experience nothing evil; and the heart of the wise man will know a time and judicial decision." That by מצוה is here to be understood not the commandment of God, at least not immediately, as at Pro 19:16 (Ewald), but that of the king, and generally an injunction and appointment of the superior authority, is seen from the context, which treats not of God, but of the ruler over a state. Knobel and others explain: He who observeth the commandment engageth not with an evil thing, and the wise mind knoweth time and right. But ידע is never thus used (the author uses for this, בּ עמד), and the same meaning is to be supposed for the repeated ידע: it…”