Ecclesiastes 8:9 web — All this have I seen, and applied my mind to every work that is done under the sun. There is a time in which one man ha…

World English Bible

"All this have I seen, and applied my mind to every work that is done under the sun. There is a time in which one man has power over another to his hurt."

— Ecclesiastes 8:9, World English Bible

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Ecclesiastes 8:9 in Other Translations

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Ecclesiastes 8 — Context

6

For there is a time and procedure for every purpose, although the misery of man is heavy on him.

7

For he doesn't know that which will be; for who can tell him how it will be?

8

There is no man who has power over the spirit to contain the spirit; neither does he have power over the day of death. There is no discharge in war; neither shall wickedness deliver those who practice it.

9

All this have I seen, and applied my mind to every work that is done under the sun. There is a time in which one man has power over another to his hurt.

10

So I saw the wicked buried. Indeed they came also from holiness. They went and were forgotten in the city where they did this. This also is vanity.

11

Because 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.

12

Though a sinner commits crimes a hundred times, and lives long, yet surely I know that it will be better with those who fear God, who are reverent before him.

Ecclesiastes 8:9 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Ecclesiastes 8:9 say?
Ecclesiastes 8:9 in the World English Bible reads: “All this have I seen, and applied my mind to every work that is done under the sun. There is a time in which one man has power over another to his hurt.”
Where is Ecclesiastes 8:9 in the Bible?
Ecclesiastes 8:9 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 8, verse 9.
Who wrote Ecclesiastes?
Ecclesiastes is traditionally attributed to Solomon (traditional; identified as "the Preacher, son of David"). It was written c. 940 BC.
What is the book of Ecclesiastes about?
Ecclesiastes is a candid meditation on life "under the sun" — its pleasures, its pains, and its apparent vanity. The Preacher tries wisdom, wealth, work, and pleasure, finds them all empty without God, and concludes that fearing God and keeping his commandments is the whole of man.
What are the major themes of Ecclesiastes?
Ecclesiastes explores themes including Vanity, Time, Meaning, Fear of God, Mortality. These themes shape the meaning and context of Ecclesiastes 8:9.
What translation should I read Ecclesiastes 8:9 in?
Ecclesiastes 8:9 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Ecclesiastes 8:9?
Ecclesiastes 8:9 reads (WEB): “All this have I seen, and applied my mind to every work that is done under the sun. There is a time in which one man has power over another to his hurt.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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