Ecclesiastes 8:7

What does Ecclesiastes 8:7 mean?

A plain-English look at Ecclesiastes 8:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

for he knoweth not that which shall be; for who can tell him how it shall be?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

for he knoweth not that which shall be; for who can tell him how it shall be?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

No one is certain what is to be, and who is able to say to him when it will be?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

For he knoweth not that which shall be, for when it shall be who declareth to him?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Because he is ignorant of things past, and things to come he cannot know by any messenger.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

for he knoweth not that which shall be; for who can tell him how it shall be?

Context

v.6for to every purpose there is a time and judgment; because the misery of man is great upon him:

v.7This passage

v.8There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power over the day of death; and there is no discharge in war: neither shall wickedness deliver him that is given to it.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 24:44

    Therefore be ye also ready; for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh.

  • Ecclesiastes 10:14

    A fool also multiplieth words: yet man knoweth not what shall be; and that which shall be after him, who can tell him?

  • Matthew 24:50

    the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he expecteth not, and in an hour when he knoweth not,

  • Proverbs 24:22

    For their calamity shall rise suddenly; And the destruction from them both, who knoweth it?

  • Matthew 25:6

    But at midnight there is a cry, Behold, the bridegroom! Come ye forth to meet him.

  • Ecclesiastes 6:12

    For who knoweth what is good for man in his life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?

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