Ecclesiastes 7:14
In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.
Original Language Analysis
וּבְי֥וֹם
In the day
H3117
וּבְי֥וֹם
In the day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
1 of 21
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
בְט֔וֹב
be joyful
H2896
בְט֔וֹב
be joyful
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
2 of 21
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
הֱיֵ֣ה
H1961
הֱיֵ֣ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
3 of 21
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בְט֔וֹב
be joyful
H2896
בְט֔וֹב
be joyful
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
4 of 21
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
וּבְי֥וֹם
In the day
H3117
וּבְי֥וֹם
In the day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
5 of 21
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
רְאֵ֑ה
consider
H7200
רְאֵ֑ה
consider
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
7 of 21
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
גַּ֣ם
H1571
גַּ֣ם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
8 of 21
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לְעֻמַּת
the one over against
H5980
לְעֻמַּת
the one over against
Strong's:
H5980
Word #:
11 of 21
conjunction, i.e., society; mostly adverb or preposition (with prepositional prefix), near, beside, along with
עָשָׂ֣ה
also hath set
H6213
עָשָׂ֣ה
also hath set
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
13 of 21
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים
God
H430
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
14 of 21
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
15 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
שֶׁלֹּ֨א
H3808
שֶׁלֹּ֨א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
17 of 21
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִמְצָ֧א
should find
H4672
יִמְצָ֧א
should find
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
18 of 21
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
הָֽאָדָ֛ם
that man
H120
הָֽאָדָ֛ם
that man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
19 of 21
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
Cross References
Ecclesiastes 3:22Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?Ecclesiastes 12:13Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.Ecclesiastes 3:4A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;Deuteronomy 8:3And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.Deuteronomy 28:47Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things;Isaiah 26:11LORD, when thy hand is lifted up, they will not see: but they shall see, and be ashamed for their envy at the people; yea, the fire of thine enemies shall devour them.Psalms 119:71It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.Jeremiah 23:20The anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly.Matthew 9:13But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.James 5:13Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
Historical Context
Ancient wisdom generally promised that righteousness produces prosperity and wickedness brings calamity. Yet experience (and Job's witness) complicated this formula. Ecclesiastes introduces realistic nuance: righteous people face both prosperity and adversity, and God ordains both. This doesn't mean God authors evil, but that He sovereignly permits trials serving His purposes. Joseph recognized this: 'ye thought evil... but God meant it unto good' (Genesis 50:20). Jesus taught that God 'maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust' (Matthew 5:45). Paul learned to be 'content in whatsoever state' (Philippians 4:11). The Reformers emphasized God's comprehensive sovereignty—nothing escapes His governance, and He works all things for His people's good (Romans 8:28).
Questions for Reflection
- How do you respond to prosperity—with grateful joy acknowledging God's gift, or presumptuous self-congratulation?
- How do you respond to adversity—with reflective trust seeking God's purposes, or bitter resentment questioning His goodness?
Analysis & Commentary
The Preacher counsels balanced perspective on providence: 'In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.' The Hebrew 'tovah' (טוֹבָה, prosperity/good day) and 'ra'ah' (רָעָה, adversity/evil day) represent life's ups and downs. The command to 'be joyful' in prosperity and 'consider' (ra'eh, רְאֵה, see/reflect) in adversity gives different counsel for different seasons. God sovereignly ordains both blessing and trial—'set the one over against the other' (zeh le'ummat zeh, זֶה לְעֻמַּת זֶה). The purpose: 'that man should find nothing after him'—humans cannot predict the future or control outcomes. This cultivates dependence on God rather than self-sufficiency. The verse teaches response to providence: receive good with gratitude, hardship with reflection, recognizing God's sovereignty in both.