Ecclesiastes 8:12
Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him:
Original Language Analysis
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
1 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
חֹטֶ֗א
Though a sinner
H2398
חֹטֶ֗א
Though a sinner
Strong's:
H2398
Word #:
2 of 19
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
עֹשֶׂ֥ה
do
H6213
עֹשֶׂ֥ה
do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
3 of 19
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
מְאַ֖ת
an hundred times
H3967
מְאַ֖ת
an hundred times
Strong's:
H3967
Word #:
5 of 19
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
וּמַאֲרִ֣יךְ
and his days be prolonged
H748
וּמַאֲרִ֣יךְ
and his days be prolonged
Strong's:
H748
Word #:
6 of 19
to be (causative, make) long (literally or figuratively)
כִּ֚י
H3588
כִּ֚י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
8 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
גַּם
H1571
גַּם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
9 of 19
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
יוֹדֵ֣עַ
yet surely I know
H3045
יוֹדֵ֣עַ
yet surely I know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
10 of 19
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִהְיֶה
H1961
יִהְיֶה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
13 of 19
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
טּוֹב֙
that it shall be well
H2896
טּוֹב֙
that it shall be well
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
14 of 19
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
יִֽירְא֖וּ
which fear
H3372
יִֽירְא֖וּ
which fear
Strong's:
H3372
Word #:
15 of 19
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים
God
H430
הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
16 of 19
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
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
17 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
Psalms 37:11But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.2 Peter 2:9The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:Ecclesiastes 7:15All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness.Ecclesiastes 3:14I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.Romans 9:22What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:Luke 1:50And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.Romans 2:5But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;Matthew 25:34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Historical Context
Wisdom literature wrestled extensively with theodicy—Job, Psalms 37, 49, 73, and Habakkuk all address why the wicked prosper while the righteous suffer. Post-exilic Judaism faced this acutely: faithful remnant returned from exile to poverty and Persian domination while surrounding nations flourished. The Preacher doesn't resolve the tension with easy answers but maintains faith despite observable injustices. Jesus taught similar principles: God sends rain on just and unjust alike (Matthew 5:45), yet ultimate blessing belongs to those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6). The early church suffered while persecutors prospered, yet maintained that 'it shall be well' with God-fearers eternally (Romans 8:28; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).
Questions for Reflection
- When you observe wicked people prospering while righteous people suffer, how do you maintain faith that 'it shall be well' with God-fearers?
- What does 'fearing God' look like practically in circumstances where obedience brings hardship rather than immediate blessing?
Analysis & Commentary
Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged—the Preacher acknowledges empirical reality: persistent sinners often enjoy long life and prosperity. The phrase 'ma'ariykh lo' (מַאֲרִיךְ לוֹ, prolonging his days) indicates extended lifespan despite wickedness, contradicting simplistic retribution theology that always equates righteousness with blessing and sin with immediate punishment.
Yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God—despite observable injustices, the Preacher maintains faith commitment. The emphatic 'yodea ani' (יוֹדֵעַ אָנִי, I know) expresses settled conviction transcending circumstances. 'Fear God' (yare'im et-ha'Elohim, יְרֵאִים אֶת־הָאֱלֹהִים) means reverential awe producing covenant obedience. Ultimate well-being belongs to the God-fearer, not the prosperous sinner—a truth known by faith, not always visible in present circumstances.