Ecclesiastes 8:3
Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
Ancient royal courts operated with strict protocol—appearing before kings required careful etiquette (Esther 4:11). Hasty departures could be interpreted as disrespect or treason. Solomon's court included those who wisely navigated royal favor (1 Kings 4:1-6) and those who lost it through folly (1 Kings 2:13-25). The phrase 'he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him' reflects ancient Near Eastern absolute monarchy where royal will was law. However, Israel's covenant theology limited royal authority—even kings answered to divine law (Deuteronomy 17:18-20). The tension between submitting to human authority and maintaining moral integrity remains relevant: Christians must respect authority while refusing to participate in evil (Acts 5:29).
Questions for Reflection
- When facing authority you disagree with, how do you discern between hasty, impulsive resistance and principled, necessary opposition?
- How can you practice the wisdom of 'not standing in an evil thing' by quickly acknowledging and correcting errors rather than defending them?
Analysis & Commentary
Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him. This verse counsels political wisdom in navigating royal courts. The Hebrew bahal (בָּהַל, be hasty) warns against impulsive departure from the king's presence—whether literal (leaving court abruptly) or metaphorical (withdrawing service or loyalty rashly). Hasty reactions often worsen situations wisdom could resolve.
The parallel warning 'stand not in an evil thing' (ta'amod bedavar ra, תַּעֲמֹד בְּדָבָר רָע) counsels against persisting in wrong courses. When you realize you've erred—made a foolish request, taken a wrong position, or offended the king—don't stubbornly defend the mistake. Admit it and correct course. The rationale follows: he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him—royal authority is absolute and resisting it proves futile. This doesn't endorse tyranny but acknowledges political reality: monarchs possess power subjects lack. Wisdom navigates power dynamics with neither cowardice nor foolhardiness. This anticipates New Testament wisdom: be shrewd as serpents, innocent as doves (Matthew 10:16).