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Ecclesiastes 5:8

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Ecclesiastes 5:8

Verse 8 of 20

Scripture focus

If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for [he that is] higher than the highest regardeth; and [there be] higher than they.

Ecclesiastes 5:8 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Ecclesiastes 5:8

Theological / Devotional

Oppression. Exploitation by a corrupt officialdom is not uncommon. Political schemes rarely prove beneficial to the poor. Solomon himself had been guilty of oppressing the poor in order to advance his own grandiose plans (1 Kings 12:4).

Province. Translated from an Aramaic word meaning the “province” of an empire (see Esther 1:1; Dan. 8:2).

Marvel not. That is, do not be surprised that oppression exists, or disturbed about the fact. It is only to be expected.

Higher. Probably a reference to the various ranks of officials in an Oriental government system, each being required to check and report on the men below him. God, however, observes even the highest of them (see Ps. 33:13-15; Ps. 50:21; Zeph. 1:12).

By SdaBc