10:5 I have seen another 1 misfortune 2 on the earth: 3
It is an error a ruler makes. 4
8:13 But it will not go well with the wicked,
nor will they 5 prolong their 6 days like a shadow, 7
because they 8 do not stand in fear 9 before God.
1 tn The term “another” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation to indicate that this is not the first “misfortune” described by the Teacher. See 5:13, 16; 6:1-2.
2 tn Heb “an evil.”
3 tn Heb “under the sun.”
4 tn Heb “like an error that comes forth from the presence of a ruler.”
5 tn Heb “he.”
6 tn The word “their” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for smoothness.
7 tn The phrase “like a shadow” (כַּצֵּל, katsel) modifies the verb (“prolong”) rather than the noun (“days”). Several English versions misconstrue the line: “he will not prolong his days, [which are] like a shadow” (KJV, ASV); “the man who does not fear God is like a shadow” (NEB); and “he will not prolong his shadowy days” (NAB). It should be rendered “he will not prolong his days like a shadow” (RSV, NRSV, NASB, MLB, NIV). Unlike a shadow that lengthens at sunset, the wicked do not normally live long.
8 tn Heb “he.”
9 tn Heb “they do not fear.”