Ecclesiastes 8:5-7

8:5 Whoever obeys his ¹  command will not experience harm,

and a wise person ²  knows the proper time ³  and procedure.

8:6 For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter,

for the oppression ⁴  of the king ⁵  is severe upon his victim. ⁶ 

8:7 Surely no one knows the future, ⁷ 

and no one can tell another person what will happen. ⁸ 

[8:5]  ¹ tn The word “his” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for smoothness and clarity.

[8:5]  ² tn Heb “the heart of a wise man.”

[8:5]  ³ tn The term עֵת (’et, “time”) connotes “a proper, suitable time for an event; the right moment” (HALOT 900 s.v. עֵת 6; BDB 773 s.v. עֵת 2.b); e.g., “it was the time for rain” (Ezra 10:13); “a time of judgment for the nations” (Ezek 30:3); “there is an appropriate time for every occasion” (Eccl 3:1); “the time when mountain goats are born” (Job 39:1); “the rain in its season” (Deut 11:14; Jer 5:24); “the time for the harvest” (Hos 2:11; Ps 1:3); “food in its season” (Ps 104:27).

[8:6]  ⁴ tn Heb “evil”; or “misery.”

[8:6]  ⁵ tn Heb “the man.”

[8:6]  ⁶ tn Heb “upon him.”

[8:7]  ⁷ tn Heb “what will be.”

[8:7]  ⁸ tn Heb “Who can tell him what will be?”