King James Version

What Does Ecclesiastes 3:17 Mean?

Ecclesiastes 3:17 in the King James Version says “I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for ...” — study this verse from Ecclesiastes chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.”

Ecclesiastes 3:17 · KJV

Context

15

That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past. that which is past: Heb. that which is driven away

16

And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.

17

I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.

18

I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts. that God: or, that they might clear God, and see, etc

19

For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Amid life's injustices (verse 16), the Preacher affirms divine justice: 'I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.' The Hebrew 'shaphat' (שָׁפַט, judge) indicates both legal judgment and divine governance. Despite earthly injustice, God will ultimately judge all people justly. The phrase 'a time there for every purpose and for every work' echoes 3:1—God has appointed times for judgment and justice. This verse provides theological grounding: though earthly courts fail and injustice prevails temporarily, God's judgment is certain. This anticipates 12:14: 'God shall bring every work into judgment.' The verse teaches that belief in divine justice sustains hope amid earthly injustice, calling believers to patient faith while awaiting God's vindication.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Israel's justice system was imperfect—bribery, favoritism, and oppression occurred (Isaiah 1:23; Amos 5:12). Yet prophets consistently affirmed that God would judge justly (Psalm 96:13; Isaiah 11:3-4). The New Testament confirms this: 'we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ' (2 Corinthians 5:10). Early church martyrs found comfort that God would vindicate them against oppressors. The Reformers emphasized both universal judgment (all face God's bar) and gracious justification (believers judged 'in Christ'). The doctrine of final judgment provides moral framework: justice delayed isn't justice denied; God's accounting is thorough and certain. Modern readers struggling with unpunished evil and unrewarded righteousness find hope that God's judgment will rectify all injustices.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does believing that 'God shall judge the righteous and the wicked' sustain your hope when earthly justice fails?
  2. What specific injustices in your experience or observation require faith in God's eventual judgment rather than immediate resolution?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
אָמַ֤רְתִּֽי1 of 17

“I said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲנִי֙2 of 17
H589

i

בְּלִבִּ֔י3 of 17

“in mine heart”

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

אֶת4 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַצַּדִּיק֙5 of 17

“the righteous”

H6662

just

וְאֶת6 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הָ֣רָשָׁ֔ע7 of 17

“and the wicked”

H7563

morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person

יִשְׁפֹּ֖ט8 of 17

“shall judge”

H8199

to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal

הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים9 of 17

“God”

H430

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

כִּי10 of 17
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

עֵ֣ת11 of 17

“for there is a time”

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

לְכָל12 of 17
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

חֵ֔פֶץ13 of 17

“there for every purpose”

H2656

pleasure; hence (abstractly) desire; concretely, a valuable thing; hence (by extension) a matter (as something in mind)

וְעַ֥ל14 of 17
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כָּל15 of 17
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַֽמַּעֲשֶׂ֖ה16 of 17

“and for every work”

H4639

an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property

שָֽׁם׃17 of 17
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ecclesiastes. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ecclesiastes 3:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ecclesiastes 3:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Corinthians 5:10Ecclesiastes 12:14Ecclesiastes 3:1Matthew 16:27Romans 2:5-10Ecclesiastes 11:9

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