Ecclesiastes 8:7
No one is certain what is to be, and who is able to say to him when it will be?
Bible in Basic English
In The King James Version
For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?
In Context
6For every purpose there is a time and a decision, because the sorrow of man is great in him.
Cross References
Esther 5:12And Haman said further, Truly, Esther the queen let no man but myself come in to the feast which she had made ready for the king; and tomorrow again I am to be her guest with the king.
Proverbs 27:1Do not make a noise about tomorrow, for you are not certain what a day's outcome may be.
Ecclesiastes 3:22So I saw that there is nothing better than for a man to have joy in his work--because that is his reward. Who will make him see what will come after him?
Ecclesiastes 9:1All this I took to heart, and my heart saw it all: that the upright and the wise and their works are in the hand of God; and men may not be certain if it will be love or hate; all is to no purpose before them.
Ecclesiastes 10:14The foolish are full of words; man has no knowledge of what will be; and who is able to say what will be after him?
Matthew 24:50The lord of that servant will come in a day when he is not looking for him, and in an hour of which he has no knowledge,
Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 8:7-9
The Certainty of Death. 6 Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him. 7 For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be? 8 There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it. Solomon had said ( v. 5 ) that a wise man's heart discerns time and judgment, that is, a man's… Read the whole commentary →