Ecclesiastes 8:7
Because he is ignorant of things past, and things to come he cannot know by any messenger.
Douay-Rheims 1899
In The King James Version
For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?
In Context
6There is a time and opportunity for every business, and great affliction for man:
Cross References
Esther 5:12And after this he said: Queen Esther also hath invited no other to the banquet with the king, but me: and with her I am also to dine to morrow with the king:
Proverbs 27:1Boast not for to morrow, for thou knowest not what the day to come may bring forth.
Ecclesiastes 3:22And I have found that nothing is better than for a man to rejoice in his work, and that this is his portion. For who shall bring him to know the things that shall be after him?
Ecclesiastes 9:1All these things have I considered in my heart, that I might carefully understand them: there are just men and wise men, and their works are in the hand of God: and yet man knoweth not whether he be worthy of love, or hatred:
Ecclesiastes 10:14A fool multiplieth words. A man cannot tell what hath been before him: and what shall be after him, who can tell him?
Matthew 24:50The lord of that servant shall come in a day that he hopeth not, and at an hour that he knoweth not:
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 →