Ecclesiastes 3:17
"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."

Commentary

Gill's Exposition

I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked,.... This he considered in his mind, and set it down for a certain truth, and which relieved him under the consideration of the sad perversion of justice; and made him easy under it, and willing to leave things to him that judgeth righteously, and wait his

time when everything that was now wrong would be set right: he knew from reason, from tradition, and from the word of God, that there was a judgment to come, a general, righteous, and eternal one; that this judicial process would be carried on by God himself, who is holy, righteous, just, and true, omniscient, and omnipotent; and, being the Judge of all the earth, would do right; when he would vindicate the righteous, and clear them from all calumnies and charges; acquit and justify them, and condemn the wicked, pass a just sentence on them, and execute it; for there is a time there for every purpose, and for every work; or "then", as Noldius; in the day of the great judgment, as the Targum adds; and which continues to paraphrase the words thus, "for a time is appointed for every business, and for every work which they do in this world they shall be judged there;'' there is a time fixed, a day appointed, for the judgment of the world; though of that day and hour knows no man; yet, it is settled, and will certainly come, Act 17:31 ; and when it is come, every purpose, counsel, and thought of men's hearts, will be made manifest, as well as every work, good or bad, open or secret, yea, every idle word, and men will be judged according to these; see Co1 4:5 , Mat 12:36 .

Source: Gill's Exposition (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (17 words)

H0559 אָמַר
Definition:

1+, etc.;ImperfectיאֹמַרGenesis 31:8+;וַיּאֹ֫מֶרGenesis 1:3+;וַיּאֹמַ֑רGenesis 14:19+; in Job alwaysוַיּאֹ֑מַרJob 3:2+; 3 feminine singularתּאֹמַרGenesis 21:12+;תּאֹמֵר֑Proverbs 1:21; 1singularאֹמַרGe 1+, etc.;ImperfectיאֹמַרGenesis 31:8+;וַיּאֹ֫מֶרGenesis 1:3+;וַיּאֹמַ֑רGenesis 14:19+; in Job alwaysוַיּאֹ֑מַרJob 3:2+; 3 feminine singularתּאֹמַרGenesis 21:12+;תּאֹמֵר֑Proverbs 1:21; 1singularאֹמַרGe

Possible Meanings:
  • lamb (semantic_range)
H0589 אֲנַי
Definition:

17;Genesis 9:9,12 + often Following a participle as its subject (to express mostly either a true present or the futurum instans [immanent future])Genesis 18:17הַמְכַסֶּה אֲנִיAmos I hidingfrom Abraham 17;Genesis 9:9,12 + often Following a participle as its subject (to express mostly either a true present or the futurum instans [immanent future])Genesis 18:17הַמְכַסֶּה אֲנִיAmos I hidingfrom Abraham

Possible Meanings:
  • ships (semantic_range)
  • fleet (semantic_range)
H3820 לֵב
Definition:

15(feminineProverbs 12:25, from influence ofנֶפֶשׁsee De Now)inner man, mind will, heart, absolute and constructלֵבGenesis 8:21239t.;לֶבֿExodus 15:815t.; suffixלִבִּיGenesis 24:45102t.;לִבְּךָExodus 9 15(feminineProverbs 12:25, from influence ofנֶפֶשׁsee De Now)inner man, mind will, heart, absolute and constructלֵבGenesis 8:21239t.;לֶבֿExodus 15:815t.; suffixלִבִּיGenesis 24:45102t.;לִבְּךָExodus 9

Possible Meanings:
  • in the midst of the sea (semantic_range)
H0853 אֵת
Definition:

33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34: 33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34:

Possible Meanings:
  • sign (semantic_range)
H6662 צַדִיק
Definition:

9+; pluralצַדִּיקִיםExodus 23:8+, etc.; —1just, righteous, in government:a.of Davidic king2 Samuel 23:3;צֶמַהּJeremiah 23:5;Zechariah 9:9(""victorious).b.of judges,Ezekiel 23:45;Proverbs 29:2(see Toy; 9+; pluralצַדִּיקִיםExodus 23:8+, etc.; —1just, righteous, in government:a.of Davidic king2 Samuel 23:3;צֶמַהּJeremiah 23:5;Zechariah 9:9(""victorious).b.of judges,Ezekiel 23:45;Proverbs 29:2(see Toy;

H0853 אֵת
Definition:

33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34: 33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34:

Possible Meanings:
  • sign (semantic_range)
H7563 רָשְׁע
Definition:

23+; pluralרְשָׁעִיםIsaiah 13:11+; constructרִשְׁעֵיPsalm 75:93t. feminine singularרְשָׁעָהEzekiel 3:18(strike out Co),Ezekiel 3:19(רָשָׁעCo); —1usually as substantive,one guilty of crime, deserving p 23+; pluralרְשָׁעִיםIsaiah 13:11+; constructרִשְׁעֵיPsalm 75:93t. feminine singularרְשָׁעָהEzekiel 3:18(strike out Co),Ezekiel 3:19(רָשָׁעCo); —1usually as substantive,one guilty of crime, deserving p

Possible Meanings:
  • be wicked (semantic_range)
  • act wickedly (semantic_range)
  • be wicked (semantic_range)
  • act wickedly (semantic_range)
  • be guilty (semantic_range)
H8199 שָׁפַט
Definition:

31+, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיִשְׁמֹּטGenesis 16:5,יִשְׁמּוֺטIsaiah 11:3; 3masculine pluralיִשְׁמְּטוּGenesis 31:53+,יִשְׁמּ֫וּטוּExodus 18:26(Kiיִשְׁמּוּט֫וּ; compare Ges§ 47g), etc.;Infinit 31+, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיִשְׁמֹּטGenesis 16:5,יִשְׁמּוֺטIsaiah 11:3; 3masculine pluralיִשְׁמְּטוּGenesis 31:53+,יִשְׁמּ֫וּטוּExodus 18:26(Kiיִשְׁמּוּט֫וּ; compare Ges§ 47g), etc.;Infinit

Possible Meanings:
  • judge (semantic_range)
H0430 אֱלהִים
Definition:

33; on number of occurrences ofאֵל,אֱלוֺהַּ,אֱלֹהִיםcompare also Nesl. c,)1pluralin number.a.rulers, judges, either as divine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power 33; on number of occurrences ofאֵל,אֱלוֺהַּ,אֱלֹהִיםcompare also Nesl. c,)1pluralin number.a.rulers, judges, either as divine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power

Possible Meanings:
  • divine ones (semantic_range)
  • angels (semantic_range)
  • gods (semantic_range)
H3588 כִּי
Definition:

Phoenicianכ. Probably from the same demonstrative basis found inhere, and in certain pronouns, as Aramaicדֵּךְthis(WSG 110 f.); perhaps also ultimately akin withthat, in order that, andthen, enclitic, Phoenicianכ. Probably from the same demonstrative basis found inhere, and in certain pronouns, as Aramaicדֵּךְthis(WSG 110 f.); perhaps also ultimately akin withthat, in order that, andthen, enclitic,

Possible Meanings:
  • for (semantic_range)
  • when (semantic_range)
  • when (semantic_range)
H6256 עֵת
Definition:

13and (seldom, mostly late)masculineEzra 10:14time(Late Hebrewid.; Phoenicianעת; Assyrianinu, ittu,time; Talmudעַנְתָּא; clearly from a √ענה, but doubtful whether I.׳ע); — absolute׳עHosea 10:12+, cons 13and (seldom, mostly late)masculineEzra 10:14time(Late Hebrewid.; Phoenicianעת; Assyrianinu, ittu,time; Talmudעַנְתָּא; clearly from a √ענה, but doubtful whether I.׳ע); — absolute׳עHosea 10:12+, cons

Possible Meanings:
  • usual time (semantic_range)
  • proper (semantic_range)
  • suitable time (semantic_range)
H3605 כֹּל
Definition:

8 Kt.),noun masculinethe whole, all(Moabite, Phoenician,id.; Aramaicכּוֺל,; Arabic; Sabeanכל, compare DHMEpigr. Denk. 36-38; EthiopicAssyriankullatu) — absoluteכֹּל, constructכֹּלGenesis 2:5,16,20 #NA 8 Kt.),noun masculinethe whole, all(Moabite, Phoenician,id.; Aramaicכּוֺל,; Arabic; Sabeanכל, compare DHMEpigr. Denk. 36-38; EthiopicAssyriankullatu) — absoluteכֹּל, constructכֹּלGenesis 2:5,16,20 #NA

H2656 חֵפֶץ
Definition:

15delight, pleasure; —׳חIsaiah 54:1220t.; suffixחֶפְצְךָIsaiah 58:13etc. + 13 t. suffixes; pluralחֲפָצִיםProverbs 8:11; suffixחֲפָצֶיךָProverbs 3:15;חֲפָצֶ֖ךָIsaiah 58:13—1delight׳אבני חIsaiah 54:12de 15delight, pleasure; —׳חIsaiah 54:1220t.; suffixחֶפְצְךָIsaiah 58:13etc. + 13 t. suffixes; pluralחֲפָצִיםProverbs 8:11; suffixחֲפָצֶיךָProverbs 3:15;חֲפָצֶ֖ךָIsaiah 58:13—1delight׳אבני חIsaiah 54:12de

Possible Meanings:
  • bend down (semantic_range)
H5921 עַל
Definition:

“The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). From the opening verses, עַל marks God’s sovereignty above the chaotic deep, foreshadowing His orderly governance of the “The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). From the opening verses, עַל marks God’s sovereignty above the chaotic deep, foreshadowing His orderly governance of the

Possible Meanings:
  • upon (semantic_range)
  • on account of (semantic_range)
  • to (semantic_range)
H3605 כֹּל
Definition:

8 Kt.),noun masculinethe whole, all(Moabite, Phoenician,id.; Aramaicכּוֺל,; Arabic; Sabeanכל, compare DHMEpigr. Denk. 36-38; EthiopicAssyriankullatu) — absoluteכֹּל, constructכֹּלGenesis 2:5,16,20 #NA 8 Kt.),noun masculinethe whole, all(Moabite, Phoenician,id.; Aramaicכּוֺל,; Arabic; Sabeanכל, compare DHMEpigr. Denk. 36-38; EthiopicAssyriankullatu) — absoluteכֹּל, constructכֹּלGenesis 2:5,16,20 #NA

H4639 מַעֲשֶׂה
Definition:

9deed, work; — absolute׳מGenesis 44:15+, constructמַעֲשֵׂהIsaiah 5:12+; suffixמַעֲשֵׂהוּJudges 13:12+, etc.; pluralמַעֲשִׂיםGenesis 20:9+; constructמַעֲשֵׂיJeremiah 1:16+; suffixמַעֲשָׂיו1 Samuel 19:4 9deed, work; — absolute׳מGenesis 44:15+, constructמַעֲשֵׂהIsaiah 5:12+; suffixמַעֲשֵׂהוּJudges 13:12+, etc.; pluralמַעֲשִׂיםGenesis 20:9+; constructמַעֲשֵׂיJeremiah 1:16+; suffixמַעֲשָׂיו1 Samuel 19:4

H8033 שָׁם
Definition:

8,12;Genesis 11:2,7,31 + often; placed early in sentence for emphasis,Micah 4:10שָׁם תִּנָּצֵ֑לִי,Nahum 3:15;Ezekiel 32:22,24;Psalm 104:26+,וְשָׁם ֗֗֗Genesis 41:12;Exodus 15:27;Numbers 13:22,33 +,שָׁם 8,12;Genesis 11:2,7,31 + often; placed early in sentence for emphasis,Micah 4:10שָׁם תִּנָּצֵ֑לִי,Nahum 3:15;Ezekiel 32:22,24;Psalm 104:26+,וְשָׁם ֗֗֗Genesis 41:12;Exodus 15:27;Numbers 13:22,33 +,שָׁם

Possible Meanings:
  • name (semantic_range)

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